Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Belligerent Assessment
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Incident Code

Lib2011-193

Incident date

October 2, 2011

Location

مسجد الفرقان, Al Furqan mosque, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.195983, 16.580374 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

During Isha prayers in the evening prayers, an indiscriminate attack was launched on Al Furqan Mosque by NATO, resulted in several injures to worshipers who later were moved to Ibn Sina Hospital in Sirte, in the second of October 2011.

A source affiliated with Gaddafi, against the day 17 in Libya, claims that due to this attack on the mosque, 15 civilians were killed, and dozens were injured.

In the video that was posted on Youtube by Surt Son, the narrator claims that five civilians had been killed.

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 incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption translation: "A doctor was injured during evening prayers in the mosque"

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption translation: "Al-Furqan Mosque was hit by a NATO" In the video, the narrator states that the attack took place during Isha (evening) prayer. There is a written caption on the video that states that the attack took place on the third of October; however, the narrator mentions in the beginning of the video that it was taken on October, the second 2011.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Furqan mosque (مسجد الفرقان), for which the coordinates are: 31.195983, 16.580374.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Al Furqan mosque (مسجد الفرقان).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-101

Incident date

May 31, 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

On May 31st 2011, sources told Al Jazeera of casualties in Tripoli due to NATO bombing in the area. No numbers were provided, and it was unclear if these casualties were civilians or belligerents.

The source said: “NATO renewed its bombing of several locations, including the Libyan capital, Tripoli, at dawn today, which, according to official sources, left material and human losses.”

17th February Revolution Libya mentioned bombardment of a tobacco factory “which is believed to be used as a gathering place for mercenaries and battalions.”

NATO reports airstrikes “in the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Vehicle Storage Facility, 3 Surface-To-Air Missile Launchers”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a tobacco factory being struck in the city of Tripoli (طرابلس‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Tripoli are: 32.886602, 13.190912.

NATO forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

NATO forces

31 May: In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Vehicle Storage Facility, 3 Surface-To-Air Missile Launchers.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-197

Incident date

October 4, 2011

Location

مدينة زوارة, Zuwara City, Libya

Airwars assessment

On October 4th, 2011, shelling on Zuwara City killed ten civilians. It was unclear who fired the shelling, as well as what the combatant status of the casualties were. No injury counts were confirmed as well.

On Facebook, the saadalibya page stated “Ten civilians were killed in Zuwara after two mortar shells landed”.

A tweet from ZuwaraPost mentioned that the al-Ahrar TV team also survived after shelling on their residence.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Gaddafi Forces, Libyan rebel forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–10

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

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

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
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Gaddafi Forces, Libyan rebel forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–10

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-095

Incident date

May 15, 2011

Location

النادي الأهلي الرياضي, Al Ahly Club, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.856667, 13.141111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 15th, 2011, one civilian, a young man, was shot dead in Tripoli by Gaddafi forces during a protest in Tripoli in front of the al-Ahly Club. No injury numbers could be found, reported only by a Facebook post from the “Only Libya” page.

“Only Libya” reported the casualty, stating “A demonstration took place yesterday night in front of Al-Ahly Tripoli Club in Al-Riyadiah. About 500 people were met with bullets, and a young man was killed.”

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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Ahly Club (النادي الأهلي الرياضي) in the city of Tripoli (طرابلس),  for which the generic coordinates are: 32.856667, 13.141111. 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
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-161

Incident date

September 13, 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

At least one man was killed in Tripoli by rebels on September 13, 2011 according to the UN Report Source Page 83.

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ 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.

Libyan rebel forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC025

Incident date

March 6, 2016

Location

جارف, Jarf, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.078051, 16.312600 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man died and his son and another man were wounded in an airstrike on the village of Jarf, local media reported.

Multiple sources, including Ewan Libya, named the fatality as Muhammad Hessar Amouri, adding that his son Abu-Shiba Abdulrahman Abustah was wounded, as was a third man, named as Omran Zerouq Khattari.

According to @AbuzeidSultan, the Muhammad Hessar Amouri was the father of eight children, and he was killed when the strike hit the shops in Jarf.

Citing a local resident, Reuters also reported the death of one civilian in Sirte. The local blamed military forces in western Misrata, which supported the Tripoli government.

Additionally, Ewan Libya reported that unidentified airstrikes hit Sirte in the city centre, the town Jarf in the south of Sirte and Thahair in the outskirts. The strikes reportedly targeted ISIL forces who were claimed to have gathered in these areas. A source told Ewan Libya that houses were damaged – but made no mention of civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Hessar Amouri
Adult male Via Hani Adem killed
Abu Shiba Abdulrahman
Adult male Via Hani Adem injured
Omran Zerouq Khattari
Adult male Via Hani Adem injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Aerial bombardment in the outskirts of the city of Sirte in the village of Jarif and the martyrdom of Muhammad Hisar and wounded Abushiba and Omaran al-Zarrouq al-Khadiry from Gadadga (Source: Hani Adem)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jarf (جارف), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.078051, 16.312600. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC100

Incident date

January 16, 2019

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli: Airport area, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.692666, 13.143217 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The death of Mahmud Al Temzini was reported as a result from renewed militia shelling in the south of Tripoli.

Abu Salim Media reported: “A shell fell on a farm near Tripoli airport and led to the death of the civilian Mahmud al-Tamziti.”

Libya Now mentioned he was the father of three children.

Haithem H O Hellash and Libya Alhader said it was, in fact, a tank shell.

The Tripoli Wounded Affairs Administration reported a total of two civilian deaths and two injuries from the clashes. These numbers can, however, include casualties from gunfights. Three combatants were reported killed and 36 reportedly injured.

Local reports indicate that GNA-affiliated militias or the rival 7th Brigade are responsible for the shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mahmud Al Temzini
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the incident
  • Statistics from the clashes

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Tripoli Airport (طرابلس‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.692666, 13.143217. 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
    1
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC131

Incident date

April 28, 2019

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

One civilian was allegedly killed following an LNA airstrike on Ain Zara.

Libya Alahrar TV reported: “Civilian neighborhoods in Salaheddin and Ain Zara were hit by aerial bombardment of night air for the second consecutive day.

The spokesman for the ambulance and emergency department, Osama Ali, told the Free Libya Channel that the aerial bombardment caused the death of an African worker in the area of Ain Zara, he said.”

In a different video, also posted by Libya Alahrar TV, it was said that the damage was caused by a Grad rocket.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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]

  • Video of the aftermath

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]