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

2 November 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-213

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya
One man died after being severely beaten while being held in custody by the Independence Brigade rebels in Tawrga'a on November 2, 2011 according to UN Report Source Page 82. A former Qadhafi soldier died on November 2, 2011 after being transferred to a hospital in Misrata. An initial autopsy report obtained by the victim's…

Summary

Published
2 November 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

18 March–1 November, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-214

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya
One man was allegedly injured by a NATO airstrike while travelling in his car in Misurata. Surt son posted two videos on Youtube of the young man telling his story how he was hit. In the videos he appears severely injured and burned. There is currently no further information available.

Summary

Published
1 November 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

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

18 March–1 November, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-211

Location

منطقة العمارات, Al Amarat, Surt, Libya
One child was allegedly killed and its mother injured by a NATO airstrike on Sirte. Nour Al Din Al Zaki said: "Siham Mohammed al-Qantari, 24 years. She was hit by shrapnel in the back which caused paralysis and is now under treatment and her child die who was in her lap next to her house…

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