Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

Lib2011-164

Incident date

September 16, 2011

Location

عمارة التأمين , Al Tam’een buildings, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.205986, 16.582817 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On September the 16th, 2011, NATO allegedly bombed a residential building in Sirte called Al Ta’amin building which led to at least two killed and two injured.

According to an Amnesty International report: “At least two residents were killed in two apartments in different parts of the building. ‘Aisha Abdul Jalil al-Mazughi, a mother of two, was killed as she, her husband, Mahmoud Zarruq Masa’ud, and their two young daughters were in their apartment on the fifth floor of the building. The two girls and their father sustained light injuries. Another resident, 27-year-old ‘Ali Omar Mohammed Suleiman, whose family lived in an apartment on the third floor, was killed in the strikes.”

The NATO strike time is contested, Amnesty reported that the strike started at 6 pm and Human Rights Watch claimed that it was at 7 pm on September 16th 2011.

According to Reuters ” NATO attacked the city of Sirte last night with more than 30 rockets directed at the city’s main hotel and the Al Ta’amin building, which consists of more than 90 residential flats,” Gaddafi spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said in a call from a satellite phone to the Reuters office in Tunis which resulted in more than 354 dead and 89 still missing and almost 700 injured in one night,” he added. The Al Ta’meen building is a landmark building in the centre of Sirte.” However, it is to be noted that Reuters was unable to verify Ibrahim’s account of the incident. Gaddafi-held areas have been cut off from communication since the fall of Tripoli.

Different local sources reported that hundreds of civilians were killed and dozens were injured due to the NATO’s bombing of the Al Ta’amin residential building.

Independent reports by human rights NGOs after the civil war assessed that claims by the Gaddafi regime had been hugely exaggerated.

NATO on that day reported hitting “5 Command and Controle Nodes, 3 Radar Systems, 4 Armed Vehicles, 8 Air Missile Systems” in the vicinity of Sirte.

The incident occured between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • Transcription: Al Hakika TV Reporter said that dozens were injured and hundreds were killed in NATO's bombing on the building. Also, the video shows the destruction that was caused by the bombing that took place on September 16th 2011 (via 42alfatah)
  • Transcription: A man speaking of the NATO's crime in bombing a civilian residential buildings in Sirte (Al Ta'amin buildings, Al Atba'a Hall, etc) that caused the death of hundreds of people living there on on September 16th 2011 (via 42alfatah)
  • A video capturing the destruction that was caused to the civilian building due to the NATO bombing on September 16th 2011 (via 42alfatah)
  • A video capturing the damage that is caused by the NATO forces on the civilian building from the inside. Also, unexploded ammunition is shown inside the building on September 16th 2011. (via 1388AMG)
  • "Apartment building struck on 16th September 2011 in Sirte (via Amnesty International)"
  • "Apartment building struck by NATO on 16th September 2011 in Sirte (via Amnesty International)"
  • The video showing for Ali Omar Muhammed Suleiman al-Gaddafi father. He said his son was still under rubbles waiting to pull his body up and also the video is capturing the destruction of the building that was caused by the NATO forces on September the 16th 2011. (via teamsirte)
  • Caption translation: "The residential complex in Sirte (Insurance Building) is a large residential complex that contains 90 apartments. The exterior of the complex after the bombing." (via Srab Ama Facebook post)
  • Ali Omar Muhammed Suleiman Al-Gaddafi was killed by the NATO bombing on the insurance building, Sirte (via Sirt boys Facebook post)
  • A picture of the insurance (Al Ta’min) building in Sirte that was bombed by the NATO Alliance. The bombing witnessed the fall of dozens of martyrs and missing bodies who have not been found on the September the 16th 2011 (via @anvwl Facebook post)
  • A picture of the insurance (Al Ta’min) building in Sirte that was bombed by the NATO Alliance on September the 16th 2011 (via @anvwl Facebook post)
  • Comments on a Facebook post referring that two people were killed, Ali Omar Muhammed Suleiman al-Gaddafi (on the 16/09/2011) and the wife of Mahmoud Zarouk, in the NATO bombing of the the insurance (Al Ta’min) building in Sirte on September the 16th 2011.
  • Ali Omar Muhammed Suleiman Al-Gaddafi was killed by the NATO bombing on the insurance building, Sirte on September 16th 2011 ( via @anvwl Facebook post)
  • An image of the destroyed insurance building in Sirte that was bombed by the NATO Alliance on September the 16th 2011 (via @anvwl Facebook post)
  • A memorial Facebook post for Ali Omar Mohamed Aswaisi Al-Khatri Al-Qaddafi who was killed due to the NATO's bombing on the Insurance building in Sirte on September 16th, 2011 (via Salem Al Khatr Facebook post)
  • "The eighth airstrike took place on Al Ta’meen buildings in Sirte at 7pm as NATO airstrikes targeted the buildings with several airstrikes. Names of civilians killed: -Ayesha Abd Al Jalil Banour Bashir, 40years old, female (wife and mother) who was 5 months pregnant. -Ali Omar Muhammed Aswesi, 27 years old male Names of civilians injured: Mahmoud Al Zarouk Al Sulaimani, male (husband of Aysha Bashir) - Tahani Mahmoud Al Sulaimani, female, 4 years old." (via Mustafa Al Fiyouri book)

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Tam’een apartment complex (عمارة التأمين) being struck in downtown Sirte (سرت‎). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.205986, 16.582817.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Al Tam’een apartment complex (عمارة التأمين) being struck in downtown Sirte (سرت‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • The exact location within the context of the city.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Distribution of tags on available satellite imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

NATO forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

NATO forces

In the vicinity of Sirte: 5 Command and ControleNodes, 3 Radar Systems, 4 Armed Vehicles, 8 Air Missile Systems

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-165

Incident date

September 16, 2011

Location

الحي رقم 3, Neighbourhood No. 3, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.204873, 16.600943 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A boy and his mother were killed by NATO bombing in the third residential area in Sirte in September 16th 2011.

Various condolence pages reported their death without providing further details.

NATO on that day reported striking “5 Command and Controle Nodes, 3 Radar Systems, 4 Armed Vehicles, 8 Air Missile Systems” near Sirte.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • An image of Gabriel Abdul Rahim Muhammad Asbaka al-Wumli Al-Qaddafi who was killed in Sirte in September 16th 2011 (via Sirte martyrs)
  • "A memorial picture of Amsoura Abu Bakr Abdullah Al-Mabrouk Al-Jahsh who was killed in Sirte in September 16th 2011 (the date is documented in the image) - (via The Martyer Mu’tsem Billah Al Gaddafi Facebook page)"
  • Card translation Name: Gabriel Abd al-Rahim Muhammad Asbaqa al-Qaddafi al-Wumli Date and place of birth: 2003, Sirte city Died in September 16th 2011 in Sirte
  • Card translation Name:Amsoura Abu Bakr Abdullah Al-Mabrouk Al-Jahsh Date and place of birth: 1969, Tarhunah Died in September 16th 2011 in Sirte
  • An image of Gabriel Abdul Rahim Muhammad Asbaka al-Wumli Al-Qaddafi (8 years old) who was killed by the NATO in Sirte in September 16th 2011 (via Khamis Al Gaddafi Al Qawaseem Facebook post)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the third neighbourhood (الحي رقم 3) of Sirte (سرت‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.204873, 16.600943. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the third neighbourhood (الحي رقم 3) of Sirte (سرت‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Gaddafi Forces

In the vicinity of Sirte: 5 Command and ControleNodes, 3 Radar Systems, 4 Armed Vehicles, 8 Air Missile Systems.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-162

Incident date

September 15, 2011

Location

الحي رقم 2, Neighbourhood No 2, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.208213, 16.566095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 30 and 64 civilians were allegedly killed in a NATO airstrike on neighbourhood No 2 in Sirte.

Mustafa Al Fitouri wrote in his book, naming 46 civilians: “The seventh air strike took place in Sirte on 15th September at 7pm where the warplanes targeted a gathering of civilian vehicles inside and near it a group of youth civilians and led to killing between 30 and 58 civilians and I were able to documunate number of them.”

Tk Yahrouq Kl shy posted 58 names of which four belong to another incident.

Sirte September 15th martyrs wrote: “On that sad evening, when NATO aircraft bombed a group of young people and children from civilians of the city of Sirte in District No. 2.

The victims of that treacherous attack were 58 young men and children.”

Afrigate News put the death toll at 56.

Salah Traboulsi said 59 people had been killed.

Number 15th martyrs posted a list with 65 names on Facebook, one of them belonging to a different incident.

NATO declared having hit “1 Military Storage Facility, 2 Armed Vehicles, 1 Tank, 4 Multiple Rocket Launchers, 8 Air Missile Systems” near Sirte on that day.”

It later assessed the incident saying: “Multiple vehicles with substantial numbers of associated military personnel on the ground over an extended period.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (11)

Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Child male killed
Age unknown male killed

Family members (14)

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed

Family members (5)

Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30 – 64
  • (2 children4 women27 men)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (69) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Miftah Al-Ammari, allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on September 15th, 2011 (via Sirte september 15th martyrs)
  • Ahmed Abu Shweishah, allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on September 15th, 2011 (via Sirte september 15th martyrs)
  • Abdullah Milad Majdoubi Gaddafi, allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on September 15th, 2011 (via Sirte september 15th martyrs)
  • Ali Hasan Al Mabrouk Al Warfali, allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on September 15th, 2011 (via Sirte september 15th martyrs)
  • Yusef Arhumah Abusaksa Al-Sulaimani, allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on September 15th, 2011 (via Sirte september 15th martyrs)
  • Tariq Muhammad Al-Sharif, allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on September 15th, 2011 (via Sirte september 15th martyrs)
  • Hatem Jibril Souf Al-Droui and Moez Juma'a Souf, allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on September 15th, 2011 (via Sirte september 15th martyrs)
  • Victims allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on September 15th, 2011 (via Sirte september 15th martyrs)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood No. 2 (الحي رقم 2) of Sirte (سرت‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.208213, 16.566095. 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 No. 2 (الحي رقم 2) of Sirte (سرت‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

NATO forces
  • Mar 8, 2011
  • Multiple vehicles with substantial numbers of associated military personnel on the ground over an extended period.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30 – 64
  • (2 children4 women27 men)
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (69) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-160

Incident date

September 10, 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

Dozens of people (between 24 to 36) people were killed in Benghazi on September 10, 2011 when they were demonstrating their support of Bani Walid according to a Facebook posts from Ahmed Azzawi Mahmoud and Fedayeen Muammar Gaddafi in southern Tunisia

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 36
  • 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
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (2) [ 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
    24 – 36
  • 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
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-159

Incident date

September 7, 2011

Location

ابالحنيوة, Al Haniyah, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.018033, 16.919868 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was reported killed by a NATO or Rebel forces airstrike on the Al Haniyeh neighbourhood of Sirte.

Nour Al Din Nasser Al Zanki said that “he suffered full body and face burns, cut wounds to the right leg, and amputation of a toe on the right foot. He died several days later.”

Sirte martyrs reported: “The martyr Abu Nawf and his father, the martyr Abu Ajila Al-Jayer Abu Nawf Al-Tarshani Al-Gaddafi, Abu Nawf was martyred on 07/09 2011 as a result of his injury in the Al-Haniyeh area and died of surgery in Ibn Sina Hospital”. It is unclear whether his father also deceased in the attack.

NATO on that day reported hitting “5 Armoured Fighting Vehicles, 2 Armed Vehicles” in the vicinity of Sirte.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

12 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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 attackers
    NATO forces, Libyan rebel forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abushnaf Abu Ajila, allegedly killed in NATO or Rebel forces airstrike on Sirte on September 7th, 2011 (via Surt Son)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village Al Haniyah (ابالحنيوة) named after the valley stretching to the north, for which the generic coordinates are: 31.018033, 16.919868. 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

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
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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 attackers
    NATO forces, Libyan rebel forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-158

Incident date

September 7, 2011

Location

التسعين, Al Tes'een, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.012631, 17.448006 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On September 7th, 2011 NATO forces bombed the Al Tes’seen near Sirte, killing a 60 year old woman and injuring two children, a four year old girl and nine year old boy. Another unnamed woman was shown on video in the hospital, but it was unclear if she had died as a result of the strikes.

The woman killed was named as Saada al-Zayani, who died during surgery from injuries due to the bombing. The four year old girl was injured in the chest, while the nine year old boy suffered injuries to his right leg.

Nour Al Din Nasser Al Zanki reported the names, while a Surt Son video, dated on September 7th, showed the unnamed woman.

NATO reported hitting “5 Armoured Fighting Vehicles, 2 Armed Vehicles” in Sirte on that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

4 years old female injured
9 years old male injured
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Unnamed woman, from a Surt Son video dated September 7, 2011

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area of Al Tes’een (التسعين), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.012631, 17.448006. 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

In the vicinity of Sirte: 5 Armoured Fighting Vehicles, 2 Armed Vehicles

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

YEMYEM004

Incident date

September 2, 2011

Location

الكود, Al Kud, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.086120, 45.361937 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least four people, three women and a man, were killed in alleged Yemeni strikes on Al-Kud on September 2, 2011.

On the second of September, a tweet from @YemenLatestNews reported that four people from the same family were killed as part of a Yemeni airstrike against suspected Al Qaeda operatives. Barakish.net also reported that four individuals were killed, describing the victims as three women and one man. It was reported that a shell struck the civilian home “by mistake”. Witnesses to the bombing as well as a reporter from Barakish.net noted that Al Qaeda operatives have been hiding in civilian homes for cover and have planted mines around the roads and bridges in the Al-Kud region as they fled that area.

Amnesty International gave a more complete report of the event, noting that three women and one man were killed, and the civilians were among the last families left still living in the battered Al-Kud region. The victims were named as Mariam Ahmed Ibrahim Ali al-Sobeihi, her sister Ansa Ahmed Ibrahim Ali al-Sobeihi, their mother So’oud Ali Hassan, and stepfather Abdullah Ali bin Ali. The family, who according to the report, remained in the village to tend to their lambs, were discovered under the remnants of their home by Mariam’s son.

Mariam’s son told Amnesty International: “I took a donkey to a farm that has a well not far from our home. I fetched water for the lambs and then heard loud explosions. I hurried back home and I saw that the ceiling had fallen almost in one piece to the ground. There was so much dust that I couldn’t see well… There was no movement, no sound… so I thought my family had gone somewhere else. I went to nearby homes that belong to my grandfather and my grandmother and I was shouting like a madman: ‘Mum! Auntie!…’ There was no answer. I returned home and the dust had settled by then… My eyes caught an orange cloth with red roses on it from under the rubble; it was my mother’s dress… she was wearing it that day… I couldn’t handle it. I froze to the spot.”

“Then my two cousins, including one whose mother was under the rubble, came from Aden to force us to go with them because they could hear the intense shelling from there. I told them they were all under the rubble… We were all shocked… We started removing the rubble until we reached them. They were covered in dust mixed with blood. They were all dead. We wrapped them in long cloths… we couldn’t bury them in al-Kawd because Ansar al-Shari’a were based in the cemetery… my cousin called his friend from Ja’ar who came with his car and helped us take them to Ja’ar… we buried them in its cemetery.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Mariam Ahmed Ibrahim Ali al-Sobeihi
female killed
Ansa Ahmed Ibrahim Ali alSobeihi
female Mariam's sister killed
So’oud Ali Hassan
female Mother to Mariam and Ansa killed
Abdullah Ali bin Ali
male Stepfather to Mariam and Ansa killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 women1 man)
  • 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
    Yemeni Air Force
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Kud (الكود), for which the generic coordinates are: 13.086120, 45.361937. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Yemeni Air Force Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Yemeni Air Force
  • Yemeni Air Force position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 women1 man)
  • 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
    Yemeni Air Force
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-156

Incident date

September 2, 2011

Location

وادي الأحمر, Wadi Al Ahmar, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

30.907725, 17.518703 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 45 people, including men and women, were found dead in September in a mass grave in the Red Valley near Sirte after being tortured and killed by Gaddafi’s forces. One person survived and was left with the dead in the grave.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    45
  • (2 women2 men)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Wadi Al Ahmar (وادي الأحمر) area, for which the generic coordinates are: 30.907725, 17.518703. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Wadi Al Ahmar (وادي الأحمر) area.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    45
  • (2 women2 men)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]