All Belligerents in Libya, 2011

Mourners in Majer, Libya in 2011 following a NATO airstrike which killed at least 34 civilians, according to multiple reports. Image courtesy of Sidney Kwiram/ Human Rights Watch

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

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

LC008

Incident date

December 3, 2014

Location

زوارة بورت , Zuwara Port, Nuqat al Khums, Libya

Geolocation

32.921944, 12.120556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

LNA airstrikes reportedly targeted the port area in Zuwara. Most sources claimed there were no civilian casualties, though one report said that seven people were killed and 25 injured – but didn’t specify if they were civilians or combatants.

Ean Libya reported that the security official Spokesman (Hafed Muamer) confirmed that no casualties occurred during this strike: A warplane bombed the port without causing any civilian casualties, and it was also not possible to know the material losses so far, the spokesman of the security bureau, Zuwara Hafez Muammar, was quoted as saying.

According to Almukhtaser, seven people were killed and 25 injured in air strikes on the Libyan city of Zuwara in raids by the government aircraft of Haftar.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–25
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 7 persons have been killed in an alleged LNA airstrikes (Source: @almokhtsar)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Zuwara Port (زوارة بورت ), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.922249, 12.118607. 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
    0 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–25
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC007

Incident date

December 2, 2014

Location

زوارة, Zuwara, Nuqat al Khums, Libya

Geolocation

32.924798, 12.075283 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians died and up to 15 more were wounded in an alleged LNA airstrike on a food supply storage depot in Zuwara. Three or four foreign nationals were reportedly included in the death toll.

Fox News provided the most detail on the event, reporting: A Libyan official says airstrikes have hit a foodstuffs warehouse in western Libya, killing four people and injuring 15.

Hafez Moammar, the spokesman for security forces in the Mediterranean city of Zwara, 70 miles (110 kilometres) west of Tripoli, says three of the dead were foreign nationals. He added that a second airstrike hit a chemicals factory.

He said the warplanes were operating under Khalifa Haftar, a former army general who last spring unilaterally led an offensive against Islamist militias in the eastern city of Benghazi. On Oct. 15, Haftar and the elected government joined ranks against Islamist militias. Haftar’s office subsequently said the buildings it struck contained weapons, not food.

According to the Libya Observer, One Libyan truck driver and four African workers were killed in the dignity operation airstrike that hit a food supply warehouse in Zuwara. More than 10 others were also critically injured.

Other sources said that other locations were also struck – though made no mention of civilian harm in these strikes. According to Reuters, a food supply storage area, a fishing port and another unspecified target outside of the city were hit.

RT reported on a strike in a nearby forest, which Libyan air force commander, Brigadier General Saqr al-Jaroushi, referred to as a bombing of a gathering of the Fajr Libyan militias in the Jude Daim forest in Zawya.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–15
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a man being injured following an alleged LNA airstrike in Zwara city (Source: Ean Libya)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    an image shows a man being treated at the medical centre, injured following an alleged LNA airstrike in Zwara city (Source: Ean Libya)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a man, killed following an alleged LNA airstrike in Zwara city (Source: Ean Libya)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture shows a man being injured following an alleged LNA airstrike in Zwara city (Source: Ean Libya)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shows a man being treated at the medical centre, injured following an alleged LNA airstrike in Zwara city (Source: Ean Libya)
  • Picture of the alleged strike (via Nancy Porsia)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of the aftermath(via Nancy Porsia)
  • Picture of an alleged victim (via Nancy Porsia)
  • Picture of an alleged victim (via Nancy Porsia)
  • Picture of the aftermath (via Libyan™)
  • Picture of the aftermath (via Libyan™)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Zuwara (زوارة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.924798, 12.075283. 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
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–15
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC006

Incident date

November 24, 2014

Location

طرابلس‎: مطار معيتيقة, Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.895041, 13.2785 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As part of a wave of raids on the city (see previous cases) LNA planes reportedly targeted Mitiga airport damaging the building and injuring two civilians – a woman and her daughter.

