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 June 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-116

Location

الدفنية, Dafiniyah, Misrata, Libya
Up to four civilians were reported killed by Gaddafi regime forces artillery shelling on Misurata. Al Jazeera reported: "On the Misurata front, Reuters reported that three people were killed and 12 wounded in an artillery bombardment by Gaddafi forces on the Dafiniyah area. More rockets fell on Wednesday in a suburb close to the port,…

Summary

Published
22 June 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
4–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

22 June 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-115

Location

زليتن, Zliten, Marqab, Libya
Several civilians were killed by a NATO airstrike near Zliten, according to the Gaddafi regime television. France 24 said that "Libyan television announced the killing of dozens." Al Jazeera wrote: "Libyan television said on Wednesday dozens of people were killed in Zliten in a bombardment by NATO warplanes. However, it was not possible to verify…

Summary

Published
22 June 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
12–24
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

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

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

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