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

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

Incident Code

Lib2011-016

Incident date

February 20–21, 2011

Location

فشلوم و تاجوراء, Fashloum and Tajoura, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.864063, 13.275073 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 20th and 21st 2011, Gaddafi forces launched artillery and airstrikes on Tripoli, injuring dozens and killing over 200, according to local claims. Agence France Presse quoted witnesses reporting massacres in the neighbourhoods of Fashalom and Tajoura. Other eyewitnesses reported helicopter bombings in the Souq al-Jumaa area.

A video showed helicopters over the skies of Tripoli, dated the 21st. Other videos showed the injured in Tripoli’s central hospital, dated the 20th. Mercenary forces were reported to be among the actors involved in these strikes in Tripoli, occupying al-Jumhuriya street in Fashalom.

A UN investigation later stated that “doctors informed the Commission that between 20-21 February 2011 over 200 bodies were brought into morgues”.

Adel Mohamad Saleh was quoted in Al-Jazeera as reporting over 250 dead, while the BBC spoke of reports of 150 fatalities in Tripoli.

A Facebook post from the group ‘If the people want their freedom’ stated: “On 21-02-2011, between nine and eleven at night, anti-aircraft shells were flying in the sky, when the Khamis Brigade was hit with anti-aircraft guns in the Fashlum area in Tripoli. These anti-aircraft machine guns had also struck at the dwellings, the doors of the dwellings, and whatever”.

One source stated that over 700 were killed overall, although this number was not reflected by any other sources.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    150 – 700
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–36
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A brief video reported to be showing a helicopter over Tripoli on Feb 20, 2011. From the 17feb2011 Youtube channel.
  • The image shows several cars and armed men standing outside a street, reported the al-Jumhuriya Street, at the intersection of the Fashlum Al-Dhahra neighborhood in Tripoli. Image from the Taha Krewi Facebook page, dated Feb 21, 2011.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Fashloum (فشلوم) and the town of Tajoura (تاجوراء) within the Tripoli (طرابلس) district. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates of a middle point between these two locations are: 32.864063, 13.275073.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Fashloum (فشلوم) and the town of Tajoura (تاجوراء) within the Tripoli (طرابلس) district.

    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
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    150 – 700
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–36
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-014

Incident date

February 19, 2011

Location

نادي الحيا, Nadi Al Hiyat Football Ground, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.373889, 15.085000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 19th, 2011, four protestors were shot by Gaddafi security forces, and between three to five other protestors were injured in Misrata. Amnesty and Wiki News confirmed the casualties.

Among the victims were Khaled Abu Shahma, a 42 year old firefighter and father of seven, Ali Hussein al-Dweik, a 43 year old journalist, and 30 year old Khaled Ibrahim al-Sriti, and 22 year old Abdel Hakim Ahmed Abou Zakiya, and an unnamed 27 year old stationary shop owner.

Amnesty quotes “100 demonstrations started on 19 February, initially in solidarity with protesters in Benghazi. After security forces used force and firearms, protesters started calling for the downfall of the al-Gaddafi regime Almost immediately, the first protester was killed. Khaled Abu Shahma, a 42-year-old firefighter and father of seven, was shot in the abdomen at about 3pm and died shortly after.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Abu Shahma
42 years old male killed
Ali Hussein al-Dweik
43 years old male killed
Khaled Ibrahim al-Sriti
30 years old male killed
Abdel Hakim Ahmed Abou Zakiya
22 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Nadi Al Hiyat football ground (نادي الحيا) in the city of Misrata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.373889, 15.085000. 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
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-013

Incident date

February 19, 2011

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.112582, 20.082151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 19th, 2011, up to 120 civilians were killed and 100 injured as a result of protests in Benghazi by Gaddafi security forces, who fired live rounds as a result of clashes. Amnesty and Wiki news confirmed the casualties, alongside two mentions in the UN commission report.

Wiki news reports “Thousands of people went out in a funeral procession and went to the Benghazi cemetery to bury the dead in the confrontations of the past two days, but security forces shot them with live bullets from their machine guns, leaving dozens dead and wounded”.

Other tweets reported the killings in specific neighborhoods.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 120
  • Civilians reported injured
    100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Benghazi (بنغازي‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.112582, 20.082151. 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
    20 – 120
  • Civilians reported injured
    100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-012

Incident date

February 18, 2011

Location

البيضان, Al Bayda, Al Wahat, Libya

Geolocation

32.759849, 21.752794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 18th, 2011, at least 14 people were killed and dozens were wounded in, as reported by the French Press Agency. Two members of the security forces were also reported hanged.

Wiki news reports “At least 14 people were killed and dozens wounded in the demonstrations. The French Press Agency also reported that the protesters had hanged two security men, and it is considered the first city to be liberated by the rebels.”

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
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bayda (البيضاء), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.759849, 21.752794. 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
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-011

Incident date

February 18, 2011

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.112582, 20.082151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 18th, 2011, between 20 and 37 protestors were shot dead and between 20 to 30 injured as a result of protests in Benghazi. DW news confirmed the injuries and wounded, alongside a UN report confirming more wounded.

al-Arabiya reports “Urgent: The death toll from the confrontations in Libya has risen to 27, twenty of them in Benghazi and seven in Derna”.

Multiple other sources reported varying numbers of dead and injured, including videos.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 37
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Benghazi (بنغازي‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.112582, 20.082151. 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
    20 – 37
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-010

Incident date

February 18, 2011

Location

البيضان, Al Bayda, Al Wahat, Libya

Geolocation

32.759849, 21.752794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 18th, 2011, 35 protestors were shot dead in al-Bayda, reported by multiple sources.

Al-Jazeera reports “In Al-Bayda, near Benghazi, human rights organizations and opposition websites reported at least 14 dead, while other sources told Al-Jazeera Net of 35 dead.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 35
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–36
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Baydaa (البيضاء), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.759849, 21.752794. 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
    14 – 35
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–36
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-009

Incident date

February 18, 2011

Location

قرب قاعدة حسين الجويفل في الشحات, Near Hussein Al Jaweifi Military Base, Jabal al Akhdar, Libya

Geolocation

32.804491, 21.876513 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 18th, 2011, Amnesty International reported that two civilians were reported killed at the protests in the Hussein al-Jaweifi military base in Shahat, from soldiers who fired at the protestors. Ruqayya al-Mabrok al-Hassi, an 11 year old girl, was killed as a result of a stray bullet.

Amnesty quotes “A bullet fired from the base struck a building across the main road, killing 12-year-old Roqaya Fawzi Mabrouk as she was looking out of her bedroom window at about 3am.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ruqayya Al-Mabrouk Al-Hassi, who was the first reported child killed in protests. From the February 17th martyrs Facebook page "https://www.facebook.com/259971927376077/photos/a.259986060707997/262449503794986/"

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Hussein Al Jaweifi military base (قاعدة حسني الجويفي العسكرية) in the town of Shahat (شحات), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.804491, 21.876513. 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
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-008

Incident date

February 17, 2011

Location

الزنتان, Zintan, Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

31.930396, 12.250838 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 17th, 2011, Wiki news reported the death of a single demonstrator due to a confrontation with the Gaddafi security forces in Zintan.

No other casualties were reported.

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 city of Zintan (الزنتان), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.930396, 12.250838. 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]