Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

Lib2011-061

Incident date

April 6, 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

On April 6th 2011, Gaddafi forces launched an airstrike or artillery shelling on Misurata in the evening that resulted in the reported deaths of five people and the injuring of an additional 25.

Al Jazeera said that five people were killed and 25 others wounded in the bombing on areas controlled by the rebels in Misurata, the third-largest city in Libya. The port was temporarily closed as a result.

@egyptynewsnet also said five were killed.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ 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.

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
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-060

Incident date

April 5, 2011

Location

شارع طرابلس ومنطقة الميناء, Tripoli Street and the Port, Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

32.369469, 15.083981 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On April 5th 2011, two civilians were reported killed and 26 injured as a result of artillery shelling by Gaddafi forces on the city of Misurata. The bombing was said to have started at 10am.

According to Al Jazeera, “A Libyan rebel said today, Wednesday, that two people were killed and 26 wounded in artillery shelling launched by the security brigades loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi on the city of Misrata.”

Another rebel man said, “The pro-Gaddafi forces bombed Misrata, but the bombing has now stopped … The attacks were mainly around the port and the Tripoli Street area near the city centre.”

The man, Abd al-Salam, said in a phone call to Reuters that Misrata was bombed by tanks, artillery and mortar shells, mainly in Tripoli Street and the Mina area, noting that the bombing began at ten in the morning yesterday and stopped at five in the afternoon the same day.

There is currently no further information available.

The incident occured at 10:00:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    26
  • 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 targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention strikes around the port (الميناء‎) area and Tripoli street (شارع طرابلس) in the city of Misurata (مصراتة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the port of Misurata are: 32.363523, 15.218700. The generic coordinates for Tripoli street are: 32.369469, 15.083981.

  • Reports of the incident mention strikes around the port (الميناء‎) area and Tripoli street (شارع طرابلس) in the city of Misurata (مصراتة).

    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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    26
  • 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 targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-059

Incident date

April 1–2, 2011

Location

ككلة, Kikla, Libya

Geolocation

32.062768, 12.6951295 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Pro Gaddafi forces bombed the town of Kikla for two consecutive days, on both April 1st and 2nd 2011 by airstrikes or artillery shelling, which resulted in 30 civilians being killed and dozens being injured according to local and international reports.

France 24 wrote: “One of the residents, who asked not to be named, said, ‘Gaddafi forces have randomly fired dozens of Grad-type shells at the city. The bombing has continued since Friday.’

‘More than 30 people were killed and dozens were injured. Many families left the city. But we have problems evacuating the elderly,’ he added.”

@libya2p0 tweeted similar information.

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
    30
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 targets
    Other, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kikla (ككلة‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.062768, 12.6951295. 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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 targets
    Other, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-058

Incident date

April 1, 2011

Location

مرسى 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

Between ten and 13 rebel fighters were reportedly killed in friendly fire by a NATO airstrike near Brega. This included three medical students, whom Airwars has classed as non combatants.

While Al Jazeera provided the lowest death toll at ten, the BBC reported: “At least 13 people are reported to have been killed when a coalition plane flying over Libya fired on a rebel convoy between Brega and Ajdabiya on Friday, the rebels say.

Doctors at a hospital in Ajdabiya told the BBC that three medical students were among the dead. Nato said it was looking into the incident but that it was very difficult to verify details about what happened.”

Apparently the aircraft struck because “the rebels were on their way to Brega when they fired into the air with an anti-aircraft gun, the BBC’s Nick Springate reported from the scene of the attack.”

The New York Times also said 13 rebels were killed and quoted two injured fighters.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (3) [ 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.

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
    3
  • (3 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-057

Incident date

April 1, 2011

Location

مرسى 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

Between six and seven civilians were reported killed in a NATO airstrike in the outskirts of Brega.

The BBC wrote: “A direct hit on an ammunition truck and trailer in a street in Zawia el Argobe sent a hail of shrapnel into nearby houses, [Dr Refardi] said. Four of the dead were female, including three children from the same family, aged between 12 and 16, the BBC’s Ben Brown reports from Brega.

“Dr Refardi said he had spoken to the family of the girls who had been killed and ‘there was no anger’ at the coalition forces. ‘If these tanks had entered Ajdabiya it would have been a massacre,’ he said. ‘They [the Libyan people] are expecting more than this, because they know the Gaddafi forces are using civilians as a shield.’

“Nato officials told the BBC they were making inquiries ‘down our operations chain to find out if indeed there is any information on the operation side that would support this claim’. Later, Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said six civilians had been killed by the ‘immoral’ air strike, and described it as a ‘crime against humanity’.”

The BBC added that 25 people were injured in the attack, while RT Arabic said most of those harmed were children.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (3–4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (4) [ 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.

NATO forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (3–4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-056

Incident date

March 31, 2011

Location

دوار بين كرزاز و كوبري اقزير, Roundabout between Kerzaz and Askir Bridge , Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.336090, 15.097974 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On March 31st, 2011 between six and seven civilians were killed on the roundabout between the Karzaz neighborhood and Igzir bridge in Misrata by Gaddafi forces. Two civilians were children, seven year old Amma ‘Adel al-Asta and 18 month old Ru’a ‘Adel al-Asta. An Amnesty report and Facebook posts report on the deaths, with another tweet from Arab nations reporting another five deaths.

