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

22 August 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-146

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Tarabulus, Libya
Between seven and 16 people, including three belligerents, were killed on Abu Salim Highway in Tripoli by Gaddafi snipers on August 22, 2011. A young man from the Abu Salim area told Libyans that 30 Gaddafi supporters were stationed on the bridge and another group were stationed under the bridge off the highway and they…

Summary

Published
22 August 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
4–13
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21 August 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-145

Location

باب العزيزية, Bab Al Aziziya Prison, Tarabulus, Libya
At least 25 prisoners were killed in Bab Al-Aziziyah prison on August 21, 2011 by Gaddafi forces according to Facebook posts from Al Mashashiya Youth and Shahd Omar. According to Al Mashashiya youth's post, Ezz Al-Din Muhammad Hassan Al-Mashay, who was killed, and his father were arrested and detained for more than 20 days the…

Summary

Published
21 August 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
25
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21 August 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-144

Location

غرغور, Gharghour, Tarabulus, Libya
At least 17 people were killed in the Gargur district in Tripoli by pro-Gaddafi forces according to BBC News. Human Rights Watch says that pro-Gaddafi forces were holding the dead in a building belonging to the Libyan Internal Security Forces and that they were physically tortured before they were killed. According to a doctor, half…

Summary

Published
21 August 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
17
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21 August 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-143

Location

كوبرى الهضبة الشرقية, Eastern Hill Bridge, Tarabulus, Libya
Between 60 and 72 people were killed near the Eastern Hill Bridge on a highway in Tripoli by Gaddafi forces on August 21, 2011 according to multiple posts and videos, including Gharyan Radio and Libyan People Youtube. A video posted by Wasat Al Bilad shows multiple men with guns blocking a road and interacting with…

Summary

Published
21 August 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
60–72
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

20 August 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-142

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Tarabulus, Libya
At least 15 people were killed in Tripoli on August 20, 2011 according to an Islamtoday post on Facebook. It is unknown whether those killed were civilians or fighters and it is unknown who killed them. The bodies were buried around the time that the Libyan revolutionaries attacked Libya.

Summary

Published
20 August 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
0–15
Military actors reported killed
0–15
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Unknown
View Incident

Incident Date

29 August 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-155

Location

إقامة عائلة جفارة, Residence of Jfara family, Misrata, Libya
Between five and six civilians were allegedly killed by a NATO airstrike on Bani Walid. A Human Rights Watch investigation found: "During the night of August 29 or the early morning of August 30, 2011, NATO aircraft struck two adjacent homes belonging to Fathi Abdulsalam Jfara and his son Farid Fathi Jfara in the town…

Summary

Published
15 August 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident