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

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Incident Code

LC256

Incident date

December 19, 2019

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.374457, 15.087794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

During a night of heavy LNA and UAE attacks on the city of Misurata – with at least 17 airstrikes reported, mostly targeting military sites – up to six civilians were locally reported injured.

According to Libya al Ahrar, “A medical source confirms to Libya Al-Ahrar the arrival of 6 wounded civilians to the emergency department of the Misurata Medical Center as a result of the bombing of supportive aircraft for Haftar sites in the city.”

Burkan Al Ghadab gave more details, noting that “The Accident and Emergency Department at Misurata Medical Center received 6 injuries as a result of the aerial bombardment of the city of Misurata, two cases were housed in the department, a state underwent an emergency operation and three cases of minor injuries who received first aid and left the department.” It also published photographs of some of the injured.

Al Mashad placed the number injured lower at four, noting that “The Misurata Hospital stated that four civilians were wounded by shrapnel as a result of the aerial bombardment carried out by the air force fighters of the National Army, targeting ammunition storage sites in residential neighborhoods since the late hours of Thursday, which resulted in violent explosions. The Misrata Hospital demanded the Presidential Council to remove weapons and ammunition depots from the population.”

The following day, al Wasat reported that ” the Presidential Council of the National Accord Government condemned the ‘treacherous aerial bombardment’ that targeted the city of Misurata on Thursday, ‘and resulted in the injury of a number of civilians’, noting that the bombing was ‘carried out by a supportive foreign aircraft’ for the commander of the national army, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.”

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
    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 attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • One of the civilians injured in LNA strikes on Misurata on the night of December 19th arrive for treatment at Misurata Medical Centre (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Misurata Medical Centre (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • One of the civilians injured by the LNA in Misurata on December 19th 2019 is treated by medics (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • One of the civilians injured by the LNA in Misurata on December 19th 2019 is treated by medics (via Burkan Al Ghadab)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Misrata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.374457, 15.087794. 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

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • United Arab Emirates Military 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
    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 attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC284

Incident date

January 28, 2020

Location

مدرسة رجب النائب, Rajab Al Naab School, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.834167, 13.216611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four children were allegedly killed by LNA artillery shelling on the Hadaba Al Badri neighbourhood of Tripoli.

Initially sources reported two dead and two injured, referring to a GNA Ministry of Health spokesperson.

The Libya Observer reported: “Three children have been killed and others injured in Al-Hadba Al-Badri neighborhood as Khalifa Haftar’s forces have fired indiscriminate shells on residential areas in southern Tripoli.

The Volcano of Rage Operation’s media office said Tuesday that one of the random shells fired by Haftar’s forces fell near Rajab Al-Naeb School in Al-Hadba Al-Badri area.

Meanwhile, the media consultant of the Health Ministry Ameen Al-Hashimi confirmed the number of killed children and said other children were wounded, adding that they were on their way to school and that they aged between 9 and 12 years old.”

The Field Medicine and Support Center said: “In the context of the tasks assigned to the Center for Field Medicine and Support, a team from the center toured the field to find out the size of the injuries left by the fall of a projectile behind a school in Al-Hadaba Al-Badri region on Tuesday 28 January 2020, which resulted in the martyrdom of three children who were referred to the Mercy House at Tripoli Medical Hospital.

Anas Abdul Hakim Al-Ghazwi, 12 years

Ramadan Orabi, 10 years

Zakaria Jamal Mustafa, 9 years

The child Malik Abdel Hakim Al-Ghazewi entered operations at the Tripoli Medical Hospital.”

Al Wasat also reported that the third child had died.

Emadeddin Badi tweeted that the “last of the 4 child casualties of #Haftar’s LAAF shelling on Hadhba yday (initially 2 killed/2 severely injured) has also died this morning in intensive care due to the severity of his wounds.”

Other sources also later confirmed the death of the fourth child

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Anas Abdul Hakim Al-Ghazwi
12 years old male killed
Ramadan Orabi
10 years old male killed
Zakaria Jamal Mustafa
9 years old male killed
Malik Abdel Hakim Al-Ghazewi
Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (4 children)
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Video of the incident
  • Damaged car after alleged LNA shelling on Tripoli on January 28th, 2020 (via Al Wasat)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ramadan Orabi, allegedly killed by LNA shelling on Tripoli on January 28th, 2020 (via Raif Zak)
  • Blood stain on the ground after alleged LNA shelling on Tripoli on January 22nd, 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Hospital where victims were supposedly treated after alleged LNA shelling on Tripoli on January 22nd, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Rajab Al Naab School (مدرسة رجب النائب) for which the generic coordinates are: 32.834167, 13.216611. 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
    4
  • (4 children)
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC316

Incident date

March 20, 2020

Location

المدينة القديمة, Old Town, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.897051, 13.176511 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, including one child, were reportedly injured by LNA shelling on the Old Town of Tripoli.

