Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

Lib2011-031

Incident date

March 11, 2011

Location

مرسى البريقة, Brega, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

30.411123, 19.570076 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported on Twitter that six civilians were killed in an airstrike by the Gaddafi regime on Brega.

Aban Idris said: “News of the martyrdom of 6 by aerial bombardment of Brega.”

Al Jazeera and France24 also reported airstrikes, but it is unclear if these were in the direct vicinity of Brega.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Brega (مرسى البريقة), for which the generic coordinates are: 30.411123, 19.570076. 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 type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-091

Incident date

May 12, 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

Six possible civilian fatalities were reported in a NATO airstrike on Tripoli at or near one of Gaddafi’s compounds.

Al Jazeera reported that “A series of explosions rocked early at dawn today in the center of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, in the vicinity of Bab al-Aziziyah, the headquarters of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, after a raid by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).”

Matelo0ove said: “Six people killed and 10 others wounded in air strikes in Libya: In new Libyan developments, a delegation of members of the National Council is visiting.” Other sources published similar accounts. However almost all media only described ‘people’

NATO itself said it had struck ” 2 Surface-To-Air Missile Launchers, 3 Buildings inside a military camp” on that day without admitting to any civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (7) [ 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.

NATO forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

NATO forces
Official source

In the vicinity of Tripoli: 2 Surface-To-Air Missile Launchers, 3 Buildings inside a military camp.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC077

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Location

سبها‎, Sabha, Libya

Geolocation

27.038804, 14.426567 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least six civilians were killed in Sabha during fighting between rival armed groups, Reuters reported.

Reuters reported that LNA and rival groups fought in the vicinity of Sabha, leading to the deaths of at least six civilians. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Sabha (سبها‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 27.038804, 14.426567. 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
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC105

Incident date

April 5, 2019

Location

وادي الهيرة, Wadi al Hira, Jafara, Libya

Geolocation

32.355833, 13.047222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family was reported killed in a GNA airstrike on Wadi Al Hira near Aziziyah.

DMC news said: “The head of the General Command Information Office of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa al-Obeidi, said that a warplane took off from Misurata airfield bombed a house and killed a family in the Aziziyah region, 45 km south of Tripoli.”

The LNA-affiliated 218 TV published a similar report: “A spokesman for the National Army, Major General Ahmad al-Mismari, said that four aircraft launched airstrikes on the Aziziyah area which did not result in any military casualties, but led to the death of a family.”

Sky News Arabia wrote that “activists said one of the raids hit a house, killing several people from a single family.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Picture supposedly showing the aftermath of the strike (via Sky News Arabia)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Wadi Al Hira (وادي الهيرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.355833 13.047222. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Government of National Accord position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC073

Incident date

May 23, 2017

Location

فندق الواحات, Al Wahat Hotel, Jufra, Libya

Geolocation

29.134234, 15.97206 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported between four and 13 airstrikes on alleged Al Qaeda members in Hun. It remains unclear if civilians were among the dead. 

Libya Observer wrote that fighters rescued civilians from the rubble of the collapsed Al-Wahat hotel. It reported that five people died but didn’t specify if those were civilians or combatants.

Other reports confirmed bombings and showed images of its alleged aftermath, but did not mention civilian deaths or injuries. 24/24 reported 13 strikes, targeting “most of the headquarters of al-Qaeda in Hoon.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Wahat Hotel (فندق الواحات). Analyzing visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location of the strike to these coordinates: 29.134234, 15.97206.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Al Wahat Hotel (فندق الواحات).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Evidence of the strike can be seen in a comparison of satellite imagery available. On the left an image from January 19th, 2017, and on the right an image from September 6th, 2017.

    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
    0 – 5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC108

Incident date

April 10, 2019

Location

قصر بن غشير, Qasr Bin Gashir, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.688716, 13.173889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various sources reported civilians were killed and wounded when a house was hit by a GNA airstrike on Qasr Bin Gashir.

War Information Division said that an aircraft launched from Misurata struck the Milad Al Shamam family home.

Sky News Arabia wrote: “Libyan National Army: Dead and wounded civilians in aerial bombardment of militias targeting a house in the area of Qasr Bin Ghashir south of Tripoli.” Libyan News App published a carbon copy of the report.

Other sources reported airstrikes in Qasr Bin Gashir but did not mention civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Picture of the alleged strike

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Qasr Bin Gashir (قصر بن غشير), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.688716, 13.173889. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Government of National Accord position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC020

Incident date

October 19, 2015

Location

اليثى, Al Leithi, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.094722, 20.1275 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five people, including children, were killed by a shell in Leithi in eastern Benghazi, according to Russia Today.

Russia Today reported: “‘The initial result of the shell that fell on Al-Leithi area is 4 dead and four wounded, mostly children under the age of 10, and there are critical cases,’ said the hospital of Al-Jalaa for surgery and accidents in Benghazi.” One of the wounded later reportedly died in the hospital.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Leithi (اليثى), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.094722, 20.1275. 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 Al Leithi (اليثى).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC048

Incident date

November 12, 2016

Location

قنفودة, Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A man was killed and three of his daughters injured in an airstrike – with some reports suggested two were in fact killed.

Ean Libya reported the death of a man and the wounding of two children when airstrikes hit the Ganfouda area of Benghazi. It reported that the voices of two girls could be heard in the rubble.

Benghazi Post posted a disturbing photo on Twitter of a girl badly burned, reporting that her father was killed and her sisters still were under the rubble.

Emirate affairs reported that UAE warplanes had bombed Ganfouda, “resulting in the deaths of many civilians.” It said, “some civilian children were killed in the strike.”

A Chadian and an Egyptian worker were killed in a UAE drone strike and an LNA strike, according to Saraya Media Center who posted pictures of the two victims on its Telegram channel.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    United Arab Emirates Military, Libyan National Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: Burned, killed her father and sisters under the rubble! Oh God, you see the weakness of our situation and our weakness on people (Source: @benghazip)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A screenshot of the Saraya Media Center post on Telegram
  • Saraya Media center interviews Fathia who was badly injured in the strike

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Ganfouda (قنفودة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.028594, 20.026959. 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 Ganfouda (قنفودة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • United Arab Emirates 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
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    United Arab Emirates Military, Libyan National Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]