Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

LC014a

Incident date

March 14, 2015

Location

العسة, Al Assah, Nuqat al Khums, Libya

Geolocation

32.826944, 11.635 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was reported killed in an alleged LNA airstrike on Al Assah near Zuwara.

Zuwara News wrote on Facebook that “an aeroplane just hit the Al Assah area and resulted in the death of one man from Misurata and wounding six of the sons of our beloved city.”

Fssato91 reported: “Pray for Alaa Belkhair from Zuwara and all the wounded.”

Rawadfree1 claimed that the LNA used cluster bombs in the attacks and posted pictures of bomblets.

Other sources also reported LNA strikes in the area but didn’t mention civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Alaa Belkhair,
Adult male Via @fssato91 killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Translation: One Killed and others injured in an aerial bombardment by the Karama forces on the Aasah area near the city of Zuwara. # Libya
  • Translation: Dozens of small-scale unexploded bomblets believed to be cluster after the bombing of Haftar in Zuwara yesterday, the media center found (Source: @rawadfree1)
  • Another picture of the munitions (via rawadfree1)
  • Another picture of the munitions (via rawadfree1)
  • Another picture of the munitions (via rawadfree1)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Assah (العسة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.826944, 11.635. 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
    6
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC014

Incident date

February 15, 2015

Location

درنة‎: شيحة, Shiha, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.760918, 22.621526 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various sources reported that Egyptian airstrikes hit two locations in East Derna. One strike hit the Bab Shiha neighbourhood, another one the former headquarters of the Jabal al-Akhdar Industrial Company.
Local and international sources reported that seven civilians were killed, including three or four children and a woman – plus up to 50 members of ISIS.

Human Rights Watch named the victims as:

“[…] a mother, Rabiha al-Mansouri, and three of her four children, Afraa, Zakaria, and Huthaifa al-Karshoufi, who died when a missile hit their home. Others were Osama al-Shteiwi, a student who was watching from the roof of his home, who was hit by shrapnel; Attia Bousheiba al-Shaari, who died after the front of his house collapsed on him; and Hanan Faraj al-Drissi, who was on the roof of her home when a missile struck the street in front.” Human Rights Watch further investigated the case and spoke to family members recounting the incident. It added 17 people were injured in the attack.

After investigating the case, Amnesty International came to the conclusion that Egypt didn’t take the precautions necessary to prevent civilian casualties in the attack.

According to Libya Alkhabar, “Al-Huraish hospital in Derna city received seven dead people, including four children, a woman and two men, in addition to a number of wounded, in the bombing of areas in the city by the Egyptian airforce.
The Egyptian air force targeted the eastern entrance of the city on Monday morning after five of its aircraft launched air strikes on it.

The Egyptian forces said in a televised statement that the bombing targeted camps, stores, training points and the headquarters of the Islamic state organization. The statement added that the operation was a ‘revenge’ on those who published the video that showed the killing of 21 Egyptians slaughtered, and attributed to the Islamic State in Libya.”

Noon Post, who also put the death toll at seven, added that as many as 21 more civilians were wounded in the event. Civilian homes were also reportedly destroyed.

Ean Libya tweeted images of three dead children.

Bawabat Alwasat said that 40-50 “militants” were also killed in the bombings – through the source quoted Libyan air force chief Major General Saqr al-Jaroushi, who claimed that “the houses targeted in the raids on Derna were the headquarters of Daesh – and our forces were the ones who bombed them, not the Egyptian planes”.

The incident occured at approximately 7:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Rabiha al-Mansouri
female via HRW killed
Afraa
Child via HRW killed
Zakaria
Child via HRW killed
Huthaifa al-Karshoufi
via HRW killed

The victims were named as:

Osama al-Shteiwi,
Age unknown male via HRW killed
Attia Bousheiba al-Shaari
Age unknown via HRW killed
Hanan Faraj al-Drissi
Age unknown via HRW killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–21
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Youtube: Russia Today showing footage of the airstrike

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Youtube: Al Jazeera shows footage of the victims
  • Youtube: Former GNC Prime Minister Omar al-Hassi comdemns the Egyptian airstrikes on Alkool

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Youtube: Al Jazeera Mubashir shows a nurse that explains the details of the children’s deaths

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention two missiles striking homes in the Shiha (شيحا) neighborhood of Derna, Libya (درنة). Investigating audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location of at least one of these missiles to an intersection between a mosque and a university, for which the exact coordinates are: 32.760918, 22.621526.

  • Image showing scene of airstrike. Note that tag A is the minaret of a mosque.

    Imagery:
    Al Jazeera

  • Image from news report showing street targeted by airstrike. Note that tag F is the entrance to a street leading to the right of this photo.

    Imagery:
    Arabi21

  • Satellite image showing distribution of features tagged in photos of neighborhood hit by the airstrike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite image showing the exact location of the airstrike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Egyptian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    17–21
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ006

Incident date

January 14, 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

Various sources reported that the LNA warplane attacked a trawler allegedly loaded with gasoline outside Benghazi. There were no reports of civilian harm.

According to Sky News, a military official said that a Libyan aircraft belonging to the internationally recognised government (HoR) attacked a fishing boat carrying a shipment of gasoline to the port of Benghazi this week after suspected of carrying supplies to militants.

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 (4) [ 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC013

Incident date

January 5, 2015

Location

درنة‎: ميناء درنه, Derna Port, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.7798944, 22.70505 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

GNC planes allegedly bombed a Greek oil tanker killing a Greek engine cadet and a Romanian seaman on board, according to local media. Two Filipinos aboard were injured according to The Telegraph. Shorouk News reported a third person had been wounded.

