All Belligerents in Libya, 2011

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
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Belligerent Assessment
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Incident Code

Lib2011-194

Incident date

October 2, 2011

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 reported that one child was critically injured by an attack by NATO and was being treated at a hospital in Sirte in October 2nd, 2011.

NATO on that day reported hitting “1 multiple rocket launcher, 1 armed vehicle” in the vicinity of Sirte.

There is no further information currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image from a video capturing the child who is in a critical condition in Ibn Sina hospital as a result of indiscriminate bombing by the NATO (via Surt Son Youtube)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption translation: "Child victim of indiscriminate bombing". In the video, the narrator mentioned that the child was at his house and that he does not exceed 10 years old. It was also mentioned that he is being treated at Ibn Sina hospital.

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.

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 Sirte: 1 multiple rocket launcher, 1 armed vehicle.

Libyan rebel forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-109

Incident date

June 17, 2011

Location

الهبارة, Al Habara , Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

32.355603, 15.155468 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On June 17th 2011, pro-Gaddafi forces shelled the city of Misurata, killing ten including eight named victims and wounding 40, according to Reuters. The status of some of those harmed was unclear.

The news agency said: “In Misurata, opposition spokesman Ahmed Hassan said 10 civilians were killed and 40 others wounded when pro-Gaddafi forces bombed the city. The news could not be verified immediately.”

Libya Al Salam wrote: “Halima Dabour, about 55 years old, was martyred in her house, specifically in the Habara area.”

Another Facebook post confirmed ten dead, although no other were able to confirm injuries. At least one civilian woman and two rebels men were among the dead, with the other seven having unclear status.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Al-Siddiq Abdullah Muhammad Al-Qan
Age unknown male Unclear if civilian killed
Muhammad Muhammad Ali Arfaida
Age unknown male Unclear if civilian killed
Ahmed Salem Muhammad Shakalon
Age unknown male Unclear if civilian killed
Suleiman Abdul Salam Muhammad Khader
Age unknown male Unclear if civilian killed
Saleh Ibrahim Ali Al-Triki
Age unknown male Unclear if civilian killed
Ibrahim Ali Ibrahim Labz
Age unknown male Unclear if civilian killed
Halima Omar Dabour's dream
Age unknown female Civilian killed
Ali Salem Hassan Al-Asifar
Age unknown male Unclear if civilian killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–9
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–40

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the area of Al Habara (الهبارة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.355603, 15.155468. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the area of Al Habara (الهبارة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–9
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–40

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-118

Incident date

June 24, 2011

Location

الدافنية, Al Dafiniya, Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

32.390033, 14.7988488 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Rocket fire allegedly launched by Gaddafi’s forces struck the Al Dafiniya area and killed between one and four people and injured between nine and ten.

A Facebook post from News sarkhat Libya alleges that those killed and injured were rebels while a tweet from @shababalnhda alleges that they were civilians.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–4
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–10

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Dafiniyah (الدفنية), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.390033, 14.7988488. 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 Dafiniyah (الدفنية).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–4
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–10

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-099

Incident date

May 28, 2011

Location

بني وليد, Bani Walid, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

31.75805, 13.983513 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 28th, 2011, a demonstrated near the market in Bani Walid lead to the death of 13 civilians, who were shot by Gaddafi aligned forces.

A UN report from 2011 reported the casualty, stating “Together with 12 other young men, an injured man sought refuge in a room on the second floor of a nearby commercial building. Qadhafi forces, reportedly from the Al Fateh Brigade, stormed the building. One of the demonstrators told the Commission that his brother was amongst those who sought refuge in the building.  He spoke to his brother by phone, trying to reassure him. While he was speaking to his brother, the phone went dead. The interviewee was informed later that all the men in the room had been shot dead. One of the soldiers of the Al-Fateh Brigade, [003], was later arrested by the thuwar. While he was in custody, the witness had the opportunity to question him. The soldier said that he had been ordered to reassure the men in the room that they would be safe. The soldier also said that the young men had a number of rifles with them but they had no ammunition. The men had then been shot..”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    13

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town Bani Walid (بني وليد), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.75805, 13.983513. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    13

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-089

Incident date

May 7, 2011

Location

زاوية البقول, Zawiyat Al Baqoul, Yafran, Libya

Geolocation

31.989587, 12.430859 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were allegedly killed by Libyan rebel forces in Zawiyat Al Baqoul.

The UN’s investigation into Libya 2011 later reported the following: “The Commission also received reports of killings of members of other groups perceived to be Qadhafi loyalists, which typically took place in the immediate aftermath of the thuwar gaining control of the area.  The Zintan thuwar, who accuse the Mashashiya community of providing support to the Qadhafi forces during the latter’s siege and shelling of the Nafusa Mountains, have carried out attacks against the entire community including unlawful killings.

“For example, an 82 year-old Mashashiya man from Zawiyat al-Baqoul was shot dead at his home on 7 May 2011, reportedly by thuwar from Zintan.  Regarding another incident, the Commission was informed by two sources interviewed separately that two Mashashiya brothers were shot at point-blank range after capture by Zintan thuwar in front of another brother.  These incidents are examined in greater detail in Annex I, sect. III.F.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

  • UN
    • English
    • English

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Zawiyat Al Baqoul (زاوية البقول), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.989587, 12.430859. 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
    Single source claim
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

  • UN
    • English
    • English

Incident Code

LQ041

Incident date

April 19, 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

According to local sources UAE planes carried out between 13 and 20 fresh airstrikes near the fish market and Sabri areas of Benghazi.

There were no 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
    United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • United Arab Emirates Military 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
    United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ036

Incident date

October 6, 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 what it said was “an air strike targeting a field hospital belonging to terrorist militias in the Qanfouda area.”

Casualties among patients and health workers are not presently known.

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 (1) [ 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
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ025a

Incident date

February 24, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

The LNA launched “accurate” airstrikes against terrorist militias in Qawarsheh and Sabri according to their Facebook page.

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 (1) [ 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
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]