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

7 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-159

Location

ابالحنيوة, Al Haniyah, Surt, Libya
One child was reported killed by a NATO or Rebel forces airstrike on the Al Haniyeh neighbourhood of Sirte. Nour Al Din Nasser Al Zanki said that "he suffered full body and face burns, cut wounds to the right leg, and amputation of a toe on the right foot. He died several days later." Sirte…

Summary

Published
7 September 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-158

Location

التسعين, Al Tes'een, Surt, Libya
On September 7th, 2011 NATO forces bombed the Al Tes'seen near Sirte, killing a 60 year old woman and injuring two children, a four year old girl and nine year old boy. Another unnamed woman was shown on video in the hospital, but it was unclear if she had died as a result of the…

Summary

Published
7 September 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

6 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-157

Location

Libya, Libya
A single source reported one potential civilian death from a Rebel forces or NATO action in Libya. Nour Al Din Nasser Al Zanki said that "Sada Moftah Attaf, 26 years old, was killed" on September 6th. There is currently no further information available.

Summary

Published
6 September 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces, Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-156

Location

وادي الأحمر, Wadi Al Ahmar, Surt, Libya
At least 45 people, including men and women, were found dead in September in a mass grave in the Red Valley near Sirte after being tortured and killed by Gaddafi's forces. One person survived and was left with the dead in the grave.

Summary

Published
2 September 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
45
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

29 August 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-154

Location

بني وليد, Bani Walid, Misrata, Libya
Up to 19 civilians were allegedly killed by a NATO airstrike on Bani Walid. Riyad Jaber said: "The martyr Salah Saad Barnous was martyred on the 29th of Ramadan by the NATO bombing." Mustafa Al Fitouri wrote in his book: "On the night of 29th-30th August Salah Sa’ed Barnous 23 years old, an university student…

Summary

Published
29 August 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
19
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

28 August 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-153

Location

ابوكماش, Abu Kammash, An Nuqat al Khams, Libya
At least one man was killed by Zowara rebels after he was apprehended on August 28, 2011 in Abu Kammash according to the UN Report Source Page 80. An unarmed man was apprehended from Riqdalin and was then forced to face a wall and was then shot.

Summary

Published
28 August 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