The Libya Observer said: “A woman and a little girl were wounded and seven houses were damaged in three rocket attacks by warlord Haftar’s militia groups on the Old Town of Tripoli, an ancient walled city dating back to the Ottoman and Roman times.”

Libya Alahrar TV wrote: “Al-Ahrar correspondent in Tripoli confirmed that the old city was targeted by indiscriminate shells by the militia of Haftar, which resulted in severe damage to 3 houses, near Al Bab Al Jadeed and Darghouth Hammam.

For his part, the spokesman for the local council, the old city, Amer al-Ghazzawi, told Al-Ahrar that the shelling had caused a [female] child to be injured and taken to the hospital, noting that the indiscriminate shelling had caused panic among the residents in their homes.”

TK Yahroug Kl shy reported two injuries as well and seven damaged houses from rocket attacks.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Building allegedly damaged by LNA shelling on Tripoli's Old Town on March 20th, 2020 (via Libya Observer)
  • Building allegedly damaged by LNA shelling on Tripoli's Old Town on March 20th, 2020 (via Libya Observer)
  • Building allegedly damaged by LNA shelling on Tripoli's Old Town on March 20th, 2020 (via Libya Observer)
  • Building allegedly damaged by LNA shelling on Tripoli's Old Town on March 20th, 2020 (via Libya Observer)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Old Town (المدينة القديمة) area  of Tripoli (طرابلس‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.897051, 13.176511. 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC347

Incident date

April 16, 2020

Location

عين زارة, Ain Zara, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.816556, 13.267525 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A neurosurgeon was allegedly killed by LNA shelling on Ain Zara.

Tk Yahroug Kl shy said: “Dr. Abdelmonem Bughafa, a neurosurgeon, was killed in the university hospital, after a random shell landed on his house in Ain Zara, in the capital, Tripoli.”

The Field Medicine and Support Center wrote: “The Center for Field Medicine and Support mourns the affiliation of the University Hospital, Tripoli, Dr. Abdelmonem Bughafa, who died on Thursday 16 4 2020 after being targeted in the Ain Zara region, while he was on his way to inspect his home, where he was treated to the martyr field hospital, Ayman Al-Haramah and was revived, but God’s will was stronger.”

Other sources published similar reports.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdelmonem Bughafa
Adult male Neurosurgeon killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abdelmonem Bughafa, allegedly killed by LNA shelling on Ain Zara on April 16th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Body bag of Abdelmonem Bughafa, allegedly killed by LNA shelling on Ain Zara on April 16th, 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Ain Zara (عين زارة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.816556, 13.267525. 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
  • (1 man1 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC377

Incident date

May 3, 2020

Location

بني وليد, Bani Walid, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

31.796814, 14.055061 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were allegedly killed by a GNA or Turkish drone strike near Bani Walid.

Osama Olabidy tweeted that two young men from the Mashashiya tribe were killed while trying to selling to sell fuel in Bani Walid. In a previous tweet he said they were driving a Toyota Tundra.

218Tv wrote that “there were reports of drone air strikes belonging to Al-Wefaq [GNA] forces to points south of Bani Walid, and the shelling targeted a civilian Tundra car … and killed two people from the Mashashiya.”

The no to military rule Facebook page said the two were in fact LNA member and had been killed by airstrike on Watiyah air base.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Tariq Miftah Al-Harak Al-Mashaei
Adult male killed
Abu Al-Qasim Omar Al-Mashay
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Victim allegedly killed in a drone strike near Bani Walid on May 3rd, 2020 (via No to military rule)
  • Victim allegedly killed in a drone strike near Bani Walid on May 3rd, 2020 (via No to military rule)
  • Victim allegedly killed in a drone strike near Bani Walid on May 3rd, 2020 (via No to military rule)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Bani Walid (بني وليد), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.796814, 14.055061. 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

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Turkish Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Turkish Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC406

Incident date

May 20, 2020

Location

الاصابعة, Asabi'ah, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.516483, 13.167439 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between six and eight civilians, including one child, were allegedly killed by a Turkish drone strike on Asabi’ah.

Libya Witness tweeted: “6 civilians, including a child, were killed in a Turkish raid in the city of Asabi’ah, western Libya.”

A pro-LNA Twitter account said seven civilians and a child were killed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 8
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Asabi’ah (الاصابعة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.516483, 13.167439. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Turkish Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 8
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-132

Incident date

July 31, 2011

Location

مرسى البريقة, Brega, Al Wahat, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

One child was allegedly injured by a NATO or rebel airstrike on Brega.

Surt Son posted a video on Youtube showing the victim named Mohamed Musa. According to the video he was injured by artillery shelling on his home which would point at the rebels as the culprit. The description however says he was bombed by NATO planes.

NATO on this day reported striking “1 Armed Military Vehicle, 6 Multiple Rocket Launchers” in the vicinity of Brega.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohamed Musa
Child male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ 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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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]