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

LC115a

Incident date

April 14, 2019

Location

عين زارة, Ain Zara, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.820349, 13.266284 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man with uncler combatant status was allegedly killed by indiscriminate LNA shelling on Ain Zara.

Fathi M. El Krewi said: “He had an appointment with the death when the third shell struck and was on a solid ground, which is the paved road … As if someone was following these shells and giving their coordinates in order to fall on the hard ground and hit as many people as possible, including Brigadier General Msaddek.”

Tanasuh reported that he was a retired Brigadier General who “went out to defend the city” due to the incoming LNA attack.

His family later filed a lawsuit against LNA leader Khalifa Haftar claiming: “33. On April 4, 2019 [sic], Msaddek Tunalli was evacuating women and children from an area
being indiscriminately bombed by Haftar’s forces in the in the Ayan Zarah District.
34. Haftar’s forces were randomly shelling the entire area.
35. At approximately 4:45pm, one of the mortars fell on Msaddek Tunalli, killing him.
36. The medical examiner stated that Msaddek Tunalli’s death is a result of multiple
infliction wounds to the head, shoulders, stomach, and arms, which resulted in severe
skull damage and sever damage to the brain and internal bleeding in the brain. The
weapons used were multiple artillery rounds and mortar shells. The heart, lungs and
stomach were severely punctured with internal bleeding as well, which resulted in
loss of oxygen to the brain and suffocation. The right elbow was fractured. The angle
of penetration was from the back, from the right side of the brain and from the back
side of the arms, while the angle of exit was from the stomach area.
37. The medical examiner stated that Msaddek Tunalli’s body was free of alcohol or any
other poisonous substances.
38. The medical examiner found two shrapnel fragments in the front side of Msaddek
Tunalli’s lungs and has preserved them.
39. The indiscriminate shelling was not necessary on behalf of Haftar.
40. The indiscriminate shelling was the direct cause of Msaddek Tunalli’s death.

41. Msaddek Tunalli was a husband to Plaintiff Aida Elzagally and a father to six
children: Plaintiffs Ayah Tunalli, Alaa Tunalli, Abdulhameed Tunalli, Adbulrrauf
Tunalli, Muhammad Tunalli, and Adbuladeem Tunalli.
42. The Plaintiffs named above are not left without a husband and father and the only
financial support.
43. Plaintiffs Ayah Tunalli, Alaa Tunalli, Abdulhameed Tunalli, Adbulrrauf Tunalli,
Muhammad Tunalli, and Adbuladeem Tunalli are severely traumatized by the loss of
their father.
44. Due to the loss of her father, Ayah Tunalli is psychologically unstable and having
nightmares.”

Additionally Riyadh Burshan, Al Jazeera and Ein Libya reported that civilian infrastructure was targeted in the area as a book store of the Ministry of Education was hit and “5 million textbooks burned by the fires of war in Libya”.

The incident occured at 16:45:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • TV report on the incident
  • Book store allegedly targeted by LNA shelling on April 14th, 2019 (via Riyadh Burshan)
  • Book store allegedly targeted by LNA shelling on April 14th, 2019 (via Riyadh Burshan)
  • Book store allegedly targeted by LNA shelling on April 14th, 2019 (via Riyadh Burshan)
  • Book store allegedly targeted by LNA shelling on April 14th, 2019 (via Riyadh Burshan)
  • Msaddek Tunalli, allegedly killed by LNA shelling on April 14th, 2019 (via Bl5a.bl5a)
  • Msaddek Tunalli, allegedly killed by LNA shelling on April 14th, 2019 (via Aiyda Al Tounali)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Ain Zara (عين زارة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.816556 13.267525. 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
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC115

Incident date

April 14, 2019

Location

قصر بن غشير, Qasr Bin Gashir, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.688716, 13.173889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and four civilians were reportedly killed in a GNA airstrike on Qasr Bin Gashir.

Oil Crescent News wrote: “A plane from the Misurata Air College led by a mercenary bombed the Al Dhawahi Al Ahliyya company, leaving three Sudanese workers dead and three injured employees who were present in the building.”

