Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

Lib2011-160

Incident date

September 10, 2011

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.112582, 20.082151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Dozens of people (between 24 to 36) people were killed in Benghazi on September 10, 2011 when they were demonstrating their support of Bani Walid according to a Facebook posts from Ahmed Azzawi Mahmoud and Fedayeen Muammar Gaddafi in southern Tunisia

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 36
  • 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
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Benghazi (بنغازي‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.112582, 20.082151. 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
    24 – 36
  • 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
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC437

Incident date

May 31, 2023

Location

العجيلات, Al Ajailat, Libya

Geolocation

32.756951, 12.360506 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian named Ali Balkour was killed by alleged Government of National Unity (Turkish) drone strikes on the Al Shabika area in the city of Al Ajailat on May 31, 2023.

A tweet from @aleasima_17 reported that three raids in the Al Shabika area resulted in the death of Ali Balkour inside a wine factory. Other sources published similar information on the location of the strikes and the casualty.

Multiple local sources identified a drone as being used in the attack, with @TaqrftA blaming a Turkish drone.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Balkour
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Al Zawiya Al Hadath 24

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Ajailat (العجيلات), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.756951, 12.360506. 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 status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ053

Incident date

July 22, 2017

Location

درنة الفتايح, Al Fatayah, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.733611, 22.645278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various local sources reported an LNA MiG-23 bombing various locations in Derna, including Hajaj, Al-Fatayih and the Hossein neighbourhood.

Emhona 99’s Twitter feed carried pictures of what it said was a civilian farmhouse damaged in the strike. And Libya News noted: “News reports close to the Karama operation said the bombing targeted what it described as terrorist group sites, while bloggers from the city published pictures that said they showed the great destruction of civilian homes and vehicles.”

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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ005

Incident date

December 11, 2014

Location

ابوكماش, Abu Kammash, Nuqat al Khums, Libya

Geolocation

33.073889, 11.751667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported an airstrike in Abu Kammash without naming the belligerent. There were no reports of civilian harm.

According to Hafez Muammar, a plane bombed a citizen’s farm near the residential buildings in Abu Kamash area, without causing casualties or material damage. The sound of the missile explosion terrified the residents of the area, who were surprised by the bombing of this farm, which is very close to the residential buildings.

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
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown 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
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC192

Incident date

September 9, 2019

Location

صلاح الدين, Salaheddin, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.846389, 13.161667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A Hungarian photojournalist was reportedly injured in an LNA or Emirati airstrike on the Salaheddin neighbourhood of Tripoli. However, pro-LNA sources claim he was in fact abducted by the GNA.

The Libya Observer said: “A Hungarian journalist working for RTL TV was wounded in a drone strike by warlord Khalifa Haftar’s UAE-backed air force in south Tripoli last night.”

The GNA Burkan Al Ghadab operation claimed that “Hungarian photojournalist Szabó Gergely of RTL TV was injured in the bombing of the UAE air force supporting the rebel war criminal Haftar in the Salaheddin axis and was taken for medical treatment.”

Oded Berkowitz tweeted: “Pro-LNA sources claim that Szabó Gergely Hoang Viet, a journalist from Hungary, was kidnapped from his hotel in Tripoli, while GNA sources claim he was wounded in a UAE airstrike and evacuated for medical treatment.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Szabó Gergely Hoang Viet
Adult male Photojournalist injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Szabó Gergely Hoang Viet, allegedly injured by a drone strike on September 9th, 2019 (via Oded Berkowitz)
  • Szabó Gergely Hoang Viet, allegedly injured by a drone strike on September 9th, 2019 (via Oded Berkowitz)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Salaheddin (صلاح الدين), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.846389, 13.161667. 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 Salaheddin (صلاح الدين).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • United Arab Emirates Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • 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
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC224

Incident date

October 23, 2019

Location

شارع الأصفاح, Al Asfah Road, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.725327, 13.101276 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and three civilians were allegedly killed in an LNA airstrike on Al-Swani or the Ramla neighbourhood of Tripoli.

Anadolu Agency reported: “Two civilians were killed and three others wounded in a bombardment of warplanes in support of retired Major General Khalifa Hafter, targeting the Al-Swani neighbourhood south of Tripoli, the GNA announced on Wednesday.

The forces of the internationally recognized government in a statement published by the media center for the operation Burkan Al Ghadab that the warplanes of Hafter today targeted civilian homes behind the fighting lines in the area of ​​Al Asfah district of Al-Swani.

He added that the shelling killed two civilians, one of them an imam of a mosque, and wounded three others.”

Libya Alahrar TV also reported two civilian deaths.

