Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
216 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

Lib2011-073

Incident date

April 22, 2011

Location

باب العزيزية, Bab Al Azizia, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.871451, 13.172594 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported killed in a NATO airstrike near Tripoli.

Breaking News posted on Twitter: “Libya update: 3 die when NATO airstrike hits parking lot at Gadhafi compound in Tripoli – Govt. spokesman via Reuters.”

Other sources published similar news, referring back to the government spokesperson.

The Huffington post reported that the area was mostly used by the military: “NATO jets hit a target near Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s compound in central Tripoli early on Saturday, which the government described as a car park but which Reuters reporters said looked like a bunker.

Government spokesman Mussa Ibrahim said three people were killed by the “very powerful explosion” near Gaddafi’s Bab al-Aziziyah compound in the early hours of Saturday.

Reuters said cars were parked on the empty land but the area was surrounded by a wall and guarded by watchtowers and soldiers, suggesting it was not simply wasteland.

Its reporters saw two large holes in the ground, where the bombs had torn through a layer of soil, followed by a layer of reinforced concrete, to pierce what appeared to be an underground bunker.” NATO itself said it struck two bunkers on that day in Tripoli but did not mention civilian harm.

According to independent monitors, throughout the NATO campaign civilian casualty numbers provided by the Gaddafi regime were said to be inflated.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Report by BBC Arabic mentioning civilian casualties in Tripoli

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Bab Al Azizia (باب العزيزية),  for which the generic coordinates are: 32.871451, 13.172594. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

NATO forces
  • Mar 8, 2011

  • NATO did not target health or water facilities, including those at military sites, at any time during OUP. On 23 April, there were strikes at five separate deliberate targets including command and control and ammunition bunkers. No known health or water facilities were within the target or weapons effects areas, and post-strike battle damage assessment indicated no collateral damage. In addition, 14 dynamic targets (main battle tanks, missile and rocket launchers, tank carriers, other military vehicles and a military command post) were struck in the Misrata and central regions; assessment by the aircraft delivering the weapon immediately following these strikes gave no indication of collateral damage.

Original strike reports

NATO forces
Official source

In Tripoli: 2 command and control bunkers.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-126

Incident date

July 8, 2011–May 12, 2019

Location

غريان, Gheryan, Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

32.169687, 13.019377 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed in a NATO airstrike on Gheryan, accoring to NPR.

The outlet wrote: “About a block away from the gunfire at the demonstration, it was possible to talk with a shopkeeper without having a government minder present. He gave his name as Ismael and said he and his family have heard bombing in the surrounding area for four straight nights.

That tallies with NATO reports, which say airstrikes in the area have targeted military hardware, such as tanks and rocket launchers. But Ismael says the strikes have also killed civilians. He gestures down the road and says you can still see the craters from a NATO airstrike that hit three cars.

‘Two kilometers, you can see too much hole inside the streets. And two men died there. Two men dead,’ he says.

Ismael says the men killed were civilians. He says his mother and father, who suffer from diabetes, have had to be taken to the hospital because of the stress of the bombing, and his children are afraid. He says he’s heard civilian casualty statistics on the pro-Gadhafi state TV channels.”

NATO did not report any strikes near Gheryan on that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    NATO forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Gheryan (غريان) city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Gheryan are: 32.169687, 13.019377.

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    NATO forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-102

Incident date

June 2, 2011

Location

العزيزية‎ , Aziziya, Jafara, Libya

Geolocation

32.533137, 13.015406 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two police officers were reportedly killed in a NATO airstrike on Aziziya.

Nima Elbagir said on Twitter: “Libya gov tell CNN latest Nato strike hit police station in Aziziya – west of Tripoli – killing 2 police officers. No comment yet from Nato”

Free Libya Page only reported airstrikes around Tripoli but no civilian harm.

NATO itself said it conducted airstrikes near Tripoli and Mizdah but did not mention Aziziya specifically.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the police station (مديرية الأمن بالمدينة) of Azizya (العزيزية‎) being struck,  for which the generic coordinates are: 32.533137, 13.015406. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-055

Incident date

March 30, 2011

Location

خوروم, Khorum, Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

32.169687, 13.019377 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A toddler, the 18-months old Sirajuddin al-Sweisi, was reportedly killed in a NATO airstrike on Brega.

The Boston News wrote: “Nizha Abdel-Salam and her family say her 18-month old son Sirajuddin al-Sweisi was killed when debris pierced the wall of their home as NATO airstrikes hit an ammunition [dump] near their village of Khorum early Tuesday morning.
‘The house shook and there was so much dust everywhere we couldn’t see in front of us,’ she said.

“The family’s account of the child’s death could not be independently confirmed. The Libyan government says more than 100 people have been killed by airstrikes since the international campaign began on March 19. It says the number includes civilians and military personnel, but it has not provided a breakdown.”

In addition, it was mentioned that “some neighbors said there were injuries, but the only death in the town was young al-Sweisi.”

Various sources on social media also reported the death of the infant.

The incident occured at approximately 6:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Sirajuddin al-Sweisi
1 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khorum (خوروم), allegedly located within the vicinity of Gheryan (غريان). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Gheryan are: 32.169687, 13.019377.

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-074

Incident date

April 23, 2011

Location

سبها‎, Sabha, Libya

Geolocation

27.038804, 14.426567 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Dozens of civilians were reportedly injured in a NATO airstrike near Sabha.

A video by Libya Tears showed footage of civilians being treated in a hospital after an alleged  airstrike. The caption reads: “This is what NATO has done to protect civilians with Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973. At the instigation of our brothers and God, the killing of children and the displacement of safe families instil fear in the hearts of children and hit them with the strongest bombs carrying the explosive uranium and destroy everything the people of Libya need.”

NATO did not report conducting any strikes near Sabha on that day.

There is currently no additional public information known for this event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    NATO forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The video allegedly showing the victims

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Sabha (سبها‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 27.038804, 14.426567. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    NATO forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-094

Incident date

May 15, 2011

Location

قصر أبو هادي, Qasr Abu Hadi, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.059497, 16.658901 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was reportedly killed by a NATO airstrike on Qasr Abu Hadi.

The condolence page Sirte Martyrs published a picture of her mother commemorating her death four years later saying: “This is what NATO did with our children. Today marks the fourth anniversary of the martyrdom of the child Rayla Faraj Al-Bast Al-Gaddafi on 15 May 2011, who was described as a ‘martyr of terror’. She was martyred as a result of terror and fear resulting from the bombing of the NATO alliance.”

Other pages published similar posts.

NATO itself reported striking the following targets in the vicinity of Sirte on that day: “2 Surface to Surface Missile Launchers , 1 Self Propelled Artillery Piece, 1 Armoured Personnel Carrier.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rayla Faraj Al-Bast Al-Gaddafi
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Rayla Faraj Al-Bast Al-Gaddafi, allegedly killed by a NATO airstrike in Qasr Abu Hadi on May 15th, 2020 (via Sirte martyrs)
  • Funeral of Rayla Faraj Al-Bast Al-Gaddafi, allegedly killed by a NATO airstrike in Qasr Abu Hadi on May 15th, 2020 (via Sirte martyrs)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Qasr Abu Hadi (قصر أبو هادي),  for which the generic coordinates are: 31.059497, 16.658901. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

NATO forces
Official source

In the vicinity of Sirte: 2 Surface to Surface Missile Launchers , 1 Self Propelled Artillery Piece, 1 Armoured Personnel Carrier.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-193

Incident date

October 2, 2011

Location

مسجد الفرقان, Al Furqan mosque, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.195983, 16.580374 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

During Isha prayers in the evening prayers, an indiscriminate attack was launched on Al Furqan Mosque by NATO, resulted in several injures to worshipers who later were moved to Ibn Sina Hospital in Sirte, in the second of October 2011.

A source affiliated with Gaddafi, against the day 17 in Libya, claims that due to this attack on the mosque, 15 civilians were killed, and dozens were injured.

In the video that was posted on Youtube by Surt Son, the narrator claims that five civilians had been killed.

NATO on that day reported hitting “1 multiple rocket launcher, 1 armed vehicle” in the vicinity of Sirte.

There is no further information currently available.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption translation: "A doctor was injured during evening prayers in the mosque"

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption translation: "Al-Furqan Mosque was hit by a NATO" In the video, the narrator states that the attack took place during Isha (evening) prayer. There is a written caption on the video that states that the attack took place on the third of October; however, the narrator mentions in the beginning of the video that it was taken on October, the second 2011.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Furqan mosque (مسجد الفرقان), for which the coordinates are: 31.195983, 16.580374.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Al Furqan mosque (مسجد الفرقان).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

NATO forces
Official source

In the vicinity of Sirte: 1 multiple rocket launcher, 1 armed vehicle.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-101

Incident date

May 31, 2011

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.886602, 13.190912 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 31st 2011, sources told Al Jazeera of casualties in Tripoli due to NATO bombing in the area. No numbers were provided, and it was unclear if these casualties were civilians or belligerents.

The source said: “NATO renewed its bombing of several locations, including the Libyan capital, Tripoli, at dawn today, which, according to official sources, left material and human losses.”

17th February Revolution Libya mentioned bombardment of a tobacco factory “which is believed to be used as a gathering place for mercenaries and battalions.”

NATO reports airstrikes “in the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Vehicle Storage Facility, 3 Surface-To-Air Missile Launchers”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a tobacco factory being struck in the city of Tripoli (طرابلس‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Tripoli are: 32.886602, 13.190912.

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

NATO forces

31 May: In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Vehicle Storage Facility, 3 Surface-To-Air Missile Launchers.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]