Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

Lib2011-106

Incident date

June 7, 2011

Location

باب العزيزية‎ , Bab Al Aziziya, Tripoli, Libya

Airwars assessment

At least 29 civilians were killed by NATO airstrikes on Tripoli, according to the Gaddafi regime.

Al Jazeera noted at the time: “Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said that at least 29 people were killed in 60 air strikes targeting the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Tuesday evening, while Libyan Colonel Muammar Gaddafi pledged in an audio speech today to fight to the death.”

The BBC also quoted the spokesperson. Other sources only mentioned heavy bombardment.

The Sirte Martyrs condolence page later named one victim.

NATO itself declared the following airstrikes on June 7th: “In Tripoli: 5 Command & Control Facilities, 1 Vehicle Storage Facility, 2 Self-Propelled Antiaircraft Guns, 1 Air Surveillance Radar. In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Command & Control Facility.” And Air Cdre Ian Wood said the British RAF had taken part in the strikes on Tripoli on that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Misbah Hassan Nasr Al-Qahsi Gaddafi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 29
  • (1 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.
  • Known attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Video showing the alleged victims
  • Video showing the damage of the attack

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes on the Bab Al Aziziya compound (باب العزيزية‎) in the city of Tripoli (طرابلس‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.871944, 13.172222. Structural damage can be seen from the satellite imagery, however we are unable to confirm if all damage occurred from the same event.

  • Reports of the incident mention a series of strikes hitting the Bab Al Aziziya compound (باب العزيزية‎) in the city of Tripoli (طرابلس‎). Structural damage can be seen from the satellite imagery, however we are unable to confirm if all damage occurred from the same event. Left is an image from 7th Mar 2011, and right from 26th Jul 2011.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Gaddafi Forces
Official source

07 JUNE: In Tripoli: 5 Command & Control Facilities, 1 Vehicle Storage Facility, 2 Self-Propelled Antiaircraft Guns, 1 Air Surveillance Radar. In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Command & Control Facility.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 29
  • (1 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.
  • Known attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-104

Incident date

June 5, 2011

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.886602, 13.190912 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was possibly injured in a NATO airstrike on Tripoli.

A video report uploaded by Adam Nafusa says that the government had claimed the child was injured by an airstrike, while a hospital worker insisted they had been injured in a car accident.

Reuters also said it had learned from a hospital staff member that the child was injured in an accident.

NATO itself and other sources only reported airstrikes on Tripoli but no civilian harm.

Throughout the whole 2011 NATO intervention some independent monitors assessed that the Gaddafi regime had routinely fabricated civilian harm allegations.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video showing the supposed victim

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Tripoli (طرابلس‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.886602, 13.190912. 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
Official source

In Tripoli: 1 Command & Control Facility. In the vicinity of Tripoli: 2 Command & Control Facilities, 1 Surface-To-Air Missile Storage Facility, 1 Ground Forces Compound, 1 Air Defence Forces Compound, 4 Surface-To-Air Missile Launchers, 1 Radar.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-101

Incident date

May 31, 2011

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.886602, 13.190912 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 31st 2011, sources told Al Jazeera of casualties in Tripoli due to NATO bombing in the area. No numbers were provided, and it was unclear if these casualties were civilians or belligerents.

The source said: “NATO renewed its bombing of several locations, including the Libyan capital, Tripoli, at dawn today, which, according to official sources, left material and human losses.”

17th February Revolution Libya mentioned bombardment of a tobacco factory “which is believed to be used as a gathering place for mercenaries and battalions.”

NATO reports airstrikes “in the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Vehicle Storage Facility, 3 Surface-To-Air Missile Launchers”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a tobacco factory being struck in the city of Tripoli (طرابلس‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Tripoli are: 32.886602, 13.190912.

NATO forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

NATO forces

31 May: In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Vehicle Storage Facility, 3 Surface-To-Air Missile Launchers.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-100

Incident date

May 30, 2011

Location

زليتن, Zliten, Libya

Geolocation

32.466659, 14.566591 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 30th, 2011, multiple sources reported NATO airstrikes on Zliten, which were said to have killed 11 people – although their status was unclear.

RT said: “Libyan television announced on Monday, May 30th, that NATO launched air strikes on the town of Zliten on the coastal road linking Tripoli and Misrata, killing 11 people.”

The state-run Libyan News Agency reported “many injured”, but no number was provided and this was not confirmed by any other source.

The airstrikes were reported by France 24 to have been on the Wadi Kaam region of Zliten. It noterd that “The official Libyan News Agency reported that ‘civilian and military sites’ in the Wadi Kaam area in Zliten were subjected to raids on Monday by ‘the colonial Crusader aggression,’ pointing to ‘the fall of 11 martyrs’ and wounding many others.”

NATO itself did not report strikes near Zliten on that day, and some independent monitors after the war said that some claims by Gaddafi regime-affiliated media had been found to be exaggerated or fabricated

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 11
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–12
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Zliten (زليتن), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.466659, 14.566591. 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
    1 – 11
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–12
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-097

Incident date

May 24, 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

Between three and 19 civilians were reported killed and as many as 150 wounded following a NATO airstrike on Tripoli.

Syria Libya wrote: “Tripoli is now exposed to bombardment and confirmed news of the wounded and the killing of civilians and Qatar pays the bill.”

RT showed images of the victims and said: “Tripoli reports three people were killed and dozens injured during twenty minutes of strikes.”

Nahar Net quoted the spokesperson of the Gaddafi regime: “At least three people were killed and 150 wounded in NATO raids on Tripoli overnight, Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said.”

The Washington Post published a similar statement: “Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said NATO had targeted the headquarters of the military reserves, killing at least three and injuring dozens. He said that the casualties would have been higher except that the government had long ago emptied the headquarters, expecting that it would be hit.”

Reuters later published a report saying that the civilian death toll had risen to 19.

Libya History posted a video of the incident saying that one of the strikes targeted a mosque. It shows a hospital worker saying they have received more than 30 cases, three of them killed and that they remained unidentified. One of the injured said the strikes targeted Tariq Al Sour and the buildings surrounding it.

NATO reported hitting “1 Armoured Vehicle Storage Facility” and “1 Missile Storage and Maintenance Facility, 1 Command & Control Node.” in and near Tripoli.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 19
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–150
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

  • Video piece allegedly showing the strikes and victims

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    BBC Arabic video report

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim allegedly killed by NATO airstrikes on Tripoli on May 24th, 2011 (via Libya First)

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
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

NATO forces
Official source

In Tripoli: 1 Armoured Vehicle Storage Facility. In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Missile Storage and Maintenance Facility, 1 Command & Control Node.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 19
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–150
  • 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

Lib2011-096

Incident date

May 16, 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

On May 16th, 2011, NATO forced bombed Tripoli, including a hotel near the Bab al-Azizyah neighbourhood. Multiple sources reported the airstrikes, although it was unclear if there were civilian casualties.

Al Jazeera for example noted: “On Monday evening, NATO forces bombed civilian and military targets in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, and the nearby Qasr Bin Ghashir region, according to Libyan state television, while the rebels announced that they were planning to head towards the west of the country. Libyan State TV quoted a military source with news of the bombing, and saying that the strikes caused ‘material and human damage.'”

Abo Mohammad posted: “The Libyan regime TV reported that the city of Tripoli and the Qasr bin Ghashir area were bombed this evening, and reports from Al-Manara reported that three powerful explosions shook Bab Al-Aziziyah.”

