Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

LC333

Incident date

April 3, 2020

Location

طرابلس‎: مشروع الهضبة, Tripoli: Hadaba project, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.840047, 13.191388 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were allegedly injured by LNA shelling on the Hadaba project area of Tripoli.

The Libya Observer said: Several civilians, including children, were injured in unprovoked firing and shelling by Haftar’s militias on the Hadhaba area, south of Tripoli, on Friday, Mayor of Abu Salim, Abdul Rahman Al-Hamidi has said.”

Libya Alaharar TV reported: “The mayor of Abu Salim Abdul Rahman Al-Hamedi reported that a number of civilians, including children, were injured as a result of Hifter militia shells falling on the homes of citizens in the Al Hadaba Al Qassi area.

Al-Hamidi added in a statement to Al-Ahrar Libya that the injured people were transferred to Al-Khadra Hospital for treatment, noting that a state of panic and panic prevailed among the citizens who seemed unable to make their decision between staying in their homes in implementation of the ban measures or leaving them due to the missiles of Haftar militias, according to him.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Hadaba (الهضبة) and the Al Ghasi (القاسي) neighbourhood. The coordinates for the area between the two of them are: 32.840047 13.191388. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC363

Incident date

April 22, 2020

Location

الدعوة الأسلامية, Al Daoua Al Islamiya, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.8275, 13.116389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A man was reportedly killed in shelling by an unknown belligerent on Al Daoua Al Islamiya on April 22nd, 2020, according to Hona Souq Al-Khmies.

Al Daoua Al Islamiya presumably refers to the Al Daoua Al Islamiya institute or university in Tripoli.

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Daoua Al Islamiya (الدعوة الأسلامية), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.8275, 13.116389. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC394

Incident date

May 13, 2020

Location

طريق السور, Al Sour road, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.881313, 13.219781 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A number of civilians were reported injured in alleged LNA shelling on Az Zawiya street in Tripoli in the midnight on May 14th, 2020 according to local sources.

The Libya Observer said: “Militia groups of warlord Khalifa Haftar showered Tripoli Central Hospital and the surrounding residential areas with rockets early on Thursday leaving 14 people wounded.”

Other sources also reported 14 victims from the incidents at Az Zawiya street and Al Sour road. Airwars cannot cleary attribute the victim names at present so the casualty toll is split up between the LC393 and LC394.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Ahmad Salem
19 years old male injured
Salem Muhammad
20 years old male injured
Aseel Abdul Razzaq
24 years old male injured
Tasneem Abdullah Al-Karat
27 years old female injured
Ahmed Mustafa Aduila
18 years old male injured
Muhammad Mustafa Aduila
19 years old male injured
Ahmed Salem
38 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Images in the aftermath of alleged LNA shelling on Al Sour road in Tripoli on May 14th, 2020 (via urkan Al Ghadab operation).
  • Images in the aftermath of alleged LNA shelling on Al Sour road in Tripoli on May 14th, 2020 (via urkan Al Ghadab operation).
  • Images in the aftermath of alleged LNA shelling on Al Sour road in Tripoli on May 14th, 2020 (via urkan Al Ghadab operation).
  • Images in the aftermath of alleged LNA shelling on Al Sour road in Tripoli on May 14th, 2020 (via urkan Al Ghadab operation).
  • Images in the aftermath of alleged LNA shelling on Al Sour road in Tripoli on May 14th, 2020 (via urkan Al Ghadab operation).
  • Images in the aftermath of alleged LNA shelling on Al Sour road in Tripoli on May 14th, 2020 (via urkan Al Ghadab operation).
  • Aftermath of alleged LNA's shelling on residential areas in Tripoli on May 14th, 2020 (via @Lyobserver)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Al Sour Road (شارع الزاوية), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.881313, 13.219781. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention Al Sour road (طريق السور).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC422

Incident date

October 19, 2020

Location

الجغبوب, Al Jaghboub, Butnan, Libya

Geolocation

29.742500, 24.516944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two fishermen were reported killed in alleged Egyptian airstrikes on Al Jaghboub near the Libyan-Egyptian border on October 19th, 2020, according to local sources.

Libya Al Ahrar wrote that “a security source confirmed that two Libyan fishermen were killed between the Libyan-Egyptian borders as a result of their targeting by the Egyptian warplanes”, identifying the victims as Abdullah Al Ashaibi and Razzaq Al Qatani. The source stated he lost contact with the men before finding their bodies in the Jaghboub desert.

According to the source, “the fishermen had approached the Egyptian border by mistake, even though they had set up their tent inside the Libyan borders”. Libya Al Ahrar posted a short video clip of the reported strike.

The Libyan Observer only reported one death, writing that the strike killed Al Ashaibi when it hit his car. All sources pointed to the Egyptian air force as the responsible belligerent.

According to Libya Observer, a similar incident occurred four years ago: “About four years ago three falconers from the city of Al-Bayda were also targeted by an Egyptian military aircraft in the same area, while the fourth falconer was lucky enough to escape the attack and survived to tell the story.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdullah Al Ashaibi بدالله العشيبي
Adult male killed
Razzaq Al Qatani رزاق القطعاني
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Jaghboub (الجغبوب), for which the generic coordinates are: 29.7425, 24.516944. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Egyptian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Egyptian Military
  • Egyptian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-178

Incident date

September 23, 2011

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.20892, 16.58866 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte.

Nour al din Al Nasser Al Zanki remembered his death in 2015 saying: “Mohammed Khaled Al-Rayani, 6 years, killed 23/9/2011. A shrapnel hit the head in his father’s car.”

Azden.sert also commemorated his death posting a picture of him.

NATO on that day reported hitting “1 Ammunition Storage Facility, 1 Anti Aircraft Gun, 1 Command and Control Node, 2 Armed Vehicles” near Sirte.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Khaled Al-Rayani
6 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Sirte (سرت‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.20892, 16.58866. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

NATO forces
Official source

In the vicinity of Sirte: 1 Ammunition Storage Facility, 1 Anti Aircraft Gun, 1 Command and Control Node, 2 Armed Vehicles

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-059

Incident date

April 1–2, 2011

Location

ككلة, Kikla, Libya

Geolocation

32.062768, 12.6951295 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Pro Gaddafi forces bombed the town of Kikla for two consecutive days, on both April 1st and 2nd 2011 by airstrikes or artillery shelling, which resulted in 30 civilians being killed and dozens being injured according to local and international reports.

France 24 wrote: “One of the residents, who asked not to be named, said, ‘Gaddafi forces have randomly fired dozens of Grad-type shells at the city. The bombing has continued since Friday.’

‘More than 30 people were killed and dozens were injured. Many families left the city. But we have problems evacuating the elderly,’ he added.”

@libya2p0 tweeted similar information.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Other, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kikla (ككلة‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.062768, 12.6951295. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Other, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-025

Incident date

February 26, 2011

Location

ميدان الشهداء, Martyrs' Square, Al Zawiya, Libya

Geolocation

32.752250, 12.718912 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 26th, 2011, 50 civilians were reported killed and another 50 wounded as a result of heavy artillery shelling on the city of al-Zawiya by Gaddafi forces. Thirty of the wounded were taken to another location, though no other information was provided about casualties.

Al-Jazeera was the only source to report on the strike, quoting a local resident as stating that “mercenaries loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi killed at least 50 civilians in heavy artillery shelling during violent clashes last night with opponents of the regime, while about 50 others were wounded and 30 people were taken to an unknown destination.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Martyrs’ Square (ميدان الشهداء ) being struck in the city of Zawiya (الزاوية‎), for which the general coordinates are: 32.752250, 12.718912. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-015

Incident date

February 20, 2011

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.112582, 20.082151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 20th, 2011, between 15 and 18 people were killed by Gaddafi security forces in Benghazi. France24 and Wiki news reported the casualty counts, with Al Jazeera Youtube showing a picture of civilian bodies.

France24 reports “some of the security men detained by the protesters were apparently foreign mercenaries. The channel said earlier that security forces shot at funeral mourners, killing 15 people.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 18
  • Civilians reported injured
    100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Benghazi (بنغازي‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.112582, 20.082151. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 18
  • Civilians reported injured
    100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (3) [ collapse]