Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

Lib2011-090

Incident date

May 10, 2011

Location

العليا للأطفال وسط, High Committee for Children, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.898242, 13.206442 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 10th at 2am local time, NATO conducted airstrikes in Tripoli, injuring at least four children, with two seriously injured, according to two sources. Multiple sources confirmed at least three explosions, with one centred on the government building housing the Higher Committee for Children.

Al Jazeera said: “Reuters quoted Libyan officials as saying that four children were injured by flying glass, and two of them were seriously injured. Officials showed foreign journalists damage to a hospital’s glass, saying it was caused by the NATO missile strike.”

Akhbar reported the same casualty toll, citing Reuters as well.

A locally shot video shows a news crew walking through the rubble in the government building housing the Higher Commission for Children. Another shows the ruins of a residential area reported to have been hit by the airstrikes.

Agence France-Presse reported four explosions at 2am local time, followed by two more explosions. At least three explosions were confirmed by CNN. Multiple sources confirmed explosions on a nearby hospital as well.

NATO itself only confirmed airstrikes on “6 Vehicle Storages, 3 Ammunition Storages, 1 Surface-To-Air Missile Launcher, 1 Self-Propelled Anti Aircraft Gun” in the vicinity of Tripoli.

The incident occured at 02:00:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The video shows a news crew walking through the rubble of the building housing the Higher Commission for Children. Libyan authorities have stated that this building was completely destroyed by the airstrikes.
  • The video shows the bombings on what is reported to be residential buildings housing doctors. The Libyan government spokesman at the time, Moussa Ibrahim, told CNN that a hospital had been hit "indirectly".

Geolocation notes (5) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the building of the High Committee for Children ( العليا للأطفال وسط) being struck in central Tripoli (طرابلس). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 32.898242, 13.206442.

  • Reports of the incident mention the building of the High Committee for Children (العليا للأطفال وسط) being struck in central Tripoli (طرابلس).

  • Close up of exact location with evidence of damage.

  • Tagged satellite imagery according to audio-visual material from sources.

  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources.

  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources.

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: 6 Vehicle Storages, 3 Ammunition Storages, 1 Surface-To-Air Missile
Launcher, 1 Self-Propelled Anti Aircraft Gun.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-199

Incident date

October 5, 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

On October 5th, 2011, a single Moroccan woman was reported to have been injured by a mortar shell in Sirte. The mortar was suspected to have been fired by Libyan rebel forces. Multiple sources reported on the injury of the woman, although no additional information was provided.

An al-Jamahiriya post stated that “A Moroccan woman was wounded after a mortar shell fell on her home in Sirte.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • 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 attacker
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (5) [ 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.

Libyan rebel forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Libyan rebel forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • 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 attacker
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-019

Incident date

February 24, 2011

Location

ميدان الشهداء‎, Martyrs Square, Zawiya, Libya

Geolocation

32.759709, 12.732495 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 24th, 2011, between seven and ten were reported killed by Gaddafi forces in Martyr’s Square in Zawiya, with between 40 and 50 injured. UN reports and various tweets corroborated the casualties, alongside the killings of four Gaddafi soldiers.

The UN report states “The remainder of Qadhafi forces were overpowered by protesters and retreated outside the city. Four Qadhafi soldiers were captured. An eyewitness told the Commission that one of the captured soldiers was beaten to death in by an angry mob, while the other was hung from the Bir al-Ghanem bridge, at a distance of about 1.5 kilometres from the Square”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Name unknown
Age unknown

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Martyrs’ Square (ميدان الشهداء‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.895, 13.181111. 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
    7 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-204

Incident date

October 12, 2011

Location

سرت‎, Western Sirte, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.20892, 16.58866 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 42 civilians were killed near the western Sirte frontline and were found on October 12, 2011 according to Elaph.

According to Anis Faraj, a witness who claimed he shared a cell with those that were found dead, about 47 men were being held in a cell and they were taken to Musassim Gaddafi, the son of Colonel Gaddafi, and shot but Anis was able to escape with the help of a sympathetic soldier.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    42
  • (42 other protected persons)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the western front of Sirte (سرت). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Sirte are: 31.190547, 16.571441.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    42
  • (42 other protected persons)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC086

Incident date

August 31, 2018

Location

Tripoli: Al Wadan hotel, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.893428, 13.190984 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported injured from indiscriminate artillery shelling on the Al Wadan hotel in Tripoli.

Sky News reported: “A hotel in the centre of Tripoli was bombed indiscriminately, injuring at least three people amid fighting between rival militias aspiring to take power in the Libyan capital.

The rocket hit the fourth floor of the Wadan Hotel, 100 meters from the Italian Embassy.

The missile also caused heavy damage inside and outside the hotel, forcing the evacuation.”

Alwasat published a similar report: “Ambulances rushed to the Wadan Hotel in the centre of Tripoli on Saturday after being subjected to indiscriminate bombardment in the ongoing clashes in the capital since Sunday.”

Local sources reported clashes between GNA-affiliated militias and the 7th Brigade at the time of the incident.

The incident occured at 05:50:00 local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, 7th Brigade

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Images of the impact of the shelling on Al Wadan hotel.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Wadan Hotel being struck, for which the generic coordinates are: 32.893428, 13.190984. 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

7th Brigade Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    7th Brigade
  • 7th Brigade position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, 7th Brigade

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ048

Incident date

June 18, 2017

Location

بنغازي‎, Sabri, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.136111, 20.078889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported almost 30 new air raids on Benghazi by LNA forces, mostly centred near the Sabri and fish market areas.

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

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 (2) [ 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC031

Incident date

June 2, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Al Qawarishah, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.021758, 20.077171 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An LNA MiG-21 carried out a series of airstrikes in Al-Shajar Street and hit one target near the Gwaresh buildings according to its social media.

A single Twitter source added that LNA forces had hit a civilian house with barrel bombs, claiming that “Haftar Air targets more civilian houses with explosive barrels.” There were no other claims of civilian casualties or infrastructure damage.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Shajar street (بشارع الشجر), allegedly within the neighbourhood of Al Qawarishah (قرقارش). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Qawarishah are: 32.021758, 20.077171.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Al Shajar street (بشارع الشجر), allegedly within the neighbourhood of Al Qawarishah (قرقارش).

    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
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ011

Incident date

September 26, 2015

Location

بنغازي‎, 319 camp, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.075556, 20.150556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six LNA airstrikes and artillery actions reportedly hit Bouatni, the fish market area and Sabri in Benghazi. One airstrike also hit a boat allegedly loaded with weapons trying to enter Marissa port.

According to Akhbar Libya 24, Ansar al-Sharia responded with indiscriminate artillery shelling on residential areas to the strikes but only caused damage to the 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Picture of the alleged aftermath (via belreish)
  • Picture of the alleged aftermath (via belreish)
  • Picture of the alleged aftermath (via belreish)

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 (8) [ collapse]