Alwasat provided the most detail on the event, reporting: “A woman and her daughter were injured on Monday evening [Nov 24th] when a warplane bombed an area near the airport in Tripoli, according to the Middle East News Agency. The victims were transferred to hospital for treatment”.

Other sources including Akhbar, Patrick Markey and RassdNewsN also reported a strike on the airport but made no mention of civilian harm.

Ean Libya published an image (below) reportedly showing demolished civilian homes as a result of the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A picture shows the destruction of civilian homes following an alleged LNA air strike on near Mitiga airport, Nov 24th (via Ean Libya)
  • An image shows one of the houses being damaged following an alleged LNA air strike on near Mitiga airport, Nov 24th (via Alwasat)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Tripoli Mitiga International Airport (طرابلس‎ مطار معيتيقة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.895041, 13.2923412. 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
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ004

Incident date

November 22, 2014

Location

بئر الغنم, Bi'r al Ghanam, Zawiya, Libya

Geolocation

32.311608, 12.569035 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

LNA airstrikes reportedly targeted Libya Dawn at several locations in the south and west of the Libyan capital including Gheryan, Chalghouda, Nasser, Mazraq Al Qanqa, the Botteh Sorman farm, Bir Hwaisa, the Khuwaildi reserve, Bi’r Al Ghanam, Buaisa, Al Rabeta and the Shamalat factory. There were no public reports of civilian harm.

Sky News reported: “The Libyan air force on Friday [Nov 22nd] bombed sites belonging to militant groups known as Libya Dawn west of Tripoli, in the first daily raids targeting the region, the sources said. Yes, today the battle began in Tripoli, targeting the air force centres of terrorists, Libyan army spokesman Maj. Mohamed Hijazi told Sky News Arabiya on Saturday night [Nov 23rd].

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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Fajr Libya operation media offie confers that Haftar airforce conducted airstrike on the area of Shalghouda (Source: Almanara Libya)

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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ003

Incident date

November 10, 2014

Location

بنغازي‎, الصابري, Sabri, Banghazi, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.1311985, 20.0748271 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to several local sources,  LNA air force conducted at least two airstrikes targeting the Shura Council in Sabri and Garyounis, Benghazi.

Libya Channel Panorama LPC  reported that the Jerusalem Mosque in Sabri area was damaged followed an alleged LNA strike, though no civilian casualties were publicly reported.

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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: The impact of the bombing of Khalifa Haftar aircraft to the Al-Quds mosque in the Sabri district of central Benghazi Monday morning (source: Gamal Sultan)

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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ002

Incident date

October 18, 2014

Location

بنغازي‎, Bosnib, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.035556, 20.048333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several local sources reported that the LNA targeted the Shura Council in Benghazi – though one source blamed Egypt. The strike reportedly hit the area in the west of Benghazi called Bosnib.

Nöor çoröğlü posted pictures of destroyed civilian homes due to the strikes but did not mention civilian harm.

According to @zicotarhuni, the Egyptian air force bombed the Bosnib area.

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 attackers
    Egyptian Military, Libyan National Army

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: the target of Bu-Utni by the LNA (source: Alzarook_Nabbos)
  • Translation: Images of destroyed civilian homes (source: tweeted by Nöor çoröğlü)

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

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 attackers
    Egyptian Military, Libyan National Army

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ001

Incident date

October 4, 2014

Location

بنغازي‎, Bu Jazirah, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.168056, 20.131944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to multiple local sources, airstrikes from an unknown belligerent reportedly hit Benghazi University and the February 17 camp targeting Ansar al-Sharia, which were described by some sources as “terrorist sites”.

Entisar Shinib reported that some civilians houses have affected by the strike, however, no civilian harms are reported.

There were no known reports of civilian casualties.

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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Picture of the aftermath (via Afrigate News)
  • Picture of the aftermath (via Afrigate News)
  • Picture of the aftermath (via Afrigate News)

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 (6) [ collapse]