All Belligerents in Libya, 2011

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

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Incident Code

LC269

Incident date

January 1, 2020

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

One civilian was reported killed and three others including a 70-year-old woman were injured by shrapnel in alleged LNA shelling on the Hadaba Project area in Tripoli, Libya on January 1st, 2020, according to local sources.

The fatality was identified as Issam Wanis Al-Drou’i Al-Warfalli and sources reported that the four civilians might belong to the same family and the mortar had hit their building.

According to the GNA-led Burkan Al Ghadab operation, two young men aged 25 were among the wounded.

Libya Observer reported that “Dozens of indiscriminate shells fell during the past two days on Al-Hadaba neighborhood and Crown Prince Street, as clashes continue to flare up in these neighborhoods.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Issam Wanis Al-Drou’i Al-Warfalli عصام ونيس الدروعي الورفلي
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Old woman injured in the attack on Mashrou’ Al Hadaba allegedly by Haftar forces (via Libya Observer)
  • Issam Wanis Al-Drou’i Al-Warfalli was reported killed in the strike on the Hadaba project area on January 1st (via Tk Yahrouq kl shy)
  • Another picture of the woman injured on January 1st in the Hadaba project area (via Burkan Al Ghadab operation)
  • Another picture of a victim injured on January 1st in the Hadaba project area (via Burkan Al Ghadab operation)

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.

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC299

Incident date

February 18, 2020

Location

ميناء طرابلس, Tripoli: Port, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.90666, 13.186038 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reportedly killed and five more injured by an LNA artillery strike on the Tripoli port area.

Al Wasat said: “According to the media center for Operation Burkan Al Gahdab, Fawzi Onis, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health in the Al-Wefaq government, announced the death of three civilians and the injury of five others.

Witnesses confirmed that shells fell on the main port of Tripoli earlier today, and one of the owners of shops near the port indicated in a statement to the Al Wasat that smoke was rising from several sites that were bombed, benefiting that there were ‘news of the burning of a boat that was anchored in the port.'”

Other sources also reported the death toll provided by the Ministry of Health.

218TV said: “A source familiar with 218 exclusive details revealed the truth about the victims of the National Army’s targeting of the Port of Tripoli last Tuesday, confirming that 3 people were killed, two of them were Turkish officers, one of whom was of high rank, in addition to a Syrian fighter, who were in the Port of Tripoli at the moment of his targeting.”

It added: “In search of confirmation of the news and details provided by the source to 218, the website herdem newes referred to the killing of the Turkish intelligence officer, Colonel Ghazi, the former commander of the Olive Branch and Euphrates Shield operations in Syria, and the injury of a Syrian fighter named a Ayman Mahalli from the Syrian Jarabulus.

The website quoted a source close to the family of the Syrian ‘Ayman Mahalli’ that the latter was working as a translator for the Turkish intelligence officer while they were in Tripoli.

It is noteworthy that the media affiliated with Al-Wefaq rushed to report the death of 3 civilians as a result of the bombing, but the reality of the matter seems to contradict this news, the first of which was written by the prominent leader of the Al-Nawasi Brigade, Muhammad Al-Azhar Abu Daraa, known as the ‘Fund’ in his personal page on Facebook in response to statements regarding the fall of civilians as a result of the bombing.”

218TV also quoted the LNA media office on saying that a weapons cache was hit in the port area. However, ImageSat Intl. provided satellite imagery of the incident which shows smoke rising from cargo near the Turkish vessel.

UNSMIL reported “a number of casualties” sadi that the attack “could have led to a real disaster had the vessel transporting liquefied gas been hit.”

The incident occured around midday.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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
    0–3

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Video of smoke rising from the port
  • Satellite imagery of the incident
  • Smoke rising from Tripoli port after alleged LNA shelling on February 18th, 2020 (via Libya Observer)
  • Smoke rising from Tripoli port after alleged LNA shelling on February 18th, 2020 (via 218TV)
  • Smoke rising from Tripoli port after alleged LNA shelling on February 18th, 2020 (via 218TV)
  • Smoke rising from Tripoli port after alleged LNA shelling on February 18th, 2020 (via 218TV)
  • Smoke rising from Tripoli port after alleged LNA shelling on February 18th, 2020 (via 218TV)
  • Smoke rising from Tripoli port after alleged LNA shelling on February 18th, 2020 (via 218TV)
  • Smoke rising from Tripoli port after alleged LNA shelling on February 18th, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Smoke rising from Tripoli port after alleged LNA shelling on February 18th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Smoke rising from Tripoli port after alleged LNA shelling on February 18th, 2020 (via 218TV)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the port of Tripoli being struck (ميناء طرابلس). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have identified the exact location of the strike at these coordinates: 32.90666, 13.186038. This location is further confirmed by satellite imagery by @ImageSatIntl.

  • Reports of the incident mention the port of Tripoli being struck (ميناء طرابلس). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have identified the exact location of the strike. This location is further confirmed by satellite imagery by @ImageSatIntl.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Evidence of the strike can be seen in a comparison of satellite imagery available. On the left an image from February 8th, 2020, and on the right an image from February 27th, 2020.

    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
    0 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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
    0–3

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC331

Incident date

March 31, 2020

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

Between two and three civilians were allegedly injured by LNA shelling on Abu Salim in Tripoli.

Tk Yahroug Kl shy posted: “A shell just landed in the Al Shaabiya Abu Salim area, and a woman and a child were wounded by shrapnel from my Lord, who greeted and kept everyone safe.”

The Libya Observer said: “Haftar’s rockets fell also on Abu Salim and Mazawgha areas in Tripoli, leaving two civilians injured – one child – according to the mayor of Abu Salim.”

According to Hona Souq Al-Khmies, “a missile has landed in Al Shaabiya area in Abu Salim, injuring two women and a child.”

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
    2–3
  • 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Building damaged by shelling on Abu Salim on March 31st, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Car damaged by shelling on Abu Salim on March 31st, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Building damaged by shelling on Abu Salim on March 31st, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Car damaged by shelling on Abu Salim on March 31st, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Building damaged by shelling on Abu Salim on March 31st, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Shaabiya (الشعبية) area allegedly located within the neighbourhood of Abu Salim (بوسليم). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Abu Salim are: 32.842957, 13.171578.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Abu Salim (أبو سليم).

    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
    2–3
  • 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC361

Incident date

April 21, 2020

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

Two men and a child were killed when artillery shells by an unknown belligerent fell near their homes in Qasr Bin Ghashir, Tripoli district, on April 21st, 2020, according to local sources.

Ramadan Al Shatwi died “after a random shell fell on his farm in Qasr Bin Gashir” on April 21st, according to Tk Yahrouq Kl shy, later adding that his son Abdo Ramadan died alongside him.

Tk Yahrouq Kl shy also reported the death of civilian Khalifa Ali Al-Khuwaildi “after a random shell landed in front of his house in Qasr Bin Gashir area.”

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

Reports of fighting the in area point at GNA or LNA as the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ramadan Al Shtawi رمضان الشتوي
Adult male killed
Abdo Ramadan عبدو رمضان
Child male son of Ramadan Al Shtawi killed

The victims were named as:

Khalifa Ali Al Khuwaildi خليفة علي الخويلدي
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 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 attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Ramadan Al Shtawi died alongside his son Abdo Ramadan after a shell by an unknown belligerent landed on his farm in Qaser Bin Ghashir on April 21st, 2020 (via Tk Yahrouq Kl shy).
  • Presumbably blood on the floor after shells by an unknown belligerent hit residential homes in Qaser Bin Ghashir on April 21st, 2020 (via Tarhouna 24).
  • Damaged residential house in Qaser Bin Ghashir after shelling by an unknown belligerent on April 21st, 2020 (via Tarhouna 24).
  • Damaged front porch of a residential house in Qaser Bin Ghashir after shelling by an unknown belligerent on April 21st, 2020 (via Tarhouna 24).
  • Photo taken inside a residential house in Qaser Bin Ghashir after shelling by an unknown belligerent on April 21st, 2020 (via Tarhouna 24).
  • Building in Qaser Bin Ghashir after shelling by an unknown belligerent on April 21st, 2020 (via Tarhouna 24).
  • Damaged front porch of a residential house in Qaser Bin Ghashir after shelling by an unknown belligerent on April 21st, 2020 (via Tarhouna 24).
  • Damage in Qaser Bin Ghashir after shelling by an unknown belligerent on April 21st, 2020 (via Tarhouna 24).
  • Damaged front porch of a residential house in Qaser Bin Ghashir after shelling by an unknown belligerent on April 21st, 2020 (via Tarhouna 24).

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

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 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 attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC391

Incident date

May 11, 2020

Location

الشويرف, Ash Shwayrif, Jabal Al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

29.979613, 14.260209 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several trucks were reportedly targeted in alleged GNA or Turkish airstrikes near Ash Shwayrif, Jabal Al Gharbi, on May 11th, 2020. One civilian was injured.

Tarhouna24 wrote that Saleh Abu Ghribi, a water tanker truck driver, was injured in alleged Turkish airstrikes. “Men of Al Amamira Al Mujahida Clan” posted photos on Facebook of his severely damaged truck.

@agly1988 reported “shelling by a Turkish drone on a sheep truck loaded with sheep in the area of Ash Shwayrif.”

The Burkan Al Ghadab Operation reported that GNA spokesman Colonel Pilot Muhammad Qununu stated that the “Air Force recently targeted two trucks of fuel transportation in Ash Shwayrif, which were on their way to supply the Haftar terrorist militia in #Adwan_Ali_Tripoli.”

Tripoli 219 reported that Turkish warplanes targeted fuel tanks.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saleh Abu Ghribi صالح بوغريبة
Adult male water tanker truck driver injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    Government of National Accord
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    Other

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The water tank truck of Saleh Abu Ghribi as reportedly targeted in alleged Turkish or GNA airstrikes on May 11th, 2020 (via Men of Al Amamira Al Mujahida Clan on Facebook).
  • The damaged water tank truck of Saleh Abu Ghribi after alleged Turkish or GNA airstrikes on May 11th, 2020 (via Men of Al Amamira Al Mujahida Clan on Facebook).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Ash Shwayrif (الشويرف), for which the generic coordinates are: 29.979613, 14.260209. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Government of National Accord Assessment:

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

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    Government of National Accord
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    Other

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC227a

Incident date

October 24, 2019

Location

مطار الكفرة, Kufra Airport, Kufra, Libya

Geolocation

24.191796, 23.326588 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and one or two reported injured by an explosive remnant of war in Kufra.

Al Wasat said: “Two youths were injured when a shell exploded in the airport neighborhood in the southeastern city of Kufra on Thursday evening, local sources said.

The sources said that the shell was a remnant of the war in the region during the past years, and the explosion wounded two young Omar Saad al-Shamekh and Marei Mohammed al-Sabbagh, who were immediately rescued to the city hospital for treatment.

The same sources pointed out that the two young men have been amputated in the limbs because of the force of the missile explosion, and need urgent surgical intervention.”

Libya’s Channel provided a different account of events: “One person was killed and another injured in the city of Kufra, as a shell exploded left over from the clashes that took place in the city during the past years.

According to the reporter from Libya’s Channel in the city that the two citizens were severely injured by the explosion, and severed limbs, and after being transferred to the hospital, one of them died and the other was given the necessary assistance, explaining that they were trying to remove the shell from its place so as not to harm others, and during the attempt to remove them exploded and transported And then to the city hospital.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Omar Saad al-Shamekh
Adult male injured
Marei Mohammed al-Sabbagh
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Other

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Kufra Airport (مطار الكفرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 24.191796, 23.326588. 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
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Other

Sources (2) [ collapse]