NATO reported airstrikes “in Tripoli: 1 Command & Control Node, 1 Military Training Facility. In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Surface-To-Air Fire Control Radar, 2 Land Based Air Surveillance Radars”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (3) [ collapse]

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
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

NATO forces
Official source

In Tripoli: 1 Command & Control Node, 1 Military Training Facility. In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1
Surface-To-Air Fire Control Radar, 2 Land Based Air Surveillance Radars

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-094

Incident date

May 15, 2011

Location

قصر أبو هادي, Qasr Abu Hadi, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.059497, 16.658901 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was reportedly killed by a NATO airstrike on Qasr Abu Hadi.

The condolence page Sirte Martyrs published a picture of her mother commemorating her death four years later saying: “This is what NATO did with our children. Today marks the fourth anniversary of the martyrdom of the child Rayla Faraj Al-Bast Al-Gaddafi on 15 May 2011, who was described as a ‘martyr of terror’. She was martyred as a result of terror and fear resulting from the bombing of the NATO alliance.”

Other pages published similar posts.

NATO itself reported striking the following targets in the vicinity of Sirte on that day: “2 Surface to Surface Missile Launchers , 1 Self Propelled Artillery Piece, 1 Armoured Personnel Carrier.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rayla Faraj Al-Bast Al-Gaddafi
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Rayla Faraj Al-Bast Al-Gaddafi, allegedly killed by a NATO airstrike in Qasr Abu Hadi on May 15th, 2020 (via Sirte martyrs)
  • Funeral of Rayla Faraj Al-Bast Al-Gaddafi, allegedly killed by a NATO airstrike in Qasr Abu Hadi on May 15th, 2020 (via Sirte martyrs)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Qasr Abu Hadi (قصر أبو هادي),  for which the generic coordinates are: 31.059497, 16.658901. 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
Official source

In the vicinity of Sirte: 2 Surface to Surface Missile Launchers , 1 Self Propelled Artillery Piece, 1 Armoured Personnel Carrier.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-092

Incident date

May 13, 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 11 and 16 civilians were reported killed in a NATO airstrike on Brega.

Both the BBC and the Washington Post said that eleven clerics were killed in the attack, while Reuters noted that “Nine imams were among 11 people killed in a strike on a guest house in the eastern city of Brega on Friday, the government said. The other two were buried elsewhere.”

Libyan State TV was reported to have declared that 16 civilians were killed in the attack. And the Express Tribune added that 50 people were allegedly wounded.

Al Jazeera wrote: “On Friday, a Libyan military source said that 16 people were killed and 30 wounded in the NATO raid on a guesthouse in Buraiqa, when at the time of the raid dozens of clerics came to attend a celebration. On Friday, Libyan state television showed scenes of nine bodies with several injuries.”

Reuters and The Express Tribune additionally quoted NATO officials commenting on the allegation: “Command and control bunker was struck in Brega early this (Friday) morning, as the structure was being used by the Qaddafi regime to coordinate strikes against the Libyan civilian population.

We are aware of allegations of civilian casualties in connection to this strike and although we cannot independently confirm the validity of the claim we regret any loss of life by innocent civilians when they occur.”

The Eg-11 Blog posted the following: “A spokesman for the Libyan revolutionaries, Ahmed Bani, denied, on Friday, that any civilian had been killed due to the bombing by NATO fighter jets in the city of Brega.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 16
  • (9–11 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (15) [ 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:

  • 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, 2012

  • The Marsa El Brega Residence and Command Bunker Facility served as the primary C2 facility for forces fielded by the 32d Brigade in and around Brega. It was deliberately targeted and struck on 13 May. During engagement of the target, it was positively identified and four precision-guided munitions were dropped. The strike was highly effective, and decisively degraded command and control in the Brega area. Battle damage assessment indicated no collateral damage. After this strike, an engineer who had been involved in the design and construction of the command bunker facility publicly confirmed that it had been constructed for Col. Gaddafi and had been purpose built for command and control functions.

Original strike reports

NATO forces
Official source

In the vicinity of Brega: 2 Tanks.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 16
  • (9–11 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (15) [ collapse]