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

25 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-078

Location

الزنتان, Al Zintan, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Libya
On April 25th, 2011, three people were reported killed while fleeing Zintan, due to artillery shelling from Gaddafi forces . It was unclear how many of those harmed were civilians or rebels, from this single source claim via Al Jazeera.

Summary

Published
25 April 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–3
Military actors reported killed
0–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

24 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-076

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya
Between one and 14 civilians were allegedly killed by Gaddafi forces shelling on Misurata. An Amnesty International investigation found the following: "Ahmed Ahmed al-Majdoub, a 64-year-old father of 10, was killed on 25 April at his daughter’s house in the Qasr Ahmad neighbourhood of Misratah, to the west of the port." The investigation quotes al-Majdoub's…

Summary

Published
24 April 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
8–14
Civilians reported injured
1–25
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-074

Location

سبها‎, Sabha, Sabha, Libya
Dozens of civilians were reportedly injured in a NATO airstrike near Sabha. A video by Libya Tears showed footage of civilians being treated in a hospital after an alleged  airstrike. The caption reads: "This is what NATO has done to protect civilians with Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973. At the instigation of our brothers…

Summary

Published
23 April 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-075

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya
Gaddafi forces bombing of Misurata allegedly killed 40 civilians and injured many more, according to a major news channel. Al Jazeera reported at the time: "40 people were killed and dozens of others wounded in a bombing carried out by the Gaddafi Brigades on Saturday on the city of Misurata" There is currently no additional…

Summary

Published
23 April 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
40
Civilians reported injured
24–36
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

22 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-073

Location

باب العزيزية, Bab Al Azizia, Tarabulus, Libya
Three civilians were reported killed in a NATO airstrike near Tripoli. Breaking News posted on Twitter: "Libya update: 3 die when NATO airstrike hits parking lot at Gadhafi compound in Tripoli - Govt. spokesman via Reuters." Other sources published similar news, referring back to the government spokesperson. The Huffington post reported that the area was…

Summary

Published
22 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

20 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-070

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya
Seven civilians were reported killed as a result of indiscriminate shelling on Misurata by Gaddafi forces. Among them were two internationally known photojournalists, Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros. The BBC reported: "Briton Tim Hetherington, 40, is said to have been killed in a rocket-propelled grenade attack. US photographer Chris Hondros, 41, was also killed, and two others,…

Summary

Published
20 April 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident