23 deaths, 15 injuries across Libya in October 2017, UNSMIL documents

The report mentioned the latest air attack on Derna, saying that on 30 October, three women and 9 children (six boys and three girls) were killed, and another two women, one man, and four children (three girls and one boy) were injured when unidentified aircraft struck a farmhouse in the al-Fatayeh area, east of Derna

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) documented in October 38 civilian casualties – 23 deaths and 15 injuries – during the conduct of hostilities across Libya. Victims included 11 men killed and seven injured, three women killed and three injured, and nine children killed (six boys and three girls) and five injured (three girls and two boys).

The UNSMIL said the majority of civilian casualties were caused by airstrikes (12 deaths and seven injuries), and the rest by explosive remnants of war (ERW, six deaths and seven injuries) and gunfire (five deaths and one injury).

Meanwhile, the UNSMIL documented civilian casualties in Benghazi (seven deaths, seven injuries), Derna (seven deaths, seven injuries), Kufra (one injury), Misurata (two deaths), Sidi Al-Saeh (Tarhouna, one injury) and Tripoli (one death).

The report mentioned the latest air attack on Derna, saying that on 30 October, three women and 9 children (six boys and three girls) were killed, and another two women, one man, and four children (three girls and one boy) were injured when unidentified aircraft struck a farmhouse in the al-Fatayeh area, east of Derna, during a family gathering, reportedly celebrating the arrival of a newborn boy.

“The newborn, his mother and five siblings were among those killed. UNSMIL was unable to ascertain the civilian status of three other casualties in airstrikes carried out on the same night targeting another location south of Derna. According to reports, ambulances carrying injured civilians were denied passage at the Martouba and Kirsa checkpoints, where armed men allied to the LNA were stationed.” It added.

It also indicated that In terms of ERW, they killed five men and injured six men and one boy in Benghazi, demonstrating the threats posed by landmines and ERW on civilians accessing conflict-affected areas. On 4 October, a 10 year-old-boy was injured by an ERW inside his house in the area of Bousnib in Benghazi.

“On 16 October 2017, two men, including a Palestinian national, were killed and three others injured in an ERW explosion in Qasr Hamad street. In two separate incidents in the neighbourhood of al-Sabri, on 22 and 24 October, two men, including an Egyptian worker, were killed and three others injured, reportedly while cleaning residences for the first time after the end of hostilities in the area.” The UNSMIL added.

Talking about facilities, the UNSMIL mentioned the attack on the Misrata Court Complex on 4 October caused damage to the first and second floors of the building.

“During fighting in al-Ghrarat, a 700-year-old Sufi shrine was, reportedly, deliberately destroyed by members of the SDF. On 20 October, the SDF denied its involvement in the destruction of the shrine on its official Facebook page.” It explained.

The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express.
How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@libyanexpress.com. Please include ‘Op-Ed’ in the subject line.
You might also like

Submit a Correction

For: 23 deaths, 15 injuries across Libya in October 2017, UNSMIL documents

Your suggestion have been successfully submitted

There was an error while trying to send your request. Please try again.

Libyan Express will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.