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

26 August 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-152

Location

مشفى أبو سليم, Abu Salim Hospital, Tarabulus, Libya
Between 39 and 200 civilians died in Abu Salim hospital in Tripoli on August 26, 2011 according to multiple news sources, including Al Jazeera and BBC News. A video by Al Jazeera shows Abu Salim hospital in Tripoli full over more than 100 dead bodies in the intensive care unit after the majority of the…

Summary

Published
26 August 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
39–200
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 August 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-151

Location

باب العزيزية, Bab Al Aziziyah, Tarabulus, Libya
At least 29 people were killed at a camp site outside the Bab Al Aziziyah compound in Tripoli on August 25, 2011 that may have housed a makeshift medical clinic and was alleged to be supervised by Gaddafi supporters. According to BBC News, two of those killed had strips of green cloth, indicating that they…

Summary

Published
25 August 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
29
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 August 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-150

Location

باب عكاره, Bab Akkara, Tarabulus, Libya
Between 15 and 19 men, including three medical personnel, were killed and at least six others were injured between Gargur and the Gaddafi compound at Bab al-Aziziyah in Tripoli on August 23, 2011. A member of the rebel forces witnessed 15 bodies, all in civilian clothes and all of them handcuffed behind the back with electric…

Summary

Published
23 August 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
15–19
Civilians reported injured
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 August 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-149

Location

خلة الفرجان, Warehouse in Khallet Al Furjan, Tarabulus, Libya
Between 63 and 170 prisoners were killed in the early evening in Yarmouk prison under the control of Gaddafi forces in a warehouse in Khallet al Furjan on August 23, 2011. According to the UN Report Source, in the early evening, prison guards at the facility threw between 6 and 8 grenades into the warehouse…

Summary

Published
23 August 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
64–170
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 August 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-148

Location

باب العزيزية, Bab Al Aziziya, Tarabulus, Libya

Summary

Published
23 August 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
15
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 August 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-147

Location

غرغور, Gharghour, Tarabulus, Libya
At least 21 people, including at least three men, were killed and two men were injured in a detention facility run by the Revolutionary Guard in Gargur, south of Bab Al-Aziziyah, on August 23, 2011 according to UN Report Source Page 72. According to witnesses and family members, most of those being held in the…

Summary

Published
23 August 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
21
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident