Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

Lib2011-046

Incident date

March 22, 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 four children were reported killed in a possible attack on Misurata by Gaddafi regime forces.

RTE wrote that “Forces loyal to Gaddafi are shelling the rebel-held western city of Misrata and casualties include four children killed when the car they were in was hit, Reuters is reporting.”

And the BBC noted: “AFP reported that sniper fire and bombing operations killed 17 people, including 5 children, in Misrata on Tuesday during attempts by pro-Gaddafi forces to regain control of the city.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 17
  • (4–5 children)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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 attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

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.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 17
  • (4–5 children)
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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 attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC019a

Incident date

August 1, 2015

Location

اجدابيا: مبنى التدريب المهني, Ajdabiya Vocational Training Center, Al Wahat, Libya

Geolocation

30.746096, 20.234558 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and four people were reportedly killed in an alleged LNA airstrike on Ajdabiya.

Belreish said that “two people were killed and two Syrian workers were injured in a marble workshop. They were injured by shrapnel from aerial bombardment.”

Tariq Gibrel wrote that two Syrians were killed, two injured and two Chadian injured.

Amrajaa Shahhat reported that two Syrians were killed, four more injured and another two Chadians wounded.

Bngazy22 wrote on Twitter that “at least four Egyptian workers were killed in the industrial area of Ajdabiya as a result of the bombing of the aircraft of the criminal Haftar.”

Other sources reported that airstrikes targeted the Islamic State in the area.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Ajdabiya 2 Syrians killed, 4 wounded 2 Chadian and 2 Syrians, whose members are not known now as a result of the bombing of the Libyan army Industrial District (Source: @tariqgibrel)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike targeted the Ajdabiya Vocational Training Center (مبنى التدريب المهني), for which the coordinates are: 30.746096, 20.234558. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Image showing location of Vocational Training Center in Ajdabiya

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    2 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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

LC023

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

درنة‎: باب طبرق, Bab Tobruk, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.752637, 22.640017 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unknown aircraft bombed the Bab Tobruk neighbourhood near the medical centre in Derna, which led to the death of a woman and her child, according to local and international sources.

The three strikes, which reportedly targeted the Shura Council, damaged the Al Wahda hospital and the Omar bin Khattab mosque in the Zuhour district of Bab Tobruk. According to various sources, the strikes also hit a neighbourhood that wasn’t controlled by ISIS.

No warring party in Libya or any foreign government claimed responsibility for the attack. Libya Observer and Digital Journal later reported that Muftah Hamza, commander of the Al-Hilah axis, had accused the UAE of being responsible for the strikes.
Saqr el-Jerroushi from Libya’s internationally recognised government accused a “neighbouring country” of having conducted the airstrikes.

Ean Youth reported that “four people, including a child, a woman and two other youths” were killed. Other sources added that heavy damage had been caused to homes in the area.

Alnabaa News reported that of the four killed, two were “fighters of the Mujahideen Shura Council of Darnah”, suggesting that they were not civilians.

Alwasat news has listed the four victims names including one child, his mother and two adults.

While it has been stated in the HRW report that “Two bombs struck the Al-Wahda Hospital compound in the Bab Tobruk area, killing at least two civilians, including a child, and causing extensive damage”.

The incident occured at approximately 5:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Mistura al-Derasi
Age unknown female Via Alwasat news killed
Mohammed Juma
Child male Via Alwasat news killed
Walid Boukhatwa
Age unknown male Via Alwasat news killed
Muhamed al-Obeidi
Age unknown male Via Alwasat news killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • An image shows the aftermath of the airstrike allegedly conducted by LNA in Derna (Source: Al-Nabaa TV)
  • A picture shows the aftermath of the airstrike allegedly conducted by LNA in Derna (Source: Alwasat)
  • An image shows people gathering around the place followed an alleged LNA airstrike in Derna (Source: Alwasat News)
  • An image shows a building damaged followed an alleged LNA airstrike on Derna (Source: Alwasat News)
  • A report video: unknown aeroplane conducted airstrike in Derna which led to killing at least four people (Source: Alwasat news)
  • Translation: Libya Now | A statement of the Crisis Committee of the city of Derna in Tripoli condemn the aerial bombardment of Bab Tobruk (Source: @libyaalaan)
  • Translation: A condemn by the crises committee in the eastern coast Derna regarding the bombardment of Bab Tobruk (Source: @fawzi898)
  • An image shows the damage of Al-Wihda Hospital staff housing units in Derna, followed alleged airstrikes on February 7, 2016 (Source: HRW)
  • A picture shows the damage of Al-Wihda Hospital in Derna, followed alleged airstrikes on February 7, 2016 (Source: HRW)
  • A picture shows the damage of Al-Wihda Hospital in Derna, followed alleged airstrikes on February 7, 2016 (Source: HRW)
  • An image shows the damage of Al-Wihda Hospital in Derna, followed alleged airstrikes on February 7, 2016 (Source: HRW)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: 1 - The killing of a child and his mother by an air raid by unidentified aircraft dawn today on civilian houses in Bab Tobruk district of the city of Derna, east of Libya (Source: @ ahmad_khalifa78)

Geolocation notes (6) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention several airstrikes targeting the Bab Tobruk (باب طبرق) neighborhood in Derna (درنة). After investigating visual material from sources, we narrowed the locations of these airstrikes to a parking lot and a medical complex, the exact coordinates for which are 32.755768, 22.639904 and 32.752637, 22.640017, respectively. At least two civilians were killed in the strike targeting the latter location.

  • Image from scene of airstrike targeting parking lot

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Satellite image showing parking lot targeted by airstrike

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Image showing features destroyed in airstrike targeting medical complex, including medical school, staff residences, and mosque. Note tag "D" refers to the water tower barely visible behind the line of trees.

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Image showing line of trees abutting location of airstrike targeting medical complex

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Image showing features destroyed in airstrike targeting medical complex

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Image showing features destroyed in airstrike targeting medical complex. Note the water tower tagged "D" that was barely visible behind the row of trees. Also note the large mosque at the bottom left of the image.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • United Arab Emirates Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC058

Incident date

January 5, 2017

Location

قنفودة, Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Libya Alahrar TV reported on Facebook that four children were killed in an airstrike in Ganfouda carried out by the UAE in support of LNA. A two-family house was reportedly hit in the strike.

Other sources, such as Morasel Benghazi and bngazy22, also reported the death of four children, some of them quoting the Saraya Media Center.

Al-Saraya Media Center reported that 4 children from 2 familes were killed in the Benghazi neighbourhood of Ganfouda by airstrikes.

Aareen Alasood posted extremely graphic pictures of the victims on Twitter.

According to Abdulqader Alqainin reported that 14 airstrikes in Benghazi were recorded on that day.

Alnabaa reported four UAE drone strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Ganfouda (قنفودة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.028594, 20.026959. 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 Ganfouda (قنفودة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC185

Incident date

August 24, 2019

Location

سوق الكريمية الاستثماري, Vicinity of Al Keramia Market, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.752289, 13.087297 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and four civilians were allegedly killed in an LNA or UAE airstrike on Al-Swani.

The Libya Observer tweeted: “Military Source: An airstrike carried out by UAE-backed Haftar’s air force militia destroys a civilian’s car killing three family members fleeing the fighting in Swani region, south Tripoli.”

Hona Souq Al-Khmies also put the death toll at three.

The GNA’s Burkan Al Ghadab operation reported the same number of victims and added a few more were injured.

Libya Alahrar TV quoted the mayor of Al Swani, saying that three civilians were killed by an LNA airstrike. It later updated the number to four.

According to 218TV, a media outlet close to the LNA, “National Army spokesman Major General Ahmed al-Mesmari denied on Saturday that the army’s air force targeted a civilian car in Al-Swani area south of Tripoli, killing a number of civilians.

Al-Mesmari quoted the Air Force as saying that the images from the scene of the explosion indicate that the car in question was hit by a missile or a launcher from the left rear side, causing damage on that side only that could not be caused by aviation ammunition.”

Libya’s Channel also said the LNA confirmed the strikes without admitting to civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Video of the aftermath
  • Pictures of the aftermath
  • More pictures of the aftermath
  • More pictures from the incident

Geolocation notes (5) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Keramia Market (سوق الكريمية الاستثماري) in the neighbourhood of Al Keramia (الكريمية). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to these exact coordinates: 32.752289, 13.087297.

  • Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Keramia Market (سوق الكريمية الاستثماري) in the neighbourhood of Al Keramia (الكريمية).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

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 type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-071

Incident date

April 20, 2011

Location

بئر الغنم, Bi'r al Ghanam, Zawiya, Libya

Geolocation

32.311608, 12.569035 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were reported killed in a NATO airstrike on Bi’r al Ghanam near Tripoli.

Arab Anger Revolution posted on Facebook that “Earlier, four people were killed in the Bi’r al-Ghanam area, southwest of the capital, after an airstrike by the alliance on civilian and military targets.”

NATO did not report airstrikes in the area on that day.

There is currently no further known public information available for this event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bi’r al Ghanam (بئر الغنم), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.311608, 12.569035. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

NATO forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-026

Incident date

March 2, 2011

Location

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

Four civilians were reported killed and ten more wounded in an airstrike by the Gaddafi regime in Brega.

Only one source, Naji Alive, reported civilians casualties, via Twitter: “Four killed and 10 injured in airstrikes targeting Brega city west of Benghazi.”

Other sources, such as NPR, only reported airstrikes by the regime: “‘Huge plumes of smoke rose into the air’ after the warplanes attacked, Garcia-Navarro reported from Brega. She said it appeared that Gadhafi was ‘pulling out all the stops’ to regain large swaths of opposition-controlled eastern Libya.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Brega (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.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC063

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Location

مدرسة تحرير ليبيا, راس لانوف, Medical Centre, Ras Lanuf, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

30.582425, 18.418298 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various sources reported LNA airstrikes in Libya’s oil crescent. Strikes in all the major oil ports were mentioned but no further details on the exact locations were given, except for one source which said a raid took place in the Ras Lanuf area.

Human Rights Solidarity later said that one strike hit the Ras Lanuf Medical Centre, resulting in the deaths of two or three ambulance drivers and another man who was taking care of a patient. The strike reportedly also caused damage to the hospital building and two ambulance cars outside. Libya Today TV posted images of the damage on Facebook and also said there were casualties.

Manila Bulletin reported that at least nine soldiers were also killed near Sidra and Ras Lanuf.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 men)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Medical Centre (مدرسة تحرير ليبيا) in Ras Lanuf (راس لانوف), for which the generic coordinates are: 30.582425, 18.418298. 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
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 men)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]