Amnesty reported on the death of two children, stating “seven-year-old Amna ‘Adel al-Asta and her 18-month-old sister Ru’a were fatally wounded on 31 March after their family fled their home in Kerzaz”.

Multiple sources from Facebook posts and tweets reported on the other casualties.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Amma Adel al-Asta
7 years old female killed
Ru'a 'Adel al-Asta
1 years old female killed
Ibrahim Salem Shaklawon
Age unknown male killed
Lotfi Muhammad Obaid
Age unknown female killed
Sulaiman Ahmed
Age unknown male killed
Salah Muhammad Abu Qurain
Age unknown male killed
Muhammad Al-Shuwain
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a roundabout between the neighbourhood of Kerzaz (كرزاز) and Askir Bridge (كوبري اقزير). Research shows multiple roundabouts between these two locations, therefore the coordinates given are of a generic point in between these locations at: 32.336090, 15.097974. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention a roundabout between the neighbourhood of Kerzaz (كرزاز) and Askir Bridge (كوبري اقزير). Research shows multiple roundabouts between these two locations.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-054

Incident date

March 30, 2011

Location

العرقوب, Al Argoub, Al Wahat, Libya

Geolocation

30.315587, 19.680170 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between seven and ten civilians were allegedly killed and 25 more injured by a NATO airstrike on Al Argoub.

The BBC said: “Seven civilians died and 25 were hurt in a coalition air strike on a pro-Gaddafi convoy in eastern Libya, a doctor there has told the BBC. Dr Suleiman Refardi said Wednesday’s raid happened in the village of Zawia el Argobe, 15km (9 miles) from Brega. The strike hit a truck carrying ammunition, and the resulting explosion destroyed two nearby homes. All the dead were between the ages of 12 and 20, Dr Refardi said. Nato says it is investigating the claim.”

The source added: “Dr Refardi told the BBC that the Libyan government convoy had included tanks, artillery and trucks carrying ammunition. A direct hit on an ammunition truck and trailer in a street in Zawia el Argobe sent a hail of shrapnel into nearby houses, he said. Four of the dead were female, including three children from the same family, aged between 12 and 16, the BBC’s Ben Brown reports from Brega. Three boys, aged between 14 and 20, were also killed.”

Various local condolence pages named ten victims and posted pictures of them. Alkhdra posted the name of one combatant killed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hajar Hamid Muhammad Saad Al-Madham Al-Maghribi
Child female killed
Amraji Musa Sa`id Al-Amma Al-Maghribi
Adult male killed
Abd al-Mawla Nasr Ali Muhammad Moamen Qadum al-Maghribi
Child male killed
Asma Muhammad Imran Younis Al-Huni Al-Maghribi
Child female killed
Hana Muhammad Imran Younis Al-Huni
Child female killed
Haniyeh Saeed Musa Saeed Al-Ami
Child female killed
Yunus Ali Muhammad Moamen
Adult male killed
Umm Shnaf Muhammad Imran Yunus
Adult female killed
Salama Abdullah Hasan Askar Bu Khamada
Adult female killed
Faraj Al-Mabrouk Ali Muhammad Moamen
Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (6 children2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Alleged victim of NATO airstrike on Al Argoub on March 30th, 2011 (via ANVWL)
  • Alleged victim of NATO airstrike on Al Argoub on March 30th, 2011 (via ANVWL)
  • Alleged victim of NATO airstrike on Al Argoub on March 30th, 2011 (via ANVWL)
  • Alleged victim of NATO airstrike on Al Argoub on March 30th, 2011 (via ANVWL)
  • Alleged victims of NATO airstrike on Al Argoub on March 30th, 2011 (via Glory to martyrs)
  • Alleged victim of NATO airstrike on Al Argoub on March 30th, 2011 (via Lailat Elfatah)
  • Abdul Hakim Muhammad Al-Zarrouk, likely a soldier killed by NATO airstrike on Al Argoub on March 30th, 2011 (via Alkhdra)
  • Interview with the injured

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Argoub (العرقوب), for which the generic coordinates are: 30.315587, 19.680170. 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
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (6 children2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-055

Incident date

March 30, 2011

Location

خوروم, Khorum, Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

32.169687, 13.019377 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A toddler, the 18-months old Sirajuddin al-Sweisi, was reportedly killed in a NATO airstrike on Brega.

The Boston News wrote: “Nizha Abdel-Salam and her family say her 18-month old son Sirajuddin al-Sweisi was killed when debris pierced the wall of their home as NATO airstrikes hit an ammunition [dump] near their village of Khorum early Tuesday morning.
‘The house shook and there was so much dust everywhere we couldn’t see in front of us,’ she said.

“The family’s account of the child’s death could not be independently confirmed. The Libyan government says more than 100 people have been killed by airstrikes since the international campaign began on March 19. It says the number includes civilians and military personnel, but it has not provided a breakdown.”

In addition, it was mentioned that “some neighbors said there were injuries, but the only death in the town was young al-Sweisi.”

Various sources on social media also reported the death of the infant.

The incident occured at approximately 6:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Sirajuddin al-Sweisi
1 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khorum (خوروم), allegedly located within the vicinity of Gheryan (غريان). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Gheryan are: 32.169687, 13.019377.

NATO forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]