Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

Lib2011-066

Incident date

April 11, 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 April 11th, 2011, three members of the Swaib family were killed, with three other member injured by Gaddafi forces in Misurata. A Facebook post from the page “Libya Only” reported the casualties on April 24th. A young child and his parents were injured, with another four year old child reported dead alongside two male adults.

Libya only reports ” he was injured when he was with his family near the island of Duran Karazaz (Muhammad Jamal Muhammad Swaib), where his grandfather (Muhammad Swaib, who was 63 years old) and his uncle (Hamza Muhammad Swaib, who was 22 years old) were martyred. And his cousin (Aisha Misbah Sweib, who was 4 years old!), And both his father and mother were injured.”

HRW and another page called “Martyrs List” confirmed the casualties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Muhammad Jamal Muhammad Swaib
Child male injured
Muhammad Swaib
63 years old male killed
Hamza Muhammad Swaib
22 years old male killed
Aisha Misbah Swaib
4 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (3) [ collapse]

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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-175

Incident date

September 22, 2011

Location

سرت, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.20892, 16.58866 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At lease one female civilian was injured in Sirte when she was struck by a stray bullet in her home on September 22, 2011 according to a tweet from @libyaalahrartv.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Sirte (سرت‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.20892, 16.58866. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC088

Incident date

September 11, 2018

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

Around four civilians were reported injured because of indiscriminate artillery shelling on the Abu Salim neighbourhood of Tripoli.

The Municipal Council of Abu Salim posted on Facebook about the events: “Shelling on one of the safe houses behind the health complex in the municipality of Abu Salim, causing panic among the residents and some damage to the building. Some civilians walking nearby were injured, three teenagers suffered minor injuries and a driver was seriously injured.

The injured people are at Abu Salim Hospital.”

Ean Libya published a similar report referring to the Council’s statement.

Libya 24 reported: “At dawn, a shell landed on a house behind the health complex in the municipality of Abu Salim. A number of civilians were injured, including a serious injury, in addition to damage to the building.”

Clashes in the previous week between the 7th Brigade and GNA-affiliated militias point at one of them as the perpetrators.

UN envoy Ghassan Salame claimed to know who is behind the shelling in a press conference and said he would disclose it if the shelling continues.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the people injured in the attack (via Abu Salim Municipal Council)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Abu Salim (أبو سليم), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.842957, 13.171578. 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 Abu Salim (أبو سليم).

    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
    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, 7th Brigade

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ051

Incident date

July 2, 2017

Location

بنغازي‎, Municipal hotel, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.136111, 20.070833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various sources reported 17 LNA airstrikes in central Benghazi near the municipal hotel.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

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
    Unknown
  • 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

LC055

Incident date

January 2, 2017

Location

سبها‎, Gwirat al-Mal checkpoint, Sabha, Libya

Geolocation

27.180096, 14.5336246 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in an alleged GNA/Misurata Air Force strike on the road leading to Sabha, local media reported.

According to m.boshgma, “A military aircraft of the Third Force took off from the Tamanhint base and targeted the road leading to the city, injuring civilians”.

AJEL.Ardalsharif.News and krama1951libya published carbon copies of this report.

Anas.zidane.14 also reported civilian casualties. It added that the aim of the strike “was to bomb the army forces and the deputy of the presidential council, Mausi al-Kony”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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
    Government of National Accord
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Gwirat al-Mal checkpoint (قويرة المال) near Sabha (سبها‎). The coordinates for the Gwirat al-Mal checkpoint are 27.180096, 14.5336246.

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
    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
    Government of National Accord
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ013

Incident date

September 28, 2015

Location

بنغازي‎, port, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.110556, 20.043889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported LNA air and artillery strikes in the Sabri and fish market neighbourhoods, and near the cement factory. In addition, a boat allegedly loaded with weapons trying to enter Marissa port was targeted.

There were no known public reports of civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video shows some footages in the battlefield in Benghazi led by LNA including Helicopter attacks (Source: LNA media office)

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
    Unknown
  • 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

LC006

Incident date

November 24, 2014

Location

طرابلس‎: مطار معيتيقة, Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.895041, 13.2785 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As part of a wave of raids on the city (see previous cases) LNA planes reportedly targeted Mitiga airport damaging the building and injuring two civilians – a woman and her daughter.

Alwasat provided the most detail on the event, reporting: “A woman and her daughter were injured on Monday evening [Nov 24th] when a warplane bombed an area near the airport in Tripoli, according to the Middle East News Agency. The victims were transferred to hospital for treatment”.

Other sources including Akhbar, Patrick Markey and RassdNewsN also reported a strike on the airport but made no mention of civilian harm.

Ean Libya published an image (below) reportedly showing demolished civilian homes as a result of the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows the destruction of civilian homes following an alleged LNA air strike on near Mitiga airport, Nov 24th (via Ean Libya)
  • An image shows one of the houses being damaged following an alleged LNA air strike on near Mitiga airport, Nov 24th (via Alwasat)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Tripoli Mitiga International Airport (طرابلس‎ مطار معيتيقة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.895041, 13.2923412. 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
    Unknown
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC167

Incident date

July 17, 2019

Location

عرادة, Arada, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.871846, 13.245006 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was reportedly injured in an LNA artillery strike on the Arada neigbourhood of Tripoli.

Tk Yahrouk kl shy2 said: “A shell fell on the house of Al Zarkani family in the area of Arada near the school of Abdullah bin Masood and there is material damage and a small child injured.”

February TV wrote: “A child was injured when a shell fell on his family’s home in the Arada area of Tripoli.”

In a different post it reported LNA bombing.

An Amnesty International investigation later said: “A week earlier, on 17 July 2019, at about 9.40 in the evening, a “Grad” rocket landed in the courtyard of the al-Zorqani family, injuring a 10-year-old child, Abdelaziz Abdelmola al-Zorqani. His uncle told Amnesty International:

‘The boy was here in the courtyard when a rocket landed and he was injured in the abdomen, the forehead, the left shoulder and the right leg. They were bad injuries. Now he is hospital in Tunis. It was a powerful strike, you can see the damage all around, on the wall of the house and the car. Several sheep were also killed by the shrapnel. What are we supposed to do if we can’t keep safe even in our homes?’

Fragments recovered at the scene by Amnesty International investigators confirm that the weapon was a 122mm 9M22U ‘Grad’ rocket.”

The incident occured at approximately 9:40 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Abdelaziz Abdelmola al-Zorqani
10 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Arada (عرادة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.871846, 13.245006. 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 Arada (عرادة).

    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
    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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]