Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

LQ039

Incident date

January 16, 2017

Location

درنة‎, port, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.763333, 22.654722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An aircraft reportedly struck a boat allegedly belonging to the local militia Saraya Al-Dajjal off the coast of Derna.

The status of any civilian crew on board is currently unknown.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC059

Incident date

February 1, 2017

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi: Ganfouda 12 building complex, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.023611, 20.039722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two sources reported an LNA airstrike in Benghazi’s Ganfouda neighbourhood. A Twitter source said it hit the 12 Building complex.

The Libya Herald reported that soldiers discovered a mass grave in the heavily sieged area: “Soldiers have also today uncovered a mass grave in Ganfouda which contains an unknown number of bodies. Forensic experts are now examining the corpses, some of which appear to be quite recent. It is unclear if the dead are terrorists, civilians or captured members of the LNA.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 20
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Image: Libya Herald

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the 12 buildings in Benghazi, for which the coordinates are: 32.023611 20.039722. 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
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 20
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC060

Incident date

February 9, 2017

Location

قاعدة الجفرة الجوية, Jufra air base, Jufra, Libya

Geolocation

29.203056, 16.0025 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Libya Observer reported that LNA warplanes bombed the Al-Jufra airbase, “killing two and wounding 12.” It was not clear from the report if the victims were civilians or combatants.  

EAN Libya reported that six people were killed and wounded, but again did not provide a breakdown.

Libya News reported that two members of the “Ministry of Defense of the GNA government” were killed and six wounded. Ewan Libya also reported that the dead were “two militants” and said 14 others had been wounded. 218 TV put the number injured at 12. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–14
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image: Against the day 17 shows the aftermath of the airstrikes

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Jufra Air Base (قاعدة الجفرة الجوية), for which the generic coordinates are: 29.203056, 16.0025. 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–14
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ065

Incident date

February 15, 2017

Location

الحدود الليبية المصرية, Libyan-Egyptian border, Libya

Geolocation

29.3223255, 24.7302246 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Social media sources reported airstrikes on ten vehicles allegedly attempting to infiltrate Egypt.

Oded Berkowitz reported that the Egyptian Air Force bombed 10 vehicles “carrying weapons and ammunition near the border with Libya.”

An Alwast News described the incident similarly and cited the Egyptian Air Force as saying all 10 vehicles had been destroyed. A military spokesperson confirmed that they had targeted the vehicles as they allegedly tried to cross the border into Egypt.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Egyptian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC061

Incident date

February 28, 2017

Location

قنفودة, Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.028594, 20.026959 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several sources reported a UAE airstrike in Ganfouda which allegedly killed Omer Ishkal, a former officer of the Gaddafi regime as well as two foreign workers and a child. Iskhal’s status as a combatant is not clear as he was once imprisoned by the Shura Council, then set free, but also sought-after as he refused to leave Benghazi.

The Libya Observer reported that Omer Ishkal – a “former regime officer” – was killed in an airstrike that the Benghazi Shura Council blamed on the UAE.

Several other outlets reported additional deaths. The official outlet of the Benghazi Shura Council reported “foreign workers” were also killed. Benghazi Post reported a child died. Sayidat Tajura said two foreign workers died.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Via Libya Electronic Newspaper killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1–3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Ganfouda (قنفودة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.028594, 20.026959. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Ganfouda (قنفودة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • United Arab Emirates Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1–3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC062

Incident date

March 3, 2017

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi: Ganfouda 12 building complex, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.023611, 20.039722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman reportedly died on March 5th after she sustained severe injuries from shrapnel after an airstrike on March 3rd from what was described as a foreign aircraft.

The aircraft hit the 12 Buildings in Ganfouda approximately on March 3rd in support of the LNA campaign.

Alnabaa reported: “On Sunday, one of the women trapped in Ganfouda district, west of Benghazi, was killed by injuries sustained by foreign air strikes, according to a source from the Benghazi rebel council.

The source said the news channel that the woman spent two days injured after being hit by shrapnel from the bombing of foreign aircraft supporting the Karama militia, which targeted the places of refuge of families in the 12 buildings.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the 12 buildings in Benghazi, for which the coordinates are: 32.023611 20.039722. 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 type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC063

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Location

مدرسة تحرير ليبيا, راس لانوف, Medical Centre, Ras Lanuf, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

30.582425, 18.418298 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various sources reported LNA airstrikes in Libya’s oil crescent. Strikes in all the major oil ports were mentioned but no further details on the exact locations were given, except for one source which said a raid took place in the Ras Lanuf area.

Human Rights Solidarity later said that one strike hit the Ras Lanuf Medical Centre, resulting in the deaths of two or three ambulance drivers and another man who was taking care of a patient. The strike reportedly also caused damage to the hospital building and two ambulance cars outside. Libya Today TV posted images of the damage on Facebook and also said there were casualties.

Manila Bulletin reported that at least nine soldiers were also killed near Sidra and Ras Lanuf.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 men)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Medical Centre (مدرسة تحرير ليبيا) in Ras Lanuf (راس لانوف), for which the generic coordinates are: 30.582425, 18.418298. 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 men)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC064

Incident date

March 12, 2017

Location

راس لانوف, Ras Lanuf: Oil Port, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

30.487363, 18.584418 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An LNA airstrike allegedly killed two security guards at the oil port near Ras Lanuf. The airstrike was reportedly conducted in the evening.

Libya Alkhabar reported: “Commander of the Petroleum Facilities Guard, Brigadier General Idris Bukhmadah, said in a statement from the city of Ras Lanuf that the Guard of Petroleum Facilities follows the National Oil Corporation and has nothing to do with political clashes and conflicts and does not have any combat duties, but rather its duty to secure and facilitate the operations of the National Oil Corporation.”

No further details were provided on the identity of the victims and the locations of the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image: Libya Alkhabar

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Oil Port in Ras Lanuf (راس لانوف), for which the generic coordinates are: 30.487363, 18.584418. 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]