Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

Lib2011-036

Incident date

March 18, 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

On March 18th, 2011, up to 25 civilians were killed and up to 70 more wounded in shelling in Misurata from Gaddafi forces according to multiple sources.

Al-Jazeera reported that shelling from Gaddafi tanks and artillery, combined with Gaddafi snipers, had killed 25 and possibly more, according to a spokesman from the February 17 Youth.

Another source, Al Arabiya, reported 70 wounded in the bombing. However, this count was not verified by other known sources.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • Civilians reported injured
    70
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–25
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–70

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The video shows shellings occurring in Misurata. No targets were identified.

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.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • Civilians reported injured
    70
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–25
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–70

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-106

Incident date

June 7, 2011

Location

باب العزيزية‎ , Bab Al Aziziya, Tripoli, Libya

Airwars assessment

At least 29 civilians were killed by NATO airstrikes on Tripoli, according to the Gaddafi regime.

Al Jazeera noted at the time: “Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said that at least 29 people were killed in 60 air strikes targeting the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Tuesday evening, while Libyan Colonel Muammar Gaddafi pledged in an audio speech today to fight to the death.”

The BBC also quoted the spokesperson. Other sources only mentioned heavy bombardment.

The Sirte Martyrs condolence page later named one victim.

NATO itself declared the following airstrikes on June 7th: “In Tripoli: 5 Command & Control Facilities, 1 Vehicle Storage Facility, 2 Self-Propelled Antiaircraft Guns, 1 Air Surveillance Radar. In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Command & Control Facility.” And Air Cdre Ian Wood said the British RAF had taken part in the strikes on Tripoli on that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Misbah Hassan Nasr Al-Qahsi Gaddafi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 29
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Video showing the alleged victims
  • Video showing the damage of the attack

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes on the Bab Al Aziziya compound (باب العزيزية‎) in the city of Tripoli (طرابلس‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.871944, 13.172222. Structural damage can be seen from the satellite imagery, however we are unable to confirm if all damage occurred from the same event.

  • Reports of the incident mention a series of strikes hitting the Bab Al Aziziya compound (باب العزيزية‎) in the city of Tripoli (طرابلس‎). Structural damage can be seen from the satellite imagery, however we are unable to confirm if all damage occurred from the same event. Left is an image from 7th Mar 2011, and right from 26th Jul 2011.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Gaddafi Forces
Official source

07 JUNE: In Tripoli: 5 Command & Control Facilities, 1 Vehicle Storage Facility, 2 Self-Propelled Antiaircraft Guns, 1 Air Surveillance Radar. In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Command & Control Facility.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 29
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-009

Incident date

February 18, 2011

Location

قرب قاعدة حسين الجويفل في الشحات, Near Hussein Al Jaweifi Military Base, Jabal al Akhdar, Libya

Geolocation

32.804491, 21.876513 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 18th, 2011, Amnesty International reported that two civilians were reported killed at the protests in the Hussein al-Jaweifi military base in Shahat, from soldiers who fired at the protestors. Ruqayya al-Mabrok al-Hassi, an 11 year old girl, was killed as a result of a stray bullet.

Amnesty quotes “A bullet fired from the base struck a building across the main road, killing 12-year-old Roqaya Fawzi Mabrouk as she was looking out of her bedroom window at about 3am.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Roqaya Fawzi Mabrouk
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ruqayya Al-Mabrouk Al-Hassi, who was the first reported child killed in protests. From the February 17th martyrs Facebook page "https://www.facebook.com/259971927376077/photos/a.259986060707997/262449503794986/"

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Hussein Al Jaweifi military base (قاعدة حسني الجويفي العسكرية) in the town of Shahat (شحات), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.804491, 21.876513. 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
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-150

Incident date

August 23, 2011

Location

باب عكاره, Bab Akkara, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.866912, 13.173494 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 15 and 19 men, including three medical personnel, were killed and at least six others were injured between Gargur and the Gaddafi compound at Bab al-Aziziyah in Tripoli on August 23, 2011.

A member of the rebel forces witnessed 15 bodies, all in civilian clothes and all of them handcuffed behind the back with electric cable or handcuffs, being loaded into a truck outside of the Gaddafi compound.

