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

13 May 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-092

Location

مرسى البريقة, Brega, Al Wahat, Libya
Between 11 and 16 civilians were reported killed in a NATO airstrike on Brega. Both the BBC and the Washington Post said that eleven clerics were killed in the attack, while Reuters noted that "Nine imams were among 11 people killed in a strike on a guest house in the eastern city of Brega on Friday,…

Summary

Published
13 May 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
11–16
Civilians reported injured
50
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

12 May 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-091

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Tarabulus, Libya
Six possible civilian fatalities were reported in a NATO airstrike on Tripoli at or near one of Gaddafi's compounds. Al Jazeera reported that "A series of explosions rocked early at dawn today in the center of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, in the vicinity of Bab al-Aziziyah, the headquarters of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, after a raid…

Summary

Published
12 May 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–6
Civilians reported injured
0–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

10 May 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-090

Location

العليا للأطفال وسط, High Committee for Children, Tarabulus, Libya
On May 10th at 2am local time, NATO conducted airstrikes in Tripoli, injuring at least four children, with two seriously injured, according to two sources. Multiple sources confirmed at least three explosions, with one centred on the government building housing the Higher Committee for Children. Al Jazeera said: "Reuters quoted Libyan officials as saying that…

Summary

Published
11 May 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

7 May 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-089

Location

زاوية البقول, Zawiyat Al Baqoul, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Libya
Three civilians were allegedly killed by Libyan rebel forces in Zawiyat Al Baqoul. The UN's investigation into Libya 2011 later reported the following: "The Commission also received reports of killings of members of other groups perceived to be Qadhafi loyalists, which typically took place in the immediate aftermath of the thuwar gaining control of the…

Summary

Published
7 May 2011
Civilians reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident Date

4 May 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-087

Location

الحيرة, Al Hira, Al Jafarah, Libya
On May 4th, 2011, NATO airstrikes in the Al Hira area, west of Tripoli, led to reported civilian casualties. State television reported deaths and damage to infrastructure, and was quoted in multiple sources. No specific numbers or details about civilian and belligerent casualties were given. Al Sharq Al-Awsat said fore example: "Libyan TV announced yesterday…

Summary

Published
4 May 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

4 May 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-088

Location

مخيم اللاجئين في قصر أحمد, Refugee Camp in Qasr Ahmed, Misrata, Libya
A family was reportedly killed by Gaddafi regime forces artillery shelling of Misurata. Al Jazeera said at the time: "Libya's revolutionaries said that yesterday's bombing of the Gaddafi Brigades targeted the port of Misrata in western Libya, leaving at least five civilians dead, at a time when an official at the International Criminal Court spoke…

Summary

Published
4 May 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident