Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

LC103

Incident date

February 17, 2019

Location

مرزق, Murzuq, Libya

Geolocation

25.919023, 13.923895 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was reportedly killed and two children injured in an LNA airstrike on Murzuq.

Arraed wrote: “A source from Murzuq hospital on Sunday reported the arrival of the body of an elderly man killed by LNA bombing, as well as the wounding of two children with shrapnel.

The source, who declined to be named, said that the children are between 6 and 7 years old and were injured by shrapnel, and that they are now stable.”

Libya Al Ahrar published a similar report: “The head of the southern operations force, Hassan Musa, reported that one person was killed and two wounded by airstrikes by the Karama operation [LNA] on Sunday in Murzuq.”

One source published pictures of supposed victims while others showed the impact of the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the aftermath of the strike

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Pictures of the alleged victims
  • Video of the aftermath
  • Another picture of the aftermath of the strike

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Murzuq (مرزق), for which the generic coordinates are: 25.919023, 13.923895. 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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-038

Incident date

March 19, 2019

Location

قاعدة طرابلس وبنغازي ومصراتة وسرت والوطية الجوية, Tripoli, Benghazi, Misurata, Sirte and Al Watyah airbase, Libya

Geolocation

31.155680, 16.555218 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 48 and 64 civilians were killed during the first day of NATO airstrikes in Libya, according to Gaddafi regime media. However, these numbers are heavily contested by non-partisan sources.

Doualia wrote at the time: “Air strikes on several Libyan cities killed 48 people and wounded 150 in ‘civilian areas,’ a statement on Libyan state television said.”

The Telegraph contested these numbers in its own reporting: “Libyan officials said that 64 ‘martyrs”‘ had been hit in the attacks and that the coaltion had targeted military facilities protected by civilians as well as civilian buildings. However claims by one top Gaddafi aide that the hospital and ambulances were filling up were left unsubstantiated.

Security forces reportedly refused to allow journalists access to hospitals or morgues. One woman who had accessed a hospital in Tajoura, a suburb of Tripoli where an anti-aircraft battery was blown up, said nursing staff were preparing beds for wounded but that none had turned up.

Eyewitness said the likelihood of casualties at another target – Mitika airbase in Tripoli – was also low. No ambulance arrived or left the base hours after the hit.”

The Telegraph added: “State television show thousands of human shields congregating at potential targets across the country, including Col Gaddafi’s headquarters in central Tripoli. Tents have been set up around the concrete walls of the heavily defended compounds. Aides continued to bus thousands of loyalists, who were provided with money, food and soft drink, to act as human shields at airports, government buildings and military installations across Libya.”

On this day, NATO strikes were officially reported in Tripoli, Benghazi, Misurata, Sirte and on the Al Watiyah airbase.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    48 – 64
  • Civilians reported injured
    150
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the cities of Tripoli (طرابلس‎), Benghazi (بنغازي‎), Sirte (سرت‎), Misurata (مصراتة), and the Al Watiyah Airbase (الوطية الجوية). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for a middle point between these locations are: 31.155680, 16.555218.

  • Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    48 – 64
  • Civilians reported injured
    150
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC104

Incident date

April 2, 2019

Location

جبل العوينات, Jebel Uweinat, Kufra, Libya

Geolocation

21.900113, 24.966917 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were reported killed in an airstrike on Jebel Uweinat by an unknown belligerent. While the majority of sources said those killed were combatants, the Libya Observer said they were civilians.

It said: “On another level, spokesperson of warlord Khalifa Haftar’s self-styled army, Ahmed Al-Mismari denied that the bombing was coordinated with their forces, describing the four victims as ‘terrorists’.”

Alwasat quoted the LNA spokesperson Ahmed al-Mismari saying that four terrorists were killed in the strike.

Mohammed Mahjoob said five AL Qaeda members were killed.

Mohammed al-Bass named six ISIS members supposedly killed in the attack (four of them pictured below).

Both LNA and US AFRICOM denied responibility for the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Statement by the LNA spokesperson Ahmed al-Mismari on the incident
  • One of the victims supposedly killed in the strike (via Mohammed al-Bass)
  • Another victim supposedly killed in the strike (via Mohammed al-Bass)
  • Another victim supposedly killed in the strike (via Mohammed al-Bass)
  • Another victim supposedly killed in the strike (via Mohammed al-Bass)
  • The vehicle allegedly struck in the incident (via Libya Observer)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Jebel Uweinat (جبل العوينات), for which the generic coordinates are: 21.900113, 24.966917. 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC105

Incident date

April 5, 2019

Location

وادي الهيرة, Wadi al Hira, Jafara, Libya

Geolocation

32.355833, 13.047222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family was reported killed in a GNA airstrike on Wadi Al Hira near Aziziyah.

DMC news said: “The head of the General Command Information Office of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa al-Obeidi, said that a warplane took off from Misurata airfield bombed a house and killed a family in the Aziziyah region, 45 km south of Tripoli.”

The LNA-affiliated 218 TV published a similar report: “A spokesman for the National Army, Major General Ahmad al-Mismari, said that four aircraft launched airstrikes on the Aziziyah area which did not result in any military casualties, but led to the death of a family.”

Sky News Arabia wrote that “activists said one of the raids hit a house, killing several people from a single family.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Picture supposedly showing the aftermath of the strike (via Sky News Arabia)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Wadi Al Hira (وادي الهيرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.355833 13.047222. 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
    4 – 6
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC105a

Incident date

April 6, 2019

Location

وادي الربيع, Wadi al Rabie, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.743819, 13.357047 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian doctor was allegedly killed by LNA shelling on Wadi Al Rabie.

Al Wasat said: “The field medicine center mourned the doctor Ayman Abdel Hamid Al-Haramah, who was killed in the clashes areas south of Tripoli.

The field medicine center said, Saturday, ‘The field medicine and support center mourns the martyr of duty Dr. Ayman Abdel Hamid Al-Haramah, who was martyred this morning Saturday while fulfilling his national and humanitarian duty to save the wounded and injured in the clashes that have taken place in the suburbs of the capital Tripoli since Thursday.'”

Ahmed Al Shar said he was killed by a bullet.

The GNA-led Burkan Al Ghadab operation claimed that his ambulance was targeted by warplanes.

His family later filed a lawsuit against the LNA leader Khalifa Haftar saying: “54. Plaintiff Abdulhameed Al-Harramah’s son, Dr. Ayman Al-Harramah, was always
dedicated and committed to humanitarian work. He worked alongside the Children’s
Hospital as a member of many civil society organizations related to humanitarian
activities.
55. He and his colleagues founded the ‘All Doctors Foundation’ before the revolution of
2011. It provided a variety of services, including the distribution of recordings of
additional lectures that medical students and other students were unable to attend or
have no material resources.
56. On April 6, 2019, in the Spring Valley area, also known in Arabic as ‘Wady Al-
Rabii’, Dr. Ayman al-Harramah was doing his work providing medical care and
saving lives in a civilian field hospital when Defendant Haftar indiscriminately
bombed the hospital, killing Dr. Ayman al-Harramah.
57. Plaintiff Abdulhameed Al-Harramah is grief stricken about the loss of his son.”

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Ayman Abdel Hamid Al-Haramah
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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 attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Ayman Abdel Hamid Al-Haramah, allegedly killed by LNA shelling on Wadi Al Rabie on April 6th, 2020 (via Khaled Kaloul)
  • Ayman Abdel Hamid Al-Haramah, allegedly killed by LNA shelling on Wadi Al Rabie on April 6th, 2020 (via Only Libya)
  • Body of Ayman Abdel Hamid Al-Haramah, allegedly killed by LNA shelling on Wadi Al Rabie on April 6th, 2020 (via Only Libya)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Wadi Al Rabie (الطويشة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.709600, 13.382378. 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 Wadi Al Rabie (الطويشة).

    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
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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 attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC106

Incident date

April 7, 2019

Location

وادي الربيع, Wadi al Rabie, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.709600, 13.382378 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The doctor Jumua Ghouma was reported killed from indiscriminate shelling on Tajoura.

The Times reported: “Another doctor, Jumua Ghouma, was killed while off-duty when a shell fell on his house.”

Abdulrahman Ghummied said his home was in the Wadi al Rabie area of Tajoura.

Khaled Sherif posted that he was the head of the laboratory at the local hospital.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jumua Ghouma
Adult male Doctor killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Wadi Al Rabie (الطويشة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.709600, 13.382378. 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 Wadi Al Rabie (الطويشة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC107

Incident date

April 9, 2019

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 child has reportedly been killed in clashes in Tripoli.

Rahaf Mabrouk Ghoma was killed in the Khallet Al Furjan neighbourhood, according to Only Libya.

Other sources reported similar accounts.

It is unclear whether she was killed by an airstrike or gunfire. Fighting occured between GNA and LNA in the area at the time of the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rahaf Mabrouk Ghoma
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Picture of the victim
  • Another picture of the victim (via Only Libya)

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

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 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ 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]