Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

Lib2011-184

Incident date

September 27, 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

Various sources reported that a woman was killed and a child lost his eyesight due to injures by NATO attack in Sirte, in September 27th 2011.

Sadikat al Qa’ed comment on Nour Al-Din Nasser Al Zanki Facebook post stated that a child with the woman suffered injures; however, it is unclear if he was the same child referred to hereabove.

NATO on that day reported hitting “1 ammunition /vehicle storage facility” in the vicinity of Sirte.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Alia Khalaf Allah Abu Bakr Ahrir Al-Amouri Gaddafi علياء خلف الله أبوبكر أحرير العموري القذافي
27 years old female born in 1984 killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video caption : "This child lost his sight as a result of shrapnel from NATO". In the video, the day of attack was stated which is September, 27th 2011 (via Surt Son)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    This image is taken from a video posted by Surt Son; 'child injured by rebels bombardment on Sirte city'

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video shows several pictures of civilians, children included, who were killed by NATO strikes in September 27th 2011. (via The golden General)
  • Alia Khalaf Allah Abu Bakr Ahrir Al-Amouri Gaddafi death certificate (via Sirte martyrs)
  • Another image of Alia Khalaf Allah Abu Bakr Ahrir Al-Amouri Gaddafi who was killed in Sirte, on September 27th 2011 (via Sirte martyrs)

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 ammunition /vehicle storage facility.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-110

Incident date

June 18, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.352072, 15.206979 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman was reported killed by Gaddafi forces artillery shelling on Misurata.

Alia Libya said: “Twelve rockets fell on Saturday morning, June 18, in the eastern neighborhoods of the city of Misurata, and no civilian casualties were reported.”

Shorouk News, however, noted: “A missile attack on the same area yesterday killed a woman in her garden, according to a neighbour.”

Ramadan Salim listed her name as Mabrouka Yusef Ahmad Musa.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Mabrouka Yusef Ahmad Musa
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the eastern neighborhoods of Misrata (مصراتة) near the seaport, for which the coordinates are: 32.352072, 15.206979. Due to limited information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the eastern neighborhoods of Misrata (مصراتة) near the seaport.

    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
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-210

Incident date

October 30, 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

According to a single source, 48 people were killed and 50 injured by an airstrike on Sirte. It is unclear who conducted the attack and if the victims were civilians.

Magical_Libya tweeted: “Urgent Libya Al-Sumud A correspondent of Libya Al-Samoud said in Sirte that about 48 people were killed and 50 wounded in a missile strike targeting a building in the city.”

There is currently no further information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 48
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–50
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–48
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–50

Sources (1) [ 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.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 48
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–50
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–48
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–50

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-138

Incident date

August 9, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

At least 16 people, identified as Egyptian workers, were killed by Gaddafi forces on August 9, 2011 in Misrata according to Abdul Asallak’s post on YouTube and a tweet by @tounsiahourra.

Multiple sources stated that those killed were Egyptian workers who worked in a warehouse in the Kararim area of Misrata. A video posted by Abdul Asallak’s on YouTube shows more than 10 dead bodies in a pile.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Misurata (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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC426

Incident date

July 9, 2021

Location

سيدي حسين, Sid Hussein, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.112797, 20.070677 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the first reported civilian harm event involving explosive weapons use in Libya since March, several outlets said that four civilians had been injured by shelling from an unknown party on the Sidi Hussein neighbourhood of Benghazi. The injured were taken for treatment at the al-Jalaa Hospital.

The hospital released the following statement: “Doctors of Al-Jalaa Hospital, Benghazi, received four injured as a result of the shelling that occurred in the Sidi Hussein area, according to the injured. Three of them received first aid and left the hospital, while the other was accommodated in one of the departments.”

Photographs from the scene showed several cars damaged by the shell. It was unclear which party or faction might have conducted what appeared to be a random attack. Libya Alahrar noted concerns about “armed militia and random shooting” in the city.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Vehicles damaged by a shell from an unknown party, Benghazi, July 9th 2021 (via Bengazi24)
  • Vehicles damaged by a shell from an unknown party, Benghazi, July 9th 2021 (via Bengazi24)
  • Vehicles damaged by a shell from an unknown party, Benghazi, July 9th 2021 (via Bengazi24)
  • Vehicles damaged by a shell from an unknown party, Benghazi, July 9th 2021 (via Bengazi24)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Sidi Hussein (سيدي حسين), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.112797, 20.070677. 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 Sidi Hussein (سيدي حسين).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown 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
    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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ063

Incident date

December 10, 2017

Location

بنغازي‎, Municipal hotel, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.123611, 20.070833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Civilian infrastructure in Benghazi was targeted by LNA strikes, according to local sources
Libya Today TV reported that an LNA strike in central Benghazi – in the Akhribesh area – resulted in the destruction of “infrastructure and public and private property of citizens.”

Ayon Benghazi reported strikes in the vicinity of a hotel, and several other outlets reported strikes in Akhribesh.

At the moment there are no monitored reports of civilian casualties.

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 (5) [ 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ034a

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi: Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.028594, 20.026959 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A UAE reportedly targeted a residential area in Benghazi.

Libya Alahrar TV reported: “Al-Saraya Media Center: a foreign aircraft without a pilot targeted a house inhabited by a family in Ganfouda in Benghazi.”

Nosa posted on Twitter that “so far four air raids have been launched by the UAE UAV on Ganfouda and the Chinese 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
    United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (9) [ 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ024

Incident date

February 8, 2016

Location

درنة‎, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.757426, 22.637601 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A Libyan Air Force MIG-23 was shot down in the Sidi Khalid area, 35 km West of Derna, after conducting airstrikes in Derna according to various sources. Apparently, the plane had shelled the 400 neighbourhoods in retaliation for the killing of civilians on February 7th.

The Libya Observer reported that the Derna Shura Council, which had been targeted by the plane, downed it. The pilot Younis Al-Dinali made it out alive. He claimed that the jet crashed due to a technical malfunction.

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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video shows A Libyan Air Force MIG-23 that was shot down in the Sidi Khalid area

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 (4) [ collapse]