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

LQ069

Incident date

October 1, 2018

Location

طرابلس‎: مطار معيتيقة, Tripoli: 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

Various local sources reported artillery shelling on Tripoli Mitiga Airport leading to a temporary suspension of flights.

218 TV said: “The international airport of Mitiga announced the suspension of its flights until further notice, due to the repeated exposure to indiscriminate missiles by unknown parties who haven’t as yet revealed their identity.”

Libya Alahrar TV wrote that “the Minister of the Interior in the Government of National Accord, Abdul Salam Ashour, reported the fall of a shell at the airport of Muaitika International without causing any damage.

For its part, the international airport announced on its Facebook page to suspend flights to the airport until further notice, without giving details.”

The Libya Observer said flights were resumed a day later.

Reports of indiscriminate artillery shelling point at the 7th Brigade or GNA-affiliated militias as the perpetrator.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, 7th Brigade

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Images of the aftermath
  • More pictures of the incident

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
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, 7th Brigade

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC055

Incident date

January 2, 2017

Location

سبها‎, Gwirat al-Mal checkpoint, Sabha, Libya

Geolocation

27.180096, 14.5336246 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in an alleged GNA/Misurata Air Force strike on the road leading to Sabha, local media reported.

According to m.boshgma, “A military aircraft of the Third Force took off from the Tamanhint base and targeted the road leading to the city, injuring civilians”.

AJEL.Ardalsharif.News and krama1951libya published carbon copies of this report.

Anas.zidane.14 also reported civilian casualties. It added that the aim of the strike “was to bomb the army forces and the deputy of the presidential council, Mausi al-Kony”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Gwirat al-Mal checkpoint (قويرة المال) near Sabha (سبها‎). The coordinates for the Gwirat al-Mal checkpoint are 27.180096, 14.5336246.

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ013

Incident date

September 28, 2015

Location

بنغازي‎, port, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.110556, 20.043889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported LNA air and artillery strikes in the Sabri and fish market neighbourhoods, and near the cement factory. In addition, a boat allegedly loaded with weapons trying to enter Marissa port was targeted.

There were no known public reports of civilian harm.

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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video shows some footages in the battlefield in Benghazi led by LNA including Helicopter attacks (Source: LNA media office)

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 (6) [ 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

LC167

Incident date

July 17, 2019

Location

عرادة, Arada, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.871846, 13.245006 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was reportedly injured in an LNA artillery strike on the Arada neigbourhood of Tripoli.

Tk Yahrouk kl shy2 said: “A shell fell on the house of Al Zarkani family in the area of Arada near the school of Abdullah bin Masood and there is material damage and a small child injured.”

February TV wrote: “A child was injured when a shell fell on his family’s home in the Arada area of Tripoli.”

In a different post it reported LNA bombing.

An Amnesty International investigation later said: “A week earlier, on 17 July 2019, at about 9.40 in the evening, a “Grad” rocket landed in the courtyard of the al-Zorqani family, injuring a 10-year-old child, Abdelaziz Abdelmola al-Zorqani. His uncle told Amnesty International:

‘The boy was here in the courtyard when a rocket landed and he was injured in the abdomen, the forehead, the left shoulder and the right leg. They were bad injuries. Now he is hospital in Tunis. It was a powerful strike, you can see the damage all around, on the wall of the house and the car. Several sheep were also killed by the shrapnel. What are we supposed to do if we can’t keep safe even in our homes?’

Fragments recovered at the scene by Amnesty International investigators confirm that the weapon was a 122mm 9M22U ‘Grad’ rocket.”

The incident occured at approximately 9:40 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Abdelaziz Abdelmola al-Zorqani
10 years old male injured

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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Arada (عرادة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.871846, 13.245006. 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 Arada (عرادة).

    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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC195

Incident date

September 13, 2019

Location

مدرسة ابو عقدة, Abu Aqada School, Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

32.048889, 13.281111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly killed in a GNA airstrike on Al Ja’afarah.

Tk Yahrouq Kl shy reported: “Warplane bombardment of Al Wefaq [GNA] on the Abu Aqada school, which led to the death of Salem Klish of the Jaafra tribe.”

Hona Souq Al-Khmies only reported GNA airstrikes but no civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Salem Klish
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the alleged strike

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Abu Aqada School (مدرسة ابو عقدة) allegedly within Al Jafarah (الجعافرة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates of Al Jafarah are: 32.048889, 13.281111.

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
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC227

Incident date

October 24, 2019

Location

وادي الربيع, Wadi al Rabie, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.709600, 13.382378 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A nurse was reportedly injured in an LNA airstrike on a field hospital in Wadi al Rabie.

Al Wasat reported: “The media office of Operation Volcano of Wrath announced that a nurse was injured in an aerial bombardment that targeted the field hospital in Wadi al Rabie axis south of the capital Tripoli.

The office said that the nurse was taken to a hospital in the capital for treatment, noting that the bombing caused extensive damage to the hospital, and the destruction of a number of ambulances.”

Other sources published similar accounts.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely 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
    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 (14) [ collapse]

  • Picture of the field hospital allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • A car allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Picture of the field hospital allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Cars allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Building allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Building allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Impact of an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Ordnance allegedly used in an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Ordnance allegedly used in an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • A car allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • An ambulance allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • A car and an ambulance allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • A car and an ambulance allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • An ambulance allegedly damaged by an airstrike on October 24th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Wadi Al Rabie (الطويشة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.709600, 13.382378. 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 Wadi Al Rabie (الطويشة).

    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
    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
    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

LC253

Incident date

December 13, 2019

Location

مشروع الهضبة, Hadaba project, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.838333, 13.175278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly killed by LNA artillery shelling on the Hadaba project area of Tripoli.

Tarhuna 24 said: “Artillery shelling targets Al-Wefaq [GNA] concentrations in Hadaba project.”

Tripoli 219 wrote: “Also today’s evening, in the [Hadaba] project, a random shell landed on a citizen who had been hospitalized. Unfortunately, he died in the hospital.”

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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
  • Suspected target
    GNA

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Hadaba Project (مشروع الهضبة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.838333, 13.175278. 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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
  • Suspected target
    GNA

Sources (2) [ collapse]