Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

Lib2011-208

Incident date

October 19, 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

Six civilians, including one child, were allegedly killed by a NATO airstrike on Sirte.

Libya Now said: “Yesterday, Saturday, the revolutionaries found in the city of Sirte a cemetery containing the remains of 6 people from one family, including a child, who were killed by the bombing of the second area at dawn last Wednesday.”

Other sources published similar reports.

NATO did not report airstrikes 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
    6
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (3) [ 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
    6
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-136

Incident date

August 5, 2011

Location

المليعب, Al Mleeb, Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

32.027635, 12.593237

Airwars assessment

Between 28 and 49 people, including 28 men, were killed by Gaddafi forces in Al Mleeb in the vicinity of Al Qalaa village on August 5, 2011 according to various sources, including a video on ImazighenLibya’s YouTube and a post on Safit Al Somoud’s Facebook.

A graphic video posted by ImazighenLibya shows rows of dead bodies, more than 15, many of them with their hands tied behind their backs. Graphic images posted by Safit al Somood show some of the victims covered in mud. Other videos and images posted by various other sources show hundreds of people attending the funeral for the victims.

Names of victims killed:

M’hamed Ahmed Ghida

Muhammad Ghida, son of M’hamed Ahmed Ghida

Fouad Ghida, nephew of M’hamed Ahmed Ghida

Ashraf Abu Kassem Saleh Al-Ezabi

Abu Kassem Al-Ezabi,, father of Ashraf Abu Kassem Saleh Al-Ezabi

al-Hashemi Muhammad al-Shator

Muhammad Al-Shator, father of al-Hashemi Muhammad al-Shator

Mhammed Muhammad Al-Shator, younger brother of al-Hashemi Muhammad al-Shator

Saleh Ali Omar

Salem Suleiman Ali Khalifa

Rabie Saeed Omar Al-Ezabi

M’hamed Ajal

Yusef Ajal, son of M’hamed Ajal

Mhamed Suleiman Al-Baden

Ali Mhamed Suleiman Al-Baden, son of Mhamed Suleiman Al-Baden

Salem Younis Kreir

Saeed Ali Othman

Uribi Othman, brother of Saeed Ali Othman

Suleiman Abdul Salam Ajal

Abd al-Salam Ajal, father of Suleiman Abdul Salam Ajal

Abdullah Ammhamad (Al-Dardouri)

Muhammad Mhammed Al-Harari

Mahmo al-Harari, brother of Muhammad Mhammed Al-Harari

Uncle of Muhammad Mhammed Al-Harari

Uncle of Muhammad Mhammed Al-Harari

Abdul Hamid Qarad Al-Taher

Talal Al-Hadi Omar Oreibi

Omar Qirqab Ahmed Al-Baden

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

M'hamed Ahmed Ghid
Adult male killed
Muhammad Ghida
Adult male Son of M'hamed Ahmed Ghida killed
Fouad Ghida
Adult male Nephew of M'hamed Ahmed Ghida killed

Family members (2)

Ashraf Abu Kassem Saleh Al-Ezabi
Adult male killed
Abu Kassem Al-Ezabi,
Adult male Father of Ashraf Abu Kassem Saleh Al-Ezabi killed

Family members (3)

al-Hashemi Muhammad al-Shator
Adult male killed
Muhammad Al-Shator
Adult male Father of al-Hashemi Muhammad al-Shator killed
Mhammed Muhammad Al-Shator
Age unknown male Younger brother of al-Hashemi Muhammad al-Shator injured

Family members (2)

M'hamed Ajal
Adult male killed
Yusef Ajal
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Mhamed Suleiman Al-Baden
Adult male killed
Ali Mhamed Suleiman Al-Baden, Son of Mhamed Suleiman Al-Baden
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Saeed Ali Othman
male killed
Uribi Othman
male Brother of Saeed Ali Othman killed

Family members (2)

Suleiman Abdul Salam Ajal
Adult male killed
Abd al-Salam Ajal
Adult male Father of Suleiman Abdul Salam Ajal injured

Family members (4)

Muhammad Mhammed Al-Harari
male killed
Mahmo al-Harari
male killed
Uncle of Muhammad Mhammed Al-Harari
male killed
Uncle of Muhammad Mhammed Al-Harari
male killed

The victims were named as:

Saleh Ali Omar
Adult male killed
Salem Suleiman Ali Khalifa
Adult male killed
Rabie Saeed Omar Al-Ezabi
Adult male killed
Salem Younis Kreir
Adult male killed
Abdullah Ammhamad (Al-Dardouri)
Adult male killed
Abdul Hamid Qarad Al-Taher
Adult male killed
Talal Al-Hadi Omar Oreibi
Age unknown male killed
Omar Qirqab Ahmed Al-Baden
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30 – 49
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (46) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • Funeral for Aug 5, 2011 victims
  • August 5 victims

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    August 5 victims

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    August 5 victims

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    August 5 victims

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    August 5 victims

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    August 5 victims
  • M'hamed Ahmed Ghida
  • Ashraf Abu Kassem Saleh Al-Ezabi
  • Abu Kassem Al-Ezabi,
  • al-Hashemi Muhammad al-Shator
  • Mhammed Muhammad Al-Shator
  • Saleh Ali Omar
  • Salem Suleiman Ali Khalifa
  • Rabie Saeed Omar Al-Ezabi
  • M'hamed Ajal
  • Mhamed Suleiman Al-Baden
  • Salem Younis Kreir
  • Saeed Ali Othman
  • Suleiman Abdul Salam Ajal
  • Abdullah Ammhamad (Al-Dardouri)
  • Uribi Ali Othman
  • Muhammad Mhammed Al-Harari
  • Fouad Abdullah Ahmed Ghida
  • Abdul Salam Ajal
  • Talal Al-Hadi Omar Oreibi
  • Abdul Hamid Qarad Al-Taher
  • Mahmoud Mhamed Al-Harari
  • Mohammed Al-Shator
  • Muhammad M'hamed Ghida
  • Omar Qirqab Ahmed Al-Baden
  • Ali Mhamed Suleiman Al-Baden
  • Yusef Mhammed Ajal

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Mleeb (المليعب) area, in the vicinity of Al Qalaa (القلعة) village, for which the generic coordinates are: 32.027635, 12.593237. 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
    30 – 49
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC425

Incident date

March 19, 2021

Location

زمزم, Zamzam, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.087047, 20.150771 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight children were allegedly injured by artillery shelling from an unknown belligerent in Benghazi.

Libya Alahrar TV wrote: “Al-Galaa Hospital for Surgery and Accidents in Benghazi announced that eight children were injured yesterday, Friday, as a result of a shell landing in the Zamzam neighborhood.

The hospital added in a statement on Saturday that the injured children, who were between the ages of eleven and sixteen years old, had moderate or critical injuries, including those who received first aid and left the hospital.

There has been no official clarifying statement issued by the official authorities in Benghazi until the moment to reveal who was behind the launch of the shell.”

Other sources published similar reports.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdullah Nasser Suleiman
7 years old male injured
Sulaiman Nasser Suleiman
15 years old male injured
Abdel Wahab Nasser Al-Shikmak
16 years old male injured
Salem Nasser Salem Al-Shikmak
12 years old male injured
Ahmed Faraj Nasser Al-Fitouri
11 years old male injured
Dawood Hassan Daoud
12 years old male injured
Haitham Dawoud Al-Mismari
15 years old male injured
Abdul Hakim Abdul Majeed Muhammad
11 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Zamzam (زمزم), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.087047, 20.150771. 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 Zamzam (زمزم).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    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
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ064

Incident date

December 28, 2017

Location

بنغازي‎, Sidi Kharibesh, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.125, 20.063889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several sources reported airstrikes on Sidi Akhrebish by either LNA, Egypt or UAE. One source claims Egyptian F-16s or Rafales were involved.

However, some local sources described what they said was “Indiscriminate shelling by heavy weapons on the area of Akhrebish this day by the LNA militia.” And Libya Today TV noted what it said was the “destruction of infrastructure and public and private property of citizens.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Egyptian Military, Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Egyptian Military Assessment:

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

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Egyptian Military, Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ035

Incident date

October 1, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.028594, 20.026959 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The LNA self-reported airstrikes on what it said were ‘terrorist groups’ operating in Qawarsheh near the European hospital.

Alnabaa uploaded a video showing the extent of destruction to civilian homes from airstrikes in Ganfouda but didn’t specify the date of the attacks.

There were no public reports at the time of civilian harm.

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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video shows the destruction among civilian houses in Ganfouda, Benghazi as result the clashes between LNA and Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries & ISIS (Source: al Nabaa TV)

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
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ025

Incident date

February 10, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Jawhara Resort, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

31.992496, 19.971215 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

LNA and various sources reported that it targeted ‘terrorists strongholds’ in Sidi Faraj, Al-Laithi, Bouatni and Garyounis, near Nabous Square. It also hit a vessel 40 km off the Coast. According to Al Wasat, the vessel was loaded with ammunition. According to the LNA’s official site, “A Libyan Arab air force fighter on Wednesday targeted a dredger/vessel west of the city of Benghazi at a distance of 40 km from the coast after the radar system detected it. It was targeted at 6:30 pm. The smoke rose from the dredger/vessel after being targeted, and fire lit the ammunition.”

The fate of any civilian crew on board the boat is unknown.

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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video whos the moment of the military aircraft bombard in al-Lithi district in Benghazi (Source: Libya's Channel)

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
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC183

Incident date

August 16, 2019

Location

مطار معيتيقة, Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.895041, 13.2785 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reportedly injured by LNA shelling on Mitiga Airport in Tripoli.

The Facebook page of the Burkan Al Ghadab operation by the rival GNA said: “During the last few hours, the militia of the war criminal Hifter targeted the employees of the Libyan Company for Handling and Ground Services at Mitiga International Airport with Grad rockets, wounding two of them with shrapnel and damaging the buses of passengers.”

Other sources only reported artillery shelling but no civilian casualties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Another video of the shelling
  • Pictures of the aftermath

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Mitiga International Airport (مطار معيتيقة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.895041, 13.2785. 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

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC211

Incident date

October 5, 2019

Location

مطار مصراتة, Misurata Airport, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.333406, 15.046019 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly injured in an LNA or Emirati airstrike on Misurata Airport.

Afrigate News reported: “The airstrike on Misrata airport on Saturday targeted a mobile generator with “detectors” lamps and damaged two civilian planes with shrapnel and injured an employee of the airport handling company, the Interior Ministry said.”

Alayam Ly published a similar report.

Al Motawaset said: “A briefing on the Volcano of Anger [GNA] that the bombing caused the injury of an aviation officer at the airport, where he was taken to hospital for treatment in addition to damage to some airport facilities.”

The Libya Observer tweeted: “Flights at Misrata Int’l Airport were suspended after warlord Khalifa Haftar’s airforce militia, backed by France, UAE and Egypt, conducted an airstrike on the airport Saturday morning, wounding one worker and causing damage to two planes for Libya Wings and Libyan Airlines.”

Other sources only reported bombing at Misurata Airport, without mentioning civilian harm. Some accused the LNA, others the UAE of conducting the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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
    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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Car damaged by an airtrike on Misurata on October 5th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Plane damaged by an airstrike on Misurata on October 5th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Shrapnel after an airstrike on Misurata on October 5th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Shrapnel after an airstrike on Misurata on October 5th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Car damaged after an airstrike on Misurata on October 5th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Misurata Airport (مطار مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.333406, 15.046019. 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
    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 attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]