The Telegraph provided significant details on the event, reporting that a 29-year old Greek engine cadet and unidentified Romanian seamen were killed when a rocket exploded on the deck of the ARAEVO, owned by Athens-based Aegean Shipping Management. Two Filipino nationals were also injured aboard the vessel, which was carrying 12,600 tones of crude oil when it was hit. Military officials allied with Libya’s internationally recognised government told Reuters the vessel had been warned not to enter the port and claimed it had been transporting Islamist militants to the city of Derna. But Libya’s National Oil Company said the tanker had only been delivering fuel and claimed that the relevant authorities had been informed of its arrival.

While most sources blamed the GNC for the attack, Erem News reported that the LNA was responsible for the raid, quoting their Major Mohammed Hijazi a number of our military officials directed our warnings, not to approach the ports of cities controlled by the Fajr of Libya and its loyalists, and that any piece of marine will become a legitimate target of the air force.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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, General National Congress (GNC)

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike targeting an oil tanker five kilometers off the coast of Derna’s port (درنة‎). After investigating visual material from sources, we narrowed this location down to 32.7798944, 22.70505.

  • Reports of the incident mention an airstrike targeting an oil tanker five kilometers off the coast of Derna’s port (درنة‎)

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

General National Congress (GNC) Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    General National Congress (GNC)
  • General National Congress (GNC) position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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, General National Congress (GNC)

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC012

Incident date

January 3, 2015

Location

ميناء السدرة, Port Sidra, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

30.6371656, 18.334976 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alwasat reported armed clashes around the port of Sidra between fighters guarding the oil ports and the LNA which were accompanied by three LNA airstrikes.

Alfakhiri claimed on Twitter that two children were killed in the attack but didn’t add further details.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike targeting near Sidra Port (ميناء السدرة) in Libya’s Sirte District (سرت‎). The generic coordinates for Sidra Port are: 30.6371656, 18.334976. 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
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC011

Incident date

January 3, 2015

Location

مصراتة: مصراتة ميناء, Misurata Port, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.3610975, 15.2204999 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to various sources, LNA jets struck different positions in Misurata’s port, resulting in the injury of two civilians – reportedly employees at the port.

Al Jazeera reported: The forces of the retired Libyan brigade General, Khalifa Haftar, announced responsibility for air strikes on the western port of Misurata on Saturday claiming that it was used for ‘terrorist purposes. We have repeated more than once that if the port of Misurata becomes a danger, we will shell it, said the spokesman of the Hafar forces. On Saturday, the air force struck the port because of its use of transporting weapons, ammunition and terrorist elements.

Reuters, Al Wasat and Al Nabaa reported that two port employees were injured, while other sources mentioned no civilian casualties or injuries but “heavy losses” for the Libya Dawn militia.

The incident occured at approximately 11:00 am local time.

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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A TV report on airstrikes targeted Misurata city - Translation: Two airstrikes targeted Misrata city, one in the morning and one an hour ago targeted the port which resulted in injured two workers (Source: Al Nabaa TV)
  • Translation: LNA air forces targeted a warehouse of weapons in Emara Misrata at the airport without any casualties occurred (source: Noman Benotman)
  • Another picture of the warehouse (via Noman Benotman)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike targeting Misurata Port (ميناء مصراتة). After investigating visual evidence from sources, we narrowed down this location to the southwestern edge of a warehouse on a pier at Misurata Port, the exact coordinates for which are: 32.3610975, 15.2204999.

  • Photo from scene of airstrike

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Photo from scene of airstrike. The features marked by tags F and G intersect behind the silver car.

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Satellite imagery showing distribution of features tagged in photos from scene of airstrike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC010

Incident date

December 28, 2014

Location

بن جواد, Bin Jawad, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

30.806667, 18.062778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two physicians were killed and seven more people were reported wounded in an alleged GNC/Libya Dawn airstrike at a field hospital in Bin Jawad, according to local sources.

James Wheeler tweeted: Two physicians were reported killed and 7 other people injured by an airstrike near a field hospital at Bin Jawad.

Multiple sources have identified two victims (doctors).

According to @EbrahimGasuda, medical staff in the field hospital in the area of Ben Jawad were wounded and two doctors killed. who were present after the bombing of fighter aircraft belonging to the militias Haftar.

However, sources didn’t say whether the victims were military personnel or civilians.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Dr. Suleiman Hajeeba
Adult male Via Al Manara Media killed
Dr Abdul Aziz Aaneibah“.
Adult male Via Al Manara Media killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    General National Congress (GNC)

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows Dr Suleiman Ahjeeba, killed in an alleged GNC/Libya Dawn strike on a field hospital in Bin Jawad, Dec 28th (via Al Manara Media)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows Dr Abdul Aziz Aaneibah, killed in an alleged GNC/Libya Dawn strike on a field hospital in Bin Jawad, Dec 28th (via Al Manara Media)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a field hospital being struck in the village of Bin Jawad (بن جواد), for which the generic coordinates are: 30.806667, 18.062778. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

General National Congress (GNC) Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    General National Congress (GNC)
  • General National Congress (GNC) position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    General National Congress (GNC)

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC009

Incident date

December 20, 2014

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.190547, 16.571441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, Libya in Heart, reported that “nearly 20 people” died in alleged LNA airstrike in Sirte but did not specify if they were civilians.

According to the source, Nearly 20 people were killed in the bombing of the Sirte air force in Libya. Eyewitnesses confirmed that ambulances were being heard heavily.

After further review, we noticed a translation error in the source. The people mentioned are in fact Libya Dawn fighters and will be reflected as combatants in our data because of that.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Sirte (سرت‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.190547, 16.571441. 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
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]