All Belligerents in Libya, 2011

Mourners in Majer, Libya in 2011 following a NATO airstrike which killed at least 34 civilians, according to multiple reports. Image courtesy of Sidney Kwiram/ Human Rights Watch

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

Incident Code

Lib2011-210

Incident date

October 30, 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

According to a single source, 48 people were killed and 50 injured by an airstrike on Sirte. It is unclear who conducted the attack and if the victims were civilians.

Magical_Libya tweeted: “Urgent Libya Al-Sumud A correspondent of Libya Al-Samoud said in Sirte that about 48 people were killed and 50 wounded in a missile strike targeting a building in the city.”

There is currently no further information available.

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
    0 – 48
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–50
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–48
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–50

Sources (1) [ 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.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces 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
    0 – 48
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–50
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–48
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–50

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-138

Incident date

August 9, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.374457, 15.087794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 16 people, identified as Egyptian workers, were killed by Gaddafi forces on August 9, 2011 in Misrata according to Abdul Asallak’s post on YouTube and a tweet by @tounsiahourra.

Multiple sources stated that those killed were Egyptian workers who worked in a warehouse in the Kararim area of Misrata. A video posted by Abdul Asallak’s on YouTube shows more than 10 dead bodies in a pile.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Misurata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.374457, 15.087794. 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
    16
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC426

Incident date

July 9, 2021

Location

سيدي حسين, Sid Hussein, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.112797, 20.070677 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the first reported civilian harm event involving explosive weapons use in Libya since March, several outlets said that four civilians had been injured by shelling from an unknown party on the Sidi Hussein neighbourhood of Benghazi. The injured were taken for treatment at the al-Jalaa Hospital.

The hospital released the following statement: “Doctors of Al-Jalaa Hospital, Benghazi, received four injured as a result of the shelling that occurred in the Sidi Hussein area, according to the injured. Three of them received first aid and left the hospital, while the other was accommodated in one of the departments.”

Photographs from the scene showed several cars damaged by the shell. It was unclear which party or faction might have conducted what appeared to be a random attack. Libya Alahrar noted concerns about “armed militia and random shooting” in the city.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Vehicles damaged by a shell from an unknown party, Benghazi, July 9th 2021 (via Bengazi24)
  • Vehicles damaged by a shell from an unknown party, Benghazi, July 9th 2021 (via Bengazi24)
  • Vehicles damaged by a shell from an unknown party, Benghazi, July 9th 2021 (via Bengazi24)
  • Vehicles damaged by a shell from an unknown party, Benghazi, July 9th 2021 (via Bengazi24)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Sidi Hussein (سيدي حسين), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.112797, 20.070677. 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 Sidi Hussein (سيدي حسين).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown 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
    4
  • 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
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ063

Incident date

December 10, 2017

Location

بنغازي‎, Municipal hotel, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.123611, 20.070833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Civilian infrastructure in Benghazi was targeted by LNA strikes, according to local sources
Libya Today TV reported that an LNA strike in central Benghazi – in the Akhribesh area – resulted in the destruction of “infrastructure and public and private property of citizens.”

Ayon Benghazi reported strikes in the vicinity of a hotel, and several other outlets reported strikes in Akhribesh.

At the moment there are no monitored reports of civilian casualties.

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 (5) [ 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ034a

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi: Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A UAE reportedly targeted a residential area in Benghazi.

Libya Alahrar TV reported: “Al-Saraya Media Center: a foreign aircraft without a pilot targeted a house inhabited by a family in Ganfouda in Benghazi.”

Nosa posted on Twitter that “so far four air raids have been launched by the UAE UAV on Ganfouda and the Chinese buildings.”

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
    United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

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
    Unknown
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ024

Incident date

February 8, 2016

Location

درنة‎, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.757426, 22.637601 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A Libyan Air Force MIG-23 was shot down in the Sidi Khalid area, 35 km West of Derna, after conducting airstrikes in Derna according to various sources. Apparently, the plane had shelled the 400 neighbourhoods in retaliation for the killing of civilians on February 7th.

The Libya Observer reported that the Derna Shura Council, which had been targeted by the plane, downed it. The pilot Younis Al-Dinali made it out alive. He claimed that the jet crashed due to a technical malfunction.

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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video shows A Libyan Air Force MIG-23 that was shot down in the Sidi Khalid area

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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ007a

Incident date

April 24, 2015

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Libya

Airwars assessment

Dawa Alhaq reported a GNC/Libya Dawn airstrike in Sirte likely resulting in civilian harm: “A military aircraft belonging to the ‘Dawn of Libya’ militia, backed by Libya’s brothers who control Tripoli, launched air strikes on Thursday night on sites in the city of Sirte.
‘A Libyan warplane launched several air strikes on the sites of the Islamic state in the city on Thursday evening,’ a local official in Sirte said on condition of anonymity.
Among the targets targeted by the fighter, the complex is Ouagadougou, the centre of the city, which the fighters of the state take command and control headquarters.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    General National Congress (GNC)

Sources (1) [ collapse]

General National Congress (GNC) Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    General National Congress (GNC)
  • General National Congress (GNC) position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    General National Congress (GNC)

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC101a

Incident date

February 2–10, 2019

Location

درنة, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.75591, 22.637772 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman was reportedly injured by indiscrimiate artillery shelling in the Old City of Derna.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) wrote in its report: “Since 2 February, fighting in the old city of Derna intensified, and reportedly resulted in substantial numbers of civilian casualties. While it remains impossible to verify casualty numbers, the UN have received credible reports of the deaths of at least four women and three infants since last Saturday. On 9 February, the UN received reports that the LNA had taken over most of the old city, encircling houses which were still occupied. The same day, the Libyan Red Crescent, on 9 February, recovered three unidentified male corpses from inside the old city. Unconfirmed reports indicate that up to 30 individuals had been injured, including one woman who was reportedly hit by indiscriminate shelling. Reports of arbitrary detention have been received- and the Grenada prison is reportedly already hosting some 2,000 individuals from Derna, with local sources reporting that the inmates are being deprived of water and food.”

The current situation in Derna is difficult to track as the city is cut off from all communication. Occasional reports point at LNA airstrikes and artillery shelling as well as air support from Egypt and the UAE.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Derna (درنة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.75591, 22.637772. 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]