Al Wasat reported a higher death toll: “Amin al-Hashemi, media adviser of the GNA, said that three citizens were killed and eight others injured in an aerial bombardment on Al-Asfah Street in Ramla, near the airport road in the capital Tripoli.”

Hona Souq Al-Khmies said three died and another three were wounded and named the victimis.

The GNA-led Burkan Al Ghadab operation initially reported two civilian deaths and later updated the number to three.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Amer
Adult male son of Ibrahim Rahuma killed
Jum’a Faraj Allafy
Adult male killed
Khalifa Al Saghir Milad
Adult male Son of Abdullah killed
Ahmed Mohammed Zdlim
Age unknown male injured
Rahum Khalifa Rahum
Age unknown male injured
Ahmad Abdullah Milad
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–8
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of an alleged victim (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Picture of another alleged victim (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Picture of the aftermath (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Another picture of the aftermath (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Another picture of the aftermath (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Another picture of the aftermath (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Another picture of the aftermath (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Another picture of the aftermath (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Another picture of the aftermath (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Picture of an alleged victim (via Burkan Al Ghadab)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of another alleged victim (via Burkan Al Ghadab)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another picture of the alleged victim (via Burkan Al Ghadab)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture showing the supposedly deadly injuries sustained in the attack (via Burkan Al Ghadab)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Afsah road (طريق الاصفاح), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.725327, 13.101276. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Afsah road (طريق الاصفاح).

    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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–8
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC250

Incident date

December 1, 2019

Location

جسر السواني, Al Swani Bridge, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.710367, 13.074647 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and five civilians were reportedly killed in an LNA or Emirati airstrike on Al-Swani.

Libya Observer put the death toll at two: “Foreign aircraft backing up Khalifa Haftar’s forces have carried out airstrikes on civilian houses in Al-Sawani, killing two people and injuring ten others, Volcano of Rage Operation’s media office said on Sunday.

The media office said among the civilian casualties, there are women and children and posted a video showing the destructive aftermath of the airstrike.”

The Field Medicine and Support Center (FMSC) wrote: “After a report of warplanes shelling in Al-Swani area that caused the death of three children and seriously injured a fourth child, ambulances of the Sawani Field Hospital of the Field Medicine and Support Center rushed on Sunday, 1-12-2019, to the area near the Sawani Bridge for the ambulance of the child Mohammed Jamal Yousef Helmi, 9 years old, who died instantly and recovered the body of the child Mahaba Ayad Adam, 4 years old. The body of a child who was not able to identify him was recovered.”

Libya Alahrar TV later put the death toll at five and said 13 more were wounded.

Al Wasat quoted a GNA spokesperson saying that an Emirati pilot flew the plane which conducted the strike.

According to 218TV, an LNA spokesperson later said that they did not target civilians in the area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Jamal Yousef Helmi
9 years old male killed
Mahaba Ayad Adam
4 years old female killed
Ali Al-Zintani
10 years old male killed
Yousef Jamal Yousef Helmi
10 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–13
  • 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 attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Video of the aftermath
  • Picture of one the alleged victims of an airstrike on Al-Swani on December 1st, 2019 (via Libya Observer)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of one the alleged victims of an airstrike on Al-Swani on December 1st, 2019 (via Libya Observer)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of one the alleged victims of an airstrike on Al-Swani on December 1st, 2019 (via Libya Observer)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of one the alleged victims of an airstrike on Al-Swani on December 1st, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Picture of the LNA or Emirati airstrike on Al-Swani on December 1st, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Sawani Bridge (جسر السواني),  for which the generic coordinates are: 32.710367, 13.074647. 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

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • United Arab Emirates Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–13
  • 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 attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC278

Incident date

January 16, 2020

Location

طرابلس‎: البريقة, Tripoli: Al Barika oil company, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.839444, 13.125000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported injured from indiscriminate LNA shelling in the Airport road area of Tripoli despite an ongoing ceasefire.

Al Wasat said: “The National Oil Corporation announced that shells fell on the airport road warehouse south of Tripoli, which belongs to Al Barika Oil Marketing Company, on Thursday evening, which led to the burning of seven trucks belonging to the company and wounding a member of the security of the oil installations with shrapnel while helping firefighters to enter the warehouse.”

Libya Alahrar TV posted that “a number of transportation trucks are on fire in Al Barika oil complex, as a result of the firing of mortar shells by a militia on the complex.”

The rival GNA-led Burkan Al Ghadab operation accused the LNA of conducting the shelling.

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
    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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video showing the burning oil trucks at the Al Barika oil company on January 16th, 2019

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a Barika oil company warehouse (البريقة) in Tripoli (طرابلس‎). The coordinates for the warehouse are 32.839444 13.125.

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]