The LNA Spox said four Sudanese workers were killed and also accused a plane from Misurata of conducting the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Pictures allegedly take at the site of the incident
  • More images of the incident
  • Video of the alleged aftermath of the incident

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Qasr Bin Gashir (قصر بن غشير), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.688716 13.173889. 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 type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC114

Incident date

April 14, 2019

Location

سوق الخميس امسيحل, Sog Al Khmies Emsihel, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.526766, 13.223462 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A mother and her daughter were allegedly killed by a GNA airstrike on Sog Al-Khmies Emsihel.

Libya TV showed footage of destroyed houses and said that Nadia and her daughter Samia were killed by bombing.

Mohamed Baaio also reported that Nadia and her daughter were killed.

News Central and Eastern Region added that various members of their family were injured in the attack.

Oil Crescent News, Essam Ali Al-Amami also reported on the incident but said it took place in Sidi as Sa’is which is near Sog Al-Khmies Emsihel.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Nadia
Adult female Mother killed
Samia
Child female Daughter killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the aftermath of the alleged bombing

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sog Al Khmies Emsihel (سوق الخميس امسيحل), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.526766, 13.223462. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC113

Incident date

April 13, 2019

Location

السواني, Al Swani, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.712224, 13.07224 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were reportedly killed by indiscriminate artillery shelling on Al Swani.

Riyadh Burshan said that “on Saturday that 4 civilians were killed after being hit by shrapnel from indiscriminate shelling.”

Arraed news published a similar report.

Local reports indicate that shelling from both GNA and LNA occurred in the area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Swani (السواني), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.712224, 13.07224. 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

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
    4
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC112

Incident date

April 12, 2019

Location

قصر بن غشير, Qasr Bin Gashir, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.688716, 13.173889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Othman Mesbah Akak was reportedly killed by indiscriminate artillery shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir.

Riyadh Burshan said that the died from a shell falling on his house.

Local reporting points at the GNA or the LNA as the perpetrator of the shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Othman Mesbah Akak
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Qasr Bin Gashir (قصر بن غشير), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.688716, 13.173889. 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

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC111

Incident date

April 12, 2019

Location

سوق الخميس امسيحل, Sog Al Khmies Emsihel, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.526766, 13.223462 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An elderly woman was allegedly injured in a GNA airstrike on Sog Al-Khmies Emsihel.

War Information Division posted a video where the injurey was reported.

Huna Sog Al-Khmies said that “the house of Abdul Hamid Al Zaidi” was damaged in the incident and posted pictures of the destruction.

Other sources only reported bombing but no civilian harm.

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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the aftermath

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sog Al Khmies Emsihel (سوق الخميس امسيحل), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.526766, 13.223462. 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

  • 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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC110

Incident date

April 11, 2019

Location

السواني, Al Swani, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.712224, 13.072240 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and 12 civilians were allegedly killed by indiscriminate shelling on Al-Swani.

Tripoli Now reported: “Indiscriminate shelling of innocent people and their homes in Al-Swani axis, which led to the death of two families. Another family was injured and 12 civilians were killed so far.”

Libya Alahrar TV said one civilian was killed in Al-Swani due to shelling by Haftar (LNA) forces. In a video piece it showed the impact of the shelling.

Sputnik News blamed the GNA on the other hand: “Indiscriminate shells targeted civilian homes in the area of ​​Al-Swani southwest of Tripoli by armed forces of the Government of National Accord. The witnesses said that ‘the shells fired indiscriminately on civilian houses in Al-Swani areas in the vicinity resulted in the injury of many civilians.'”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 12
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–20
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man allegedly injured by the shelling (via Tripoli Now)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another man allegedly injured by the shelling (via Tripoli Now)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another man allegedly injured by the shelling (via Tripoli Now)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another man allegedly injured by the shelling (via Tripoli Now)
  • Video showing the aftermath of the strike

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Swani (السواني), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.712224, 13.07224. 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

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
    1 – 12
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–20
  • 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

LC109

Incident date

April 10, 2019

Location

العزيزيه, Aziziyah, Jafara, Libya

Geolocation

32.530949, 13.019391 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A pregnant woman was allegedly killed between Tripoli and Aziziyah by indiscriminate shelling.

Al Mashhad Libya reported that “the border between Aziziyah and Tripoli witnessed violent clashes and a number of rocket-propelled grenades fell on the citizens’ homes, and a pregnant woman was killed when as a missile hit a house.”

Fighting in the area points 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
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the border of Tripoli (طرابلس‎) and Aziziyah (العزيزيه). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Aziziyah are: 32.530949, 13.019391.

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
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]