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

9 June 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-107

Location

مصراتة, Misurata port, Misrata, Libya
Two civilians, including a child, were allegedly killed by Gaddafi forces shelling of Misurata. Shahab Al Nahda said: "Mortar shelling from the western side of the port resulted in the death of 2 civilians, including a child." There is currently no further known public information regarding this event.

Summary

Published
9 June 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

7 June 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-106

Location

باب العزيزية‎, Bab Al Aziziya, Tarabulus, Libya
At least 29 civilians were killed by NATO airstrikes on Tripoli, according to the Gaddafi regime. Al Jazeera noted at the time: "Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said that at least 29 people were killed in 60 air strikes targeting the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Tuesday evening, while Libyan Colonel Muammar Gaddafi pledged in an…

Summary

Published
7 June 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–29
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

6 June 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-105

Location

الخمس‎, Khoms, Tarabulus, Libya
On June 6th, 2011, 18 detainees were reported dead as a result of suffocation in poorly ventilated containers as they were being held by Gaddafi forces. A UN report from 2011 reported the casualties, stating "On 6 June 2011, 18 detainees died in Al Khums from suffocation due to being held by Qadhafi forces in…

Summary

Published
6 June 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
18
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5 June 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-104

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Tarabulus, Libya
One child was possibly injured in a NATO airstrike on Tripoli. A video report uploaded by Adam Nafusa says that the government had claimed the child was injured by an airstrike, while a hospital worker insisted they had been injured in a car accident. Reuters also said it had learned from a hospital staff member…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 June 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-103

Location

نالوت‎, Nalut, Nalut, Libya
Between 10 and 14 civilians were reportedly injured by Gaddafi forces artillery shelling on Nalut. Libya Women tweeted: "The Gaddafi Brigades carried out rocket and mortar bombardments on the town of Nalut and the number of wounded was 10." Later it published another post saying the number of wounded had risen to 14. Other sources posted…

Summary

Published
4 June 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
10–14
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 June 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-102

Location

العزيزية‎, Aziziya, Al Jafarah, Libya
Two police officers were reportedly killed in a NATO airstrike on Aziziya. Nima Elbagir said on Twitter: "Libya gov tell CNN latest Nato strike hit police station in Aziziya - west of Tripoli - killing 2 police officers. No comment yet from Nato" Free Libya Page only reported airstrikes around Tripoli but no civilian harm.…

Summary

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