Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident date

May 13, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-092

LOCATION

مرسى البريقة, Brega, Al Wahat, Libya

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,

Summary

First published
May 13, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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 belligerent
NATO forces
Known targets
Gaddafi forces, Other
View Incident

Incident date

March 23, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-047

LOCATION

كلية الهندسة العسكرية, College of Military Engineering, Tarabulus, Libya

Several civilians were reportedly killed in a NATO airstrike on Tajoura, east of Tripoli. BBC Arabic said at the time: “Libyan officials early on Thursday took a group of journalists to a hospital in Tripoli to see what they said were 18 charred corpses of soldiers and civilians killed in coalition raids overnight. Western planes bombed

Summary

First published
March 23, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 16
(2 children)
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 belligerent
NATO forces
Suspected target
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident date

October 30, 2017

Incident Code

LC074

LOCATION

الفتايح, Al Fatayeh, Darnah, Libya

In the first significant civilian casualty report in several months, various sources said that between 12 and 18 civilians were killed in an airstrike in Al-Fatayih – among them up to eight children and five women. In addition, 25 to 30 people were reported injured in the strike. Most sources claim Egypt was responsible for

Summary

First published
October 30, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 18
Civilians reported injured
15–30
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Egyptian Military, United Arab Emirates Military, Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident date

May 24, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-097

LOCATION

باب العزيزية, Bab Al Azizia, Tarabulus, Libya

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

Summary

First published
May 23, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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 belligerent
NATO forces
Known target
Gaddafi forces
View Incident

Incident date

July 20, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-114

LOCATION

صرمان, Surman, Al Zawiyah, Libya

Between 13 and 19 civilians were reportedly killed in a NATO airstrike on Surman. The New York Times published a detailed report of the event: “The Qaddafi government used the strike for propaganda purposes. It claimed as many as 19 civilians were killed and put up portraits of the victims across Tripoli. Khaled offered a

Summary

First published
June 20, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 19
(5 children4 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
3–6
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 belligerent
NATO forces
Known target
NATO forces
Named victims
13 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-028

LOCATION

الرجمة, Al Rajma, Benghazi, Libya

According to the Daily Telegraph, 19 civilians were killed after explosions in a munitions depot in Ar Rajma near Benghazi. It is unclear whether the incident was caused by an airstrike by the Gaddafi regime. The Telegraph wrote at the time: “The cause of the explosions was not immediately clear, although most local residents ruled

Summary

First published
March 4, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19
(2 women)
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 belligerent
Gaddafi Forces
Suspected targets
Libyan rebel forces, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

March 20, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-044

LOCATION

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya

A “large number” of civilians was reported killed in NATO airstrikes on Sirte, according to the Gaddafi regime. Mohamed Abd El Rahman reported on Facebook that “the Libyan regime said that the coalition launched raids on Tripoli and Zuwara and Misurata (west) and Sirte since Saturday and targeted Sirte on Monday, especially the airports, which

Summary

First published
March 21, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 20
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
NATO forces
Suspected target
Gaddafi forces
View Incident

Incident date

February 1, 2017

Incident Code

LC059

LOCATION

بنغازي‎, Benghazi: Ganfouda 12 building complex, Benghazi, Libya

Two sources reported an LNA airstrike in Benghazi’s Ganfouda neighbourhood. A Twitter source said it hit the 12 Building complex. The Libya Herald reported that soldiers discovered a mass grave in the heavily sieged area: “Soldiers have also today uncovered a mass grave in Ganfouda which contains an unknown number of bodies. Forensic experts are

Summary

First published
February 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 20
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident date

August 28, 2016

Incident Code

LC040

LOCATION

قنفودة, Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya

Up to 21 civilians were reportedly killed in airstrikes on Benghazi. Three local families were reportedly killed as well as 11 Sudanese workers. While the majority of sources named the LNA as the belligerent, Libya Mostakbal claimed that is was conducted by a ‘Predator’ drone which isn’t part of the LNA air force. However, UAE

Summary

First published
August 28, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
21
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident date

