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

3 May 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-086

Location

الرويسات, Al Ruwaisat, Misrata, Libya
On May 3rd, 2011, Gaddafi forces reportedly bombed Misurata after NATO planes had left the area. Al Jazeera said: "Fighting broke out between the rebels and the Gaddafi Brigades in the southern and eastern suburbs of Misrata, and the rebels said they repelled an attack by tanks belonging to the brigades. Sources reported that 55…

Summary

Published
3 May 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
55
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5 May 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-085

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya
On May 2nd 2011, multiple sources reported shelling on Misurata by Gaddafi forces, killing at least six and injuring dozens. It was unclear how many of those harmed were civilians or combatants. Reuters wrote that about a hundred rockets had been fired into Misurata by Gaddafi forces. According to Ahrar Libya : "A medical source…

Summary

Published
2 May 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–6
Civilians reported injured
0–12
Military actors reported killed
0–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

1 May 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-084

Location

كرزاز, Kerzaz, Misrata, Libya
On May 1st-6th, 2011, Ahour Abdullah and his son Yusef were found dead in Kerzaz, the eastern front of Misurata, suspected to be from Gaddafi forces. A Facebook post from "Misrata Today" reported their deaths, confirmed by Amnesty. Amnesty reports "On 6 May, the bodies of ‘Ashour al-Tifl and his son Yousef were found in…

Summary

Published
1 May 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-082

Location

جالو, Jallo Oasis, Al Wahat, Libya
On April 30th, 2011, Gaddafi forces entered the Jallo Oasis, reportedly killing six civilians and four rebels. According to Agence France-Presse, 66 cars arrived from the south of the Oasis, killing one civilian at a bakery and five more civilian workers during the attack. Al Jazeera quoted a rebel spokesman, also describing the six civilian…

Summary

Published
30 April 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
6
Military actors reported killed
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-081

Location

الساحة الخضراء, Green Square, Tarabulus, Libya
Several members of the Gaddafi family were reported to have been killed by a NATO airstrike on Tripoli. While Saif al-Arab Gaddafi, son of Muammar Gaddafi, was reportedly a member of the military, his children clearly had non-combatant status due to their young age. CNN reported: "The Libyan government said Sunday that Gadhafi's son, Saif…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-083

Location

مصراتة, MIsrata, Misrata, Libya
On April 30th, 2011, Gaddafi forces shelling of Misrata led to the reported killing of two people and left 17 others injured. According to Al Jazeera, "A number of Libyan civilians and rebels were killed and wounded as a result of the continued bombardment by Gaddafi Brigades of the city of Misurata with rockets and…

Summary

Published
30 April 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4–6
Military actors reported killed
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident