Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

LC098

Incident date

November 14, 2018

Location

طريق يربط السواني بقصر بن جشير, Road connecting Al Swani and Qasr Bin Gashir, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.697466, 13.126259 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported injured as a result of indiscriminate artillery shelling in Qasr bin Ghashir south of Tripoli.

A single source, United Libyan, posted on Facebook that “citizen Abdul Basit Bouziane was injured by shrapnel as a result of indiscriminate missiles near Jiha road between the Suwani and the palace.”

Azzawiyah News 24 published a carbon copy of the post.

The source did not name the culprit of the attack. According to local media, clashes between the 7th Brigade and GNA-affiliated militias occurred on that day south of Tripoli.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Via United Libyan injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of the man allegedly injured by shrapnel

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the road connecting the towns of Al Swani (السواني) and Qasr Bin Gashir (قصر بن غشير), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.697466, 13.126259. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the road connecting the towns of Al Swani (السواني) and Qasr Bin Gashir (قصر بن غشير).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ060

Incident date

November 1, 2017

Location

ورشفانة, Wershafana, Jafara, Libya

Geolocation

32.55048, 12.981661 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Facebook sources reported “indiscriminate” shelling of Wershefana, 45km from Tripoli, with a BM-21 Grad.

According to one source, Amany El Weshahy, the attack displaced civilians from the area. However there were no reports at the time of civilian harm.

The War is Boring blog also reported artillery shelling but with Chinese GP1 laser-guided ammunition which was it said was first misidentified by Libya Times as a Raytheon Excalibur.

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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ034

Incident date

August 29, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

The LNA self-reported MiG-23 strikes on “armed militias” in Ganfouda.

However, Benghazi News claimed on Twitter that three airstrikes had been deliberately aimed at civilian infrastructure.

Russia Today added that the bombardment led to a demonstration asking to lift the siege on Ganfouda. It also reported that “Libyan media sources said Monday that the Council of Elders of Misurata condemned the aerial bombardment of Qanfouda in a statement, saying it was ‘a crime committed by the forces of Hafter and foreign forces that support them against defenceless civilians.”

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 (3) [ 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
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ022

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Power plant, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.202222, 20.133611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The LNA reported that it conducted airstrikes against ISIS in Benghazi. The Air Force targeted a field hospital and an ammuniton store in Sidi Faraj, a camp in Garyounis, ISIS centres in Sabri and Al-Leithi and various vehicles at the axis of the Safsafa project.

An UNSMIL report later noted that a power plant had been hit by an airstrike, and condemned the action against civilian infrastructure.

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 (2) [ 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
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC111

Incident date

April 12, 2019

Location

سوق الخميس امسيحل, Sog Al Khmies Emsihel, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.526766, 13.223462 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An elderly woman was allegedly injured in a GNA airstrike on Sog Al-Khmies Emsihel.

War Information Division posted a video where the injurey was reported.

Huna Sog Al-Khmies said that “the house of Abdul Hamid Al Zaidi” was damaged in the incident and posted pictures of the destruction.

Other sources only reported bombing but no civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the aftermath

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sog Al Khmies Emsihel (سوق الخميس امسيحل), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.526766, 13.223462. 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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-103

Incident date

June 4, 2011

Location

نالوت‎, Nalut, Libya

Geolocation

31.873316, 10.976744 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 10 and 14 civilians were reportedly injured by Gaddafi forces artillery shelling on Nalut.

Libya Women tweeted: “The Gaddafi Brigades carried out rocket and mortar bombardments on the town of Nalut and the number of wounded was 10.”

Later it published another post saying the number of wounded had risen to 14. Other sources posted similar numbers.

17 Feb 2011 uploaded a video to Youtube showing victims, with some of them in military style uniforms.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–14
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported injured
    5–7

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video showing the alleged victims

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Nalut (نالوت‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.873316, 10.976744. 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 type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–14
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported injured
    5–7

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC155

Incident date

June 20, 2019

Location

بمحور مطار طرابلس, Tripoli: Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli , Libya

Geolocation

32.895041, 13.2923412 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that that a photographer was injured in “violent clashes” near Tripoli airport on June 20th.

According to this source, the Libya Observer, “a photographer who works for the agency # France_press Hamza Turkiya was lightly injured while covering the violent clashes taking place today at the hub of Tripoli airport between the Libyan army forces and the war criminal militias Haftar.”

No other information is known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, Government of National Accord

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, Government of National Accord

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC215

Incident date

October 9, 2019

Location

مصحة العافية, Vicinity of Al Alfia clinic, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.674661, 13.174749 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Civilian casualties were alleged after indiscriminate artillery shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir.

Tk Yahrouq Kl shy wrote: “There are civilian casualties after several indiscriminate shells landed in Qasr Bin Gashir area of Al-Majal’a neighborhood, beside 108 buildings.”

Hona Souq Al-Khmies only reported heavy damage to residential buildings but did not mention civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • Damage to a building caused by shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on October 9th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damage to a car caused by shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on October 9th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damage to a building caused by shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on October 9th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damage to a car caused by shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on October 9th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damage to a car caused by shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on October 9th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damage to a car caused by shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on October 9th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damage to a car caused by shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on October 9th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damage to a building caused by shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on October 9th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damage to a building caused by shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on October 9th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damage to a building caused by shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on October 9th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damage to a building caused by shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on October 9th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damage to a building caused by shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on October 9th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damage to a building caused by shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on October 9th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damage to a building caused by shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on October 9th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damage to a building caused by shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on October 9th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damage to a building caused by shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on October 9th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Alfia clinic (مصحة العافية), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.674661, 13.174749. 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

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]