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

1 November 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-212

Location

مزرعة الأبحاث, Research Farm, Surt, Libya
One child was allegedly killed and his uncle injured by a NATO airstrike on a research farm near Sirte. Nour Al Din Nasser Al Zanki said: "Abd al-Hadi Hamad Abd al-Rahman Qazwari, the son of an 8-year-old, was struck by a warplane on the research farm and his uncle lost his legs." NATO did not…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 October 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-210

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya
According to a single source, 48 people were killed and 50 injured by an airstrike on Sirte. It is unclear who conducted the attack and if the victims were civilians. Magical_Libya tweeted: "Urgent Libya Al-Sumud A correspondent of Libya Al-Samoud said in Sirte that about 48 people were killed and 50 wounded in a missile…

Summary

Published
30 October 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–48
Civilians reported injured
0–50
Military actors reported killed
0–48
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Unknown
View Incident

Incident Date

25 October 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-209

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Tarabulus, Libya
Two men died on October 25, 2011 after being detained in rebel custody in Tripoli on October 25, 2011 according to the UN Report Source Page 81. One man, a member of Gaddafi’s security forces, was arrested by the rebels on September 11, 2011 and held in the former Internal Security Agency building in central…

Summary

Published
25 October 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 October 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-208

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya
Six civilians, including one child, were allegedly killed by a NATO airstrike on Sirte. Libya Now said: "Yesterday, Saturday, the revolutionaries found in the city of Sirte a cemetery containing the remains of 6 people from one family, including a child, who were killed by the bombing of the second area at dawn last Wednesday."…

Summary

Published
19 October 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

17 October 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-207

Location

بني وليد, Bani Walid, Misrata, Libya
A young man from Bani Walid was killed by Al-Zawiyah rebels on October 17, 2011 according to UN Report Source page 78. He was arrested by the Al-Zawiyah in front of his relatives and they were assured he would be released soon but shortly after, they heard gunshots and he was found in a hospital…

Summary

Published
17 October 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident Date

12 October 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-205

Location

سرت, Sirte, Surt, Libya
On October 12th, 2011, five dead and 44 injured were admitted to the Misurata hospital. A single source reported that the casualties were from the western Sirte front. No details were provided on the victims combatant status, It was also unclear which group had caused the injuries. Private Misurata Free reported that "the Misurata Hospital,…

Summary

Published
12 October 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–5
Civilians reported injured
0–44
Military actors reported killed
0–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Unknown
View Incident