Another witness saw Gaddafi forces stop an ambulance with “17 February” written on the side and shoot the three men on board, two men in medical scrubs and the driver.

Another witness was detained at the same checkpoint and saw a man who had a card identifying him as a Tripoli rebel shot in the head. The witness and his friend were beaten and held in a shop in Bab Aukara where four detainees were already being held and had undergone severe torture. This same witness also witnessed the medical staff being executed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 19
  • (15–19 men3 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Bab Akkara (باب عكاره) neighbourhood of Tripoli (طرابلس‎), the generic coordinates for which are: 32.866912, 13.173494. Reports of the incident also mention a riverbed which runs along the neighbourhood’s southwestern edge. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Bab Akkara (باب عكاره) neighbourhood of Tripoli (طرابلس‎). Reports of the incident also mention a riverbed which runs along the neighbourhood’s southwestern edge.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 19
  • (15–19 men3 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC434

Incident date

July 22, 2022

Location

زاوية الدهماني, Zawiyat Al Dahmani, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.896195, 13.206208 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Civil casualties resulted from unknown shelling of the radio building in Zawiya al-Dahmani on July 22, 2022.

@AnisAbdaljawad reported that shells fell next to the radio station, Zawiya al-Dahmani.

@taqarifatnews quoted the spokesman for the Emergency and Ambulance Service, Osama Ali, who stated that the shelling next to the radio building caused casualties.

No other additional information is available to Airwars at the time.

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
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Zawiyat Al Dahmani (زاوية الدهماني) neighbourhood of Tripoli (طرابلس). The generic coordinates for Zawiyat Al Dahmani are: 32.896195, 13.206208. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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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
    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
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC095

Incident date

September 23, 2018

Location

خلة الفرجان, Khallet Al Furjan, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.795738, 13.217038 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One elderly man from Syria was reportedly injured because of indiscriminate artillery shelling on the Khallet Al Furjan neighbourhood of Tripoli.

The Tripoli Wounded Affairs Administration posted details and pictures on the incident on Facebook: “The field hospital of the Department of Wounded Affairs received on Sunday, September 23, 2018 an injured elderly man from Syria who was injured when a shell fell on his residence in Khallet al-Furjan area. He was given the first aid needed by the field hospital team.”

Ala Kikra, Alwasat and Libyan CNA published similar report referring to the Wounded Affairs Administration’s statement.

Local reports of artillery shelling by the 7th Brigade and GNA-affiliated militias point at one of the parties as the perpetrator.

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
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, 7th Brigade

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of the supposed victim by the Tripoli Wounded Affairs Administration

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Khallet Al Furjan (خلة الفرجان), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.795738, 13.217038. 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 Khallet Al Furjan (خلة الفرجان).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Government of National Accord Assessment:

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

7th Brigade Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    7th Brigade
  • 7th Brigade position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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, 7th Brigade

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ057

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Location

الحدود الليبية المصرية, Libyan-Egyptian border, Libya

Geolocation

29.3223255, 24.7302246 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Egyptian air force destroyed ten vehicles it said were attempting to enter the country from the border with Libya, and which were allegedly smuggling weapons.

According to Arab Today, “The raid was carried out on Wednesday on the basis of information that “criminal elements were preparing to infiltrate” Egypt, said army spokesman Col. Tamer El-Refai in a statement. The officer said that the vehicles were attacked once they entered Egyptian territory, but he did not specify the fate of those in the convoy. Egypt, which has struck terrorist targets inside Libya, regularly warns of a spillover of instability from its lawless western neighbour, a haven of arms and people trafficking.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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
    Egyptian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Egyptian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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
    Egyptian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ033

Incident date

August 3, 2016

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.190547, 16.571441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an alleged friendly fire incident, a US strike in Sirte was reported to have accidentally killed 13 Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous members.

According to Erem News, LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari commented on the incident: “Colonel Ahmed al-Mismari reported the killing of 13 GNA soldiers in a US aircraft by mistake, which was targeting elements of Daesh downtown Sirte.”

Aldalel reported on Facebook that the airstrike targeted a tank which the GNA soldiers were in.

A total of five or six manned and unmanned airstrikes was recorded by various sources.

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
    US Forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces 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
    US Forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]