All Belligerents in Libya, 2011

Following the start of the Arab Spring in 2011, Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s regime was toppled in a NATO-backed uprising, leading to significant upheaval and fighting between pro-Gaddaffi forces and rebel groups.

Airwars documented hundreds of allegations of civilian harm by all military actors in Libya in the 2011 war, and has conducted a number of major investigations into the subject.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

1,166 – 2,519

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely all military actors in Libya actions in Libya for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the all military actors in Libya. These originate from 213 separate alleged incidents.

95 – 128
children likely killed
51 – 79
women likely killed
1,050
likely injured
442
named victims

all military actors in Libya estimate of civilian deaths

0

Confirmed civilian deaths, from all military actors in Libya actions in Libya, originating from separate incidents of civilian harm.

0
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
1,826 – 3,332
Locally reported civilian deaths from all military actors in Libya actions in Libya.
213 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
1,166 – 2,519
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by all military actors in Libya
117 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
594 – 699
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
86 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
66 – 114
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
10 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
0 seperate alleged incidents
216 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

16 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-166

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya
Several civilians were allegedly killed by Rebel forces shelling on Sirte. A UN report stated: "Thuwar forces used Grad rockets, artillery shells and RPGs, as well as small and medium calibre weapons in their assault on Sirte. They launched barrages of Grad rockets hitting residential areas like Area 1, Hay al-Dollar, and Montaza. Residents told…

Summary

Published
16 September 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident Date

15 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-162

Location

الحي رقم 2, Neighbourhood No 2, Surt, Libya
Between 30 and 64 civilians were allegedly killed in a NATO airstrike on neighbourhood No 2 in Sirte. Mustafa Al Fitouri wrote in his book, naming 46 civilians: "The seventh air strike took place in Sirte on 15th September at 7pm where the warplanes targeted a gathering of civilian vehicles inside and near it a…

Summary

Published
15 September 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
30–64
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
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Incident Date

15 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-163

Location

الزعفران, Al Za’fran, Surt, Libya
On the September 15th 2011, the NATO bombed a house in Al Zafaran neighbourhood in Sirte which resulted in the death of a family consisting of four people. This information was according to a post by Nour Al Din Nasser Al Zanki on Facebook who named the victims. NATO on that reported striking "In the…

Summary

Published
15 September 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

13 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-161

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Tarabulus, Libya
At least one man was killed in Tripoli by rebels on September 13, 2011 according to the UN Report Source Page 83.

Summary

Published
13 September 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident Date

28 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-185

Location

سرت, Sirte, Surt, Libya
One source shows several people who are injured due to the NATO strike inside a hospital in Sirte and the doctors trying to revive them. The video posted by Surt Son is captured "The death of dozens of civilians in Sirte a result of NATO bombing and the rebels to revive the city." NATO itself…

Summary

Published
11 September 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-160

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya
Dozens of people (between 24 to 36) people were killed in Benghazi on September 10, 2011 when they were demonstrating their support of Bani Walid according to a Facebook posts from Ahmed Azzawi Mahmoud and Fedayeen Muammar Gaddafi in southern Tunisia

Summary

Published
10 September 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
24–36
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident