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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

30 July 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-131

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Tarabulus, Libya
Three journalists were reportedly killed in a NATO airstrike on Tripoli. SBS News tweeted: "Three journalists have reportedly been killed in a NATO air strike while on state television in Libya." Uruknet wrote: "Libya says three journalists have been killed in a NATO air strike on state television, and that the murder of the rebels'…

Summary

Published
30 July 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 July 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-130

Location

زليتن, Zliten, Marqab, Libya
Between seven and eight civilians were reportedly killed in a NATO airstrike on Zliten. Antiwar wrote: "A NATO airstrike killed seven people in a hospital in Zlitan, western Libya, on Monday, according to locals and government officials. Medical equipment was visible among the twisted wreckage of the building, the Associated Press reports, after being taken…

Summary

Published
25 July 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-129

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya
On July 24th, 2011, six rockets were fired on Southern Misurata by Gaddafi forces, resulting in the deaths of two people, one Muhammad Muhammad al-Qunaidi and one unnamed woman. Injuries were also reported, but no numbers were provided. Bint Misurata posted on Facebook "6 rockets fell this morning on civilian neighborhoods in southern Misrata, killing…

Summary

Published
24 July 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

22 July 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-128

Location

مرسى البريقة, Brega, Al Wahat, Libya
Six guards at a concrete pipe factory were reportedly killed in a NATO airstrike on Brega. No further details about the guards were provided, although multiple sources mentioned that three missiles struck the facility. Reuters reported: "Six guards were killed in an air strike on Friday on a pipeline factory just south of the eastern…

Summary

Published
22 July 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

20 July 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

Published
20 June 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
13–19
Civilians reported injured
3–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-127

Location

مصراتة, Misrata, Misrata, Libya
On July 19th, 2011, Gaddafi forces fired five Grad missiles on Misurata, reported to have killed one and wounded 20 others. It was unclear whether the casualties were belligerents or civilians. A Facebook post from Malek Algasier stated "The outcome of today's clashes in Misurata, one martyr [Muhammad Sa`id Ihmida] and twenty wounded." Multiple sources…

Summary

Published
19 July 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
0–20
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident