Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

Lib2011-075

Incident date

April 23, 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

Gaddafi forces bombing of Misurata allegedly killed 40 civilians and injured many more, according to a major news channel.

Al Jazeera reported at the time: “40 people were killed and dozens of others wounded in a bombing carried out by the Gaddafi Brigades on Saturday on the city of Misurata”

There is currently no additional known public information regarding this event.

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
    40
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–36
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    40
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–36
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-074

Incident date

April 23, 2011

Location

سبها‎, Sabha, Libya

Geolocation

27.038804, 14.426567 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Dozens of civilians were reportedly injured in a NATO airstrike near Sabha.

A video by Libya Tears showed footage of civilians being treated in a hospital after an alleged  airstrike. The caption reads: “This is what NATO has done to protect civilians with Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973. At the instigation of our brothers and God, the killing of children and the displacement of safe families instil fear in the hearts of children and hit them with the strongest bombs carrying the explosive uranium and destroy everything the people of Libya need.”

NATO did not report conducting any strikes near Sabha on that day.

There is currently no additional public information known for this event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    NATO forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The video allegedly showing the victims

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Sabha (سبها‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 27.038804, 14.426567. 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 type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    NATO forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-073

Incident date

April 22, 2011

Location

باب العزيزية, Bab Al Azizia, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.871451, 13.172594 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported killed in a NATO airstrike near Tripoli.

Breaking News posted on Twitter: “Libya update: 3 die when NATO airstrike hits parking lot at Gadhafi compound in Tripoli – Govt. spokesman via Reuters.”

Other sources published similar news, referring back to the government spokesperson.

The Huffington post reported that the area was mostly used by the military: “NATO jets hit a target near Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s compound in central Tripoli early on Saturday, which the government described as a car park but which Reuters reporters said looked like a bunker.

Government spokesman Mussa Ibrahim said three people were killed by the “very powerful explosion” near Gaddafi’s Bab al-Aziziyah compound in the early hours of Saturday.

Reuters said cars were parked on the empty land but the area was surrounded by a wall and guarded by watchtowers and soldiers, suggesting it was not simply wasteland.

Its reporters saw two large holes in the ground, where the bombs had torn through a layer of soil, followed by a layer of reinforced concrete, to pierce what appeared to be an underground bunker.” NATO itself said it struck two bunkers on that day in Tripoli but did not mention civilian harm.

According to independent monitors, throughout the NATO campaign civilian casualty numbers provided by the Gaddafi regime were said to be inflated.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Report by BBC Arabic mentioning civilian casualties in Tripoli

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Bab Al Azizia (باب العزيزية),  for which the generic coordinates are: 32.871451, 13.172594. 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
    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

  • NATO did not target health or water facilities, including those at military sites, at any time during OUP. On 23 April, there were strikes at five separate deliberate targets including command and control and ammunition bunkers. No known health or water facilities were within the target or weapons effects areas, and post-strike battle damage assessment indicated no collateral damage. In addition, 14 dynamic targets (main battle tanks, missile and rocket launchers, tank carriers, other military vehicles and a military command post) were struck in the Misrata and central regions; assessment by the aircraft delivering the weapon immediately following these strikes gave no indication of collateral damage.

Original strike reports

NATO forces
Official source

In Tripoli: 2 command and control bunkers.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-072

Incident date

April 20, 2011

Location

خلة الفرجان, Khallet Al Furjan, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.795738, 13.217038 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians were reported killed and 18 other injured in Tripoli as a result of NATO bombing.

Arab Anger Revolution claimed that “NATO aircraft launched two air raids on the Libyan capital Tripoli on Wednesday evening, killing several people. Government television said seven people were killed and 18 others wounded when four rockets were fired at the Furjan area of ​​the capital.”

NATO itself reported six strikes on that day on “2 heavy equipment transporters, 3 armored vehicles” and “1 ammunition storage site” but did not admit to any civilian harm.

According to independent monitors, throughout the NATO campaign civilian casualty numbers provided by the Gaddafi regime were reportedly inflated.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    18
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Khallet Al Furjan (خلة الفرجان).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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 Tripoli: 2 heavy equipment transporters, 3 armored vehicles, 1 ammunition storage site.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    18
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (3) [ 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

Lib2011-068

Incident date

April 12, 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

Three civilians were reported killed and one injured as a result of Gaddafi forces shelling on Misurata.

An ITN report showed people mourning the loss of “two brothers” due to indiscriminate shelling. Later, two injured children are shown in the film, of which one was said to have died at the hospital.

There are currently no known additional public sources relating to this event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    ITN report showing victims of the shelling [4:05]

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-067

Incident date

April 12, 2011

Location

ككلة‎, Kikla, Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

32.068305, 12.693740 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that civilians were killed in a NATO airstrike on Kikla.

According to Rassd News: “Monitoring Libyan TV: NATO air raid on the town of ‘Kikla’ south of Tripoli, killing civilians and policemen.”

NATO did not report any airstrikes near Kikla on that day.

There is currently no further known information for this event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • 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 town of Kikla ( ككلة‎ ), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.068305, 12.69374. 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • 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

Lib2011-063

Incident date

April 7, 2011

Location

القوارشة, Al Qawarsheh, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

On April 7th, 2011, the body of an unidentified man was found in the Al Qawarsheh neighborhood of Benghazi, suspected to have been killed by Libyan rebel forces. A UN report cites the death of the man.

The UN report states “the General Prosecution in Benghazi indicating that a body of an unidentified black man found in the Kawarsha outskirts of Benghazi was brought on 7 April 2011 with gunshot wounds to the back of the head.”

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
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Al Qawarsheh (القوارشة) in the city of Benghazi (بنغازي), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.021389, 20.073056. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Al Qawarsheh (القوارشة) in the city of Benghazi (بنغازي).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]