April 14, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-069

LOCATION

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya

At least 16 civilians were reportedly killed in indiscriminate shelling by Gaddafi regime forces on Misurata. Human Rights Watch reported: “Libyan government forces have launched indiscriminate rocket and mortar attacks on residential neighborhoods in the rebel-held city of Misrata, Human Rights Watch said today. One strike, apparently by a Grad rocket, killed at least eight

Summary

First published
April 14, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16 – 23
(4–6 children4–6 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
4
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 targets
Libyan rebel forces, Other, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

June 22, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-115

LOCATION

زليتن, Zliten, Marqab, Libya

Several civilians were killed by a NATO airstrike near Zliten, according to the Gaddafi regime television. France 24 said that “Libyan television announced the killing of dozens.” Al Jazeera wrote: “Libyan television said on Wednesday dozens of people were killed in Zliten in a bombardment by NATO warplanes. However, it was not possible to verify

Summary

First published
June 22, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 24
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
NATO forces
Suspected target
Gaddafi forces
View Incident

Incident date

August 12, 2016

Incident Code

LC039

LOCATION

قنفودة, Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya

Various sources reported that between 20 and 31 civilians were killed and around 30 more injured as a result of airstrikes in Ganfouda. Two targets appear to have been struck – a residential home and a prison. While some sources claimed the attack was conducted by an unknown foreign drone, others blame the LNA or

Summary

First published
August 12, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 31
(3 women1–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
30
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Libyan National Army, French Military
Named victims
27 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 30, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-053

LOCATION

تاجوراء , Tajoura, Tarabulus, Libya

Up to 40 civilians were killed in Tajoura by a NATO airstrike, according to a senior Vatican official based in Tripoli at the time. Reuters reported on the incident: “At least 40 civilians have been killed in air strikes by Western forces on Tripoli, the top Vatican official in the Libyan capital said Thursday, citing

Summary

First published
March 30, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
40
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
NATO forces
Suspected target
Gaddafi forces
View Incident

Incident date

August 4, 2019

Incident Code

LC177

LOCATION

القلعة, Al Qala, Murzuq, Libya

At least 42 civilians were reportedly killed in an LNA or Emirati airstrike on Murzuq in one of the biggest civilian harm events in Libya since 2011. Al Jazeera said: “At least 42 people have been killed and dozens wounded in an air raid in southern Libya, an official said, as the United-Nations recognised government

Summary

First published
August 4, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
42 – 45
Civilians reported injured
51–60
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2016

Incident Code

LC052

LOCATION

الجيزة, Giza, Surt, Libya

Campaign overview: The United States began a major air campaign in support of and at the request of GNA ground forces, to oust ISIS from the city of Sirte. Complete official records of the US campaign at Sirte – which saw 497 airstrikes on the city to December 5th 2016 – can be found here.

Summary

First published
December 5, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
30 – 50
Civilians reported injured
63
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, US Forces
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2019

Incident Code

Lib2011-038

LOCATION

قاعدة طرابلس وبنغازي ومصراتة وسرت والوطية الجوية, Tripoli, Benghazi, Misurata, Sirte and Al Watyah airbase, Surt, Libya

Between 48 and 64 civilians were killed during the first day of NATO airstrikes in Libya, according to Gaddafi regime media. However, these numbers are heavily contested by non-partisan sources. Doualia wrote at the time: “Air strikes on several Libyan cities killed 48 people and wounded 150 in ‘civilian areas,’ a statement on Libyan state

Summary

First published
March 19, 2011
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
48 – 64
Civilians reported injured
150
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 belligerent
NATO forces
Suspected target
Gaddafi forces
View Incident

Incident date

July 3, 2019

Incident Code

LC158

LOCATION

تاجوراء, Tajoura: Detention Center, Tarabulus, Libya

Between 37 and 80 civilians have reportedly been killed in an airstrike on a migrant detention centre in Tajoura. The incident appears to be the worst single civilian harm event in recent Libyan history. While most local sources blame the LNA, General Haftar’s army has rejected responsibility and accused the GNA of conducting the strike.

Summary

First published
July 3, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
37 – 80
(6 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
40–131
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 belligerents
Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military
Named victims
25 named
View Incident