Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

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]

Incident Code

LC238

Incident date

November 5, 2019

Location

محطة وقود القرقني , Al Garqni Petrol Station, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.805686, 13.281865 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three non-combatants were allegedly killed in an LNA airstrike on Ain Zara.

Al Wasat said: “The Interior Ministry of the GNA announced on Tuesday that two of its members were killed in the shelling of the headquarters of the Rapid Intervention Force at the General Directorate of Central Support in Ain Zara.

The ministry said in a statement, through its official page on the social networking site Facebook: ‘Aviation (..) Hafter on Tuesday evening targeted the headquarters of the rapid intervention force in the General Directorate of Central Support Ain Zara’, adding ‘two members of the security men (policeman Muhannad Mohammed Sa’id Rashed), (Wissam Salim Rajab Kardala), and four others were injured.'”

According to Libya Alahrar TV, the death toll was later updated to three.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhannad Mohammed Sa’id Rashed
Adult male killed
Wissam Salim Rajab Kardala
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 men2 other protected persons)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Picture of a burning police car after an alleged LNA strike on Ain Zara on November 5th, 2019 (via Libyan Ministry of Interior)
  • Picture of a burning police car after an alleged LNA strike on Ain Zara on November 5th, 2019 (via Libyan Ministry of Interior)
  • Picture of a burning police car after an alleged LNA strike on Ain Zara on November 5th, 2019 (via Libyan Ministry of Interior)
  • Picture of a burning police car after an alleged LNA strike on Ain Zara on November 5th, 2019 (via Libyan Ministry of Interior)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Garqni Petrol Station (محطة بنزين القرقني) within Ain Zara (عين زارة) for which the generic coordinates are: 32.805686, 13.281865. 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 status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 men2 other protected persons)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC268

Incident date

January 1, 2020

Location

شارع الكنيسة, Al Kanisa Street, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.79583, 13.108593 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the first incident of 2020, three civilians were reported killed and five others injured after an alleged LNA or UAE airstrike on a blacksmith store in Al Kanisa street in Al Swani, Tripoli, Libya on January 1st, 2020, according to local sources. A child was also wounded after the missile hit her house near the store.

Souq Al Khamis posted on their Facebook page that the shop’s owner and his son were killed in the attack, in addition to a third person who was killed when his van was directly targeted with the shelling.

In addition to the blacksmith store, a farm and an iron store house were reportedly targeted.

The shelling also caused damage to the neighbouring buildings.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    LNA

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Image of the car that was targeted on January 1st in Al-Swani killing one person (via Burkan Al Ghadab operation)
  • Another image of the car that was targeted on January 1st in Al-Swani killing one person (via Burkan Al Ghadab operation)
  • Picture of the impact of the strike on Al-Swani on January 1st (via Burkan Al Ghadab operation)
  • Aftermath of an alleged LNA airstrike on a blacksmith shop in Al Sawani, Tripoli on Jan 1st 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab operation)
  • Aftermath of an alleged LNA airstrike on a blacksmith shop in Al Sawani, Tripoli on Jan 1st 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab operation)
  • Aftermath of an alleged LNA airstrike on a blacksmith shop in Al Sawani, Tripoli on Jan 1st 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab operation)
  • Aftermath of the attack on the store (via @Lyobserver)
  • A child got injured when a missile hit her house near the Blacksmith store on January 1st in Al-Swani (via Souq Al Khamis)
  • Another picture of the child who got injured when a missile hit her house near the Blacksmith store on January 1st in Al-Swani (via Souq Al Khamis)
  • Picture of a house damaged on January 1st in Al-Swani (via Souq Al-Khmies)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area of Al Kanisa street (الهضبة البدري), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.79583, 13.108593. 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    LNA

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC297

Incident date

February 13, 2020

Location

باب السلام, Bab Al Salam, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.842957, 13.171578 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman was reportedly injured by LNA shelling the Abu Salim neighbourhood of Tripoli.

Al Wasat said: “The Abu Salim Municipal Council announced that a house in the municipality of Bab Al-Salam in the municipality was destroyed by a shell.”

The council noted that there were no citizens in the house, except for a woman who was in good condition, according to his statement on his page on the social networking site Facebook today, Thursday.

He pointed out that the property of the owners of the house was destroyed, and the shrapnel fragments caused damage to the neighbouring buildings, whose walls were cracked by the accident, and cars were damaged by the people, accusing the General Command forces of being the source of the shell. It was not possible for ‘Al-Wasat Gate’ to confirm the authenticity of the news from an independent source.”

The GNA-led Burkan Al Ghadab operation, however, wrote that the woman was lightly injured by LNA 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Destruction caused by alleged LNA shelling on Abu Salim on February 13th, 2020 (via Al Wasat)
  • Building damaged by alleged LNA shelling on Abu Salim on February 13th, 2020 (via Al Wasat)
  • Destruction caused by alleged LNA shelling on Abu Salim on February 13th, 2020 (via Al Wasat)
  • Destruction caused by alleged LNA shelling on Abu Salim on February 13th, 2020 (via Al Wasat)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Bab Al Salam (باب السلام) area, allegedly located within the neighbourhood of Abu Salim (ابوسليم), 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

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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC329

Incident date

March 28, 2020

Location

طريق المنارة, Al Manara Road, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.663117, 13.224399 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman was allegedly killed and her two sisters injured by a GNA artillery strike on Qasr Bin Gashir.

Hona Souq Al-Khmies did not report civilian harm but secondary explosions in the area: “A video showing the rise of smoke from the ammunition store in the companies complex in Qasr Bin Gashir after it was targeted by the Al-Wefaq [GNA] artillery and the sounds of ammunition explosions.”

The GNA itself declared conducting strikes via its Burkan Al Ghadab page: “Our artillery, precisely, targeted a building in Qasr Bin Gashir, in which a Russian mercenary manages to operate a cannon targeting the civilian neighborhoods of Tripoli.

Our hero’s heavy artillery destroyed an ammunition store in Qasr Bin Gashir”

Tk Yahroug Kl shy said: “After a random shell fell this morning on a house in Al-Manara Road, the wife of Saadi Aoun died, and the deceased seems to be Najia ِAl Saroukh.”

Zohra Shetwi posted on Facebook: “I am God, and to Him we shall return. I have moved to the mercy of God Almighty today.

Najia Al Saroukh, mother of my friend Rabiaa, may God bless her soul

My Lord heals her 2 sisters and injured.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Smoke rises after alleged GNA shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on March 28th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Al Manara Road (طريق المنارة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.663117, 13.224399. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention Al Manara Road (طريق المنارة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]