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 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

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

Incident Date

8 July 2011–12 May 2019

Incident Code

Lib2011-126

Location

غريان, Gheryan, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Libya
Two civilians were killed in a NATO airstrike on Gheryan, accoring to NPR. The outlet wrote: "About a block away from the gunfire at the demonstration, it was possible to talk with a shopkeeper without having a government minder present. He gave his name as Ismael and said he and his family have heard bombing…

Summary

Published
12 July 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

10 July 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-125

Location

مصراتة, Misrata, Misrata, Libya
On July 10th, 2011, Gaddafi forces fired eight Grad rockets at Misurata, resulting in the death of seven people. It was unclear how many civilian and belligerent deaths were included. @misratapost tweeted "Today, Sunday 10-07-2011, the number of martyrs in Misurata has reached 7".

Summary

Published
10 July 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–7
Military actors reported killed
0–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 July 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-124

Location

مستشفى الاطفال, Children's Hospital, Misrata, Libya
On July 9th, 2011, shelling from Gaddafi forces killed two civilians and injured 12 in Misurata, including killing one female infant in the Children's Hospital. @Bozakook tweeted that "indiscriminate shelling hit 12 civilians in Misrata, and 2 were killed" (translated from Arabic), and was the only source reporting injuries and two civilian deaths. Voodito tweeted:…

Summary

Published
9 July 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

6 July 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-123

Location

الدفنية, Al Dafiniyah, Misrata, Libya
On July 6th, 2011, Gaddafi forces shelled the Al-Dafniya area, west of Misurata, killing three civilians and between 14 and 16 rebel fighters. An additional 42 to 50 rebel fighters were reported injured. No additional information on civilians were reported. The head of the media committee in Misurata, quoted in CNN, stated that three civilians…

Summary

Published
6 July 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Military actors reported killed
14–16
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident