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

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

Incident Date

31 May 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-101

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Tarabulus, Libya
On May 31st 2011, sources told Al Jazeera of casualties in Tripoli due to NATO bombing in the area. No numbers were provided, and it was unclear if these casualties were civilians or belligerents. The source said: "NATO renewed its bombing of several locations, including the Libyan capital, Tripoli, at dawn today, which, according to…

Summary

Published
31 May 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 May 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-100

Location

زليتن, Zliten, Misrata, Libya
On May 30th, 2011, multiple sources reported NATO airstrikes on Zliten, which were said to have killed 11 people - although their status was unclear. RT said: "Libyan television announced on Monday, May 30th, that NATO launched air strikes on the town of Zliten on the coastal road linking Tripoli and Misrata, killing 11 people."…

Summary

Published
30 May 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–11
Civilians reported injured
1–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-099

Location

بني وليد, Bani Walid, Misrata, Libya
On May 28th, 2011, a demonstrated near the market in Bani Walid lead to the death of 13 civilians, who were shot by Gaddafi aligned forces. A UN report from 2011 reported the casualty, stating "Together with 12 other young men, an injured man sought refuge in a room on the second floor of a…

Summary

Published
28 May 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
13
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident