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

22 June 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-112

Location

سبها‎, Sabha, Sabha, Libya
Four civilians, all of them paramedics, were allegedly killed in an apparent NATO double tap airstrike in Sabha. Nass Book said: "A military source reported that NATO bombed civilian sites in Sabha. When the civil protection crews of the civil defense and ambulance apparatus rushed to carry out rescue operations the crusader alliance bombed these…

Summary

Published
19 June 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

20 June 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-113

Location

الرويسات, Roiussat, Misrata, Libya
A child was allegedly killed and his mother severely injured by Gaddafi forces artillery shelling on the Roiussat area of Misurata. Al Somood reported: "The missile that fell yesterday evening in the Roiussat area was at the house of the Abu Shaiba family. A child was killed and his mother was seriously injured and she…

Summary

Published
20 June 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 June 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-111

Location

بيت علي مخر الغراري, House of Ali Mukhar Al Gharari, Tarabulus, Libya
Between five and nine civilians were reported killed in a NATO airstrike on Tripoli. NATO later acknowledged likely causing civilian harm in the event. Amnesty gave a detailed account of the incident in its Libya investigation: "On 19 June 2011 at about 1.30 am the home of Mukhtar al-Gharari, located in a densely built-up area…

Summary

Published
19 June 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
18
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

18 June 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-110

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya
One woman was reported killed by Gaddafi forces artillery shelling on Misurata. Alia Libya said: "Twelve rockets fell on Saturday morning, June 18, in the eastern neighborhoods of the city of Misurata, and no civilian casualties were reported." Shorouk News, however, noted: "A missile attack on the same area yesterday killed a woman in her…

Summary

Published
18 June 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

17 June 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-109

Location

الهبارة, Al Habara , Misrata, Libya
On June 17th 2011, pro-Gaddafi forces shelled the city of Misurata, killing ten including eight named victims and wounding 40, according to Reuters. The status of some of those harmed was unclear. The news agency said: "In Misurata, opposition spokesman Ahmed Hassan said 10 civilians were killed and 40 others wounded when pro-Gaddafi forces bombed…

Summary

Published
17 June 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
8–10
Civilians reported injured
40
Military actors reported killed
2–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

12 June 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-108

Location

الزنتان, Al Zintan, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Libya
Nine civilians were allegedly killed by Gaddafi forces artillery shelling of Zintan. Al Jazeera noted at the time: "On his part, a spokesman for the rebels said on Monday that nine people were killed and more than forty others were wounded on Sunday when forces loyal to Gaddafi bombed the town of Zintan, held by…

Summary

Published
12 June 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
40
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident