Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

Lib2011-189

Incident date

September 25–30, 2011

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

32.110714, 20.12455 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was killed by Rebel forces artillery shelling and its mother injured in Sirte, according to the UN.

The report said: “Family members interviewed by the Commission stated that a female relative was injured by shrapnel, and her infant daughter was killed, when her home in Hay al-Dollar was hit by Grad rockets in late September 2011.”

There is currently no further information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

  • UN
    • English
    • English

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Dollar (الدولار) in the city of Benghazi (بنغازي), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.110714, 20.12455. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Dollar (الدولار) in the city of Benghazi (بنغازي).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan rebel forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Libyan rebel forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

  • UN
    • English
    • English

Incident Code

Lib2011-043

Incident date

March 20, 2011

Location

البوابة الرشقية ألجدابيا, Petrol station in the vicinity Eastern gate of Ajdabiya, Al Wahat, Libya

Geolocation

30.769320, 20.261783 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 22nd, 2011, unknown actors killed one civilian and injured another near Ajdabiya, both of the al-Sheikhi family. Ruqaya ‘Abdelghani al-Sheikhi, a 34 year old teacher, was shot and died after being taken to the hospital.

Amnesty states “it has not always been possible to establish whether the people killed or injured were deliberately targeted, or were the victims of indiscriminate or reckless fire, or were caught in the crossfire. In some cases, it has not even been possible to establish whether the shots were fired by al-Gaddafi forces or opposition fighters.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ruqaya ‘Abdelghani al-Sheikhi
34 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a petrol station in the vicinity of Ajdabiya’s eastern gate (البوابة الرشقية ألجدابيا) Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Ajdabiya’s eastern gate are: 30.769320, 20.261783.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-215

Incident date

November 13, 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

Between three and five men were killed in Sirte on November 13, 2011 when they were executed by rebels. A video posted by Echorouk Online on YouTube shows the bodied of at least three dead men and many others with weapons surrounding them.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (3–5 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (3–5 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ028

Incident date

March 29, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.0802474, 18.7866211 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to its Facebook page, an LNA MiG-21 and a MiG-23 targeted an alleged terrorist headquarters in Qawarsheh and completely destroyed it. The strikes took place at 12:10.

At 15:58 the MiG-21 reportedly struck two vessels 150km west off the coast of Benghazi.

At 22:45 the helicopter formation targeted two boats and at 03:25 and 04:55 in the same night it targeted other vessels.
The fate of any civilian crews onboard the vessels remains unknown.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • 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
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC004

Incident date

June 21, 2014

Location

ميناء منطقة رأس الهلال, Ras al Helal Port, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.9106258, 22.1705678 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that the LNA targeted one or two boats off the coast of Ras al Helal. The boat was said to have been completely destroyed and five civilians injured.

According to Libya News, five civilians were wounded, ranging from medium to light injuries, following an aerial bombardment of a marine boat in Ras al Helal, west of Derna. The attack completely destroyed the boat. The wounded were taken to Al Huraish Hospital in the city. A medical source confirmed that the civilians were in a stable condition and that some of them had left the hospital.

Africa Gate News reported that a Libyan air force plane bombed two navigational craft at the port of Ras al Helal (30 km from Derna) carrying arms and ammunition for extremist groups in Benghazi – though this source made no mention of civilian casualties.

However, the source MarBu3tLiByA also reported that five people were wounded in an airstrike which targeted a boat.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports on the incident mention the Ras al Helal Port ( ميناء منطقة رأس الهلال) for which the generic coordinates are: 32.9106258,22.1705678

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
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC145

Incident date

May 24, 2019

Location

أبو سليم, Abu Salim, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.842957, 13.171578 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three people were reportedly injured by indiscriminate artillery shelling on the Abu Salim neighbourhood of Tripoli.

The Municipal Council of Abu Salim published a statement saying: “As a result of the indiscriminate shelling of the Municipality of Abu Salim, a random rocket landed on the main road next to the traffic light. This rocket caused panic among the residents in their cars.
Some civilians (one woman and two young men from one family) were injured.”

Dr. Hatem Ezwai tweeted: “Municipality of Abu Salim announces the injury of a woman and two young men from the same family as a result of a missile hittin them on the airport road.”

Other sources published similar accounts.

Local reports of fighting point at the GNA or the LNA as the perpetrator of the shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Pictures from the site of the incident
  • Video of the aftermath

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Abu Salim (أبو سليم), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.842957, 13.171578. 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 Abu Salim (أبو سليم).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Government of National Accord position on incident
    Not yet assessed

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
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC202

Incident date

September 21, 2019

Location

مشروع الهضبة, Hadaba project, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.838333, 13.175278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family was seriously injured by an Emirati airstrike, according to the rival GNA.

Libya Alahrar TV said: “The media center of Burkan Al Ghadab [GNA] operation reported that a family was seriously injured as a result of the targeting of the United Arab Emirates, supporting Haftar, to residential buildings in the Hadaba project in the capital Tripoli.

The media center added that the family members were admitted to the intensive care unit because of the seriousness of their injuries.”

Tk Yahrouq Kl shy only reported that a residential building was hit by shelling but no civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Damage allegedly resulting from the strike

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Hadaba Project (مشروع الهضبة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.838333, 13.175278. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC229

Incident date

October 28, 2019

Location

جامع محمد الدرة , Mohammed Al Durra Mosque, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.854117, 13.233829 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reportedly injured by GNA artillery shelling on the Fornaj neighbourhood of Tripoli.

Tk Yahrouq Kl shy: “The fall of a mortar shell on a mosque (Al-Durra mosque specifically) in Fornaj opposite Tripoli Medical Center and the injury of a mosque worker, we ask God for safety.”

Afrigate reported the shelling of the mosque without mentioning civilian harm. It further said the LNA media centre was accusing the GNA of being the culprit.

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
    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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Alleged victim of alleged GNA shelling on Tripoli on October 28th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Room damaged because of alleged GNA shelling on Tripoli on October 28th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Room damaged because of alleged GNA shelling on Tripoli on October 28th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Building damaged because of alleged GNA shelling on Tripoli on October 28th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Building damaged because of alleged GNA shelling on Tripoli on October 28th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Mohammad Al Durra Mosque (جامع محمد الدرة) being struck, for which the generic coordinates are: 32.854117, 13.233829. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Government of National Accord 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
    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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (3) [ collapse]