Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

Lib2011-142

Incident date

August 20, 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

At least 15 people were killed in Tripoli on August 20, 2011 according to an Islamtoday post on Facebook. It is unknown whether those killed were civilians or fighters and it is unknown who killed them. The bodies were buried around the time that the Libyan revolutionaries attacked Libya.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 15
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–15

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Tripoli (طرابلس‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.886602, 13.190912. 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
    0 – 15
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–15

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-034

Incident date

March 17, 2011

Location

كرزاز, Kerzaz, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.300918, 15.088863 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A father was killed and many members of his family injured by Gaddafi forces tank fire in Misurata, according to an Amnesty International investigation.

The Amnesty report noted: “In a separate incident a few hours earlier [on March 17th] in the same area, another family came under fire as they were fleeing Kerzaz in three cars. Mohammed Mosbah Souib, a 61-year-old father of 14, was killed by shrapnel to the head and several members of the family were injured when all three cars came under tank fire. Mohammed’s wife, ‘Aisha, was hit in the back and their seven-month old grandchild was hit in the face and badly injured. The baby’s mother, Hanan, was injured in her arm. In another car, Mohammed’s son, ‘Imad, and his four-year-old niece ‘Aisha both suffered head injuries.

“The surviving members of the family told Amnesty International that they too had come under fire as they were trying to turn around, having become aware that tanks were positioned ahead.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Mohammed Mosbah Souib
61 years old male killed
Aisha
Adult female injured
Hanan
Adult female injured
Imad
Adult male injured
Aisha
4 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Kerzaz (كرزاز) in the district of Misurata (مصراتة). The generic coordinates for this neighbourhood are: 32.300918, 15.088863. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Kerzaz (كرزاز) in the district of Misurata (مصراتة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-198

Incident date

October 5, 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

A Sudanese family of seven was allegedly killed by a NATO airstrike on Sirte.

Al Jamahiriya reported: “A Sudanese family of 7 was martyred in Sirte, as a result of the bombing of their house by NATO mercenaries and its agents.”

Other sources published carbon copies of the story.

NATO did not report strikes near Sirte on that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ 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.

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
    7
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-078

Incident date

April 25, 2011

Location

الزنتان, Al Zintan, Jabal Al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

31.930396, 12.250838 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On April 25th, 2011, three people were reported killed while fleeing Zintan, due to artillery shelling from Gaddafi forces .

It was unclear how many of those harmed were civilians or rebels, from this single source claim via Al Jazeera.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Zintan (الزنتان), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.930396, 12.250838. 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
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-133

Incident date

July 31, 2011

Location

منطقة سوق الثلاثاء, Suq Al Thulatha, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.416186, 14.629205 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On July 31st, 2011, eight people were reported killed in Misurata by artillery strikes from Gaddafi forces. In addition, 20 were reported injured by AlMukhtar news. The attacks occurred within the market area of western Misrata. No additional information on the victims were report was unclear how many casualties were civilians or rebel forces.

AlMukhtar reports “after restarting it, received 8 martyrs and 20 wounded who fell on the western axis after the revolutionaries were stationed in the Tuesday market area, and the clashes are continuing so far.”

Two sources confirmed the eight dead, but only Al Mukhtar reported the 20 wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 8
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–20
  • 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
    0–8
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–20

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Suq Al Thulatha (سوق الثلاثاء) area in the vicinity of Zliten (زليتن) and Misurata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.416186, 14.629205. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Suq Al Thulatha (سوق الثلاثاء) area in the vicinity of Zliten (زليتن) and Misurata (مصراتة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    0 – 8
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–20
  • 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
    0–8
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–20

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-063

Incident date

April 7, 2011

Location

القوارشة, Al Qawarsheh, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

On April 7th, 2011, the body of an unidentified man was found in the Al Qawarsheh neighborhood of Benghazi, suspected to have been killed by Libyan rebel forces. A UN report cites the death of the man.

The UN report states “the General Prosecution in Benghazi indicating that a body of an unidentified black man found in the Kawarsha outskirts of Benghazi was brought on 7 April 2011 with gunshot wounds to the back of the head.”

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Al Qawarsheh (القوارشة) in the city of Benghazi (بنغازي), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.021389, 20.073056. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Al Qawarsheh (القوارشة) in the city of Benghazi (بنغازي).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-217

Incident date

December 14, 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

One man was killed in Tripoli by rebel forces after the rebels tried to confiscate his car and he refused. According to UN Report Source Page 82, the rebels had approached a member of the Tripoli brigade to try to confiscate their car, claiming it was government property, but left after negotiations without the car. Later, when the Tripoli brigade member was driving the vehicle, he was ambushed by the rebels and they fatally shot him. Three of the attackers were arrested and charged with murder while the others escaped.

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
    1
  • (1 man1 other protected person)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Tripoli (طرابلس‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.886602, 13.190912. 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
    1
  • (1 man1 other protected person)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-163

Incident date

September 15, 2011

Location

الزعفران , Al Za’fran, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.206893, 16.550209 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On the September 15th 2011, the NATO bombed a house in Al Zafaran neighbourhood in Sirte which resulted in the death of a family consisting of four people.

This information was according to a post by Nour Al Din Nasser Al Zanki on Facebook who named the victims.

NATO on that reported striking “In the vicinity of Sirte: 1 Military Storage Facility, 2 Armed Vehicles, 1 Tank, 4 Multiple Rocket Launchers, 8 Air Missile Systems” near Sirte.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Za’fran neighbourhood (الزعفران), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.206893, 16.550209. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Al Za’fran neighbourhood (الزعفران).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

NATO forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

NATO forces

In the vicinity of Sirte: 1 Military Storage Facility, 2 Armed Vehicles, 1 Tank, 4 Multiple Rocket Launchers, 8 Air Missile Systems.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]