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

29 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-080

Location

الغيران, Ghiran, Misrata, Libya
Up to six civilians were reported injured by shelling from Gaddafi regime forces in Ghiran near Misurata. A video posted by Ismail Abdulla shows various civilians being treated in hospital for injuries said to have been sustained from the shelling. There is currently no further known public information available relating to this event.

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-079

Location

East of Steel Factory, Misrata, Libya
A NATO airstrike reportedly killed between 11 and 12 rebels in a friendly fire incident near Misurata. CNN said 11 rebels were killed and two wounded and added: "Angry survivors told Marie Colvin of The Sunday Times that they and the victims were on the coast, east of a steel plant, when a NATO plane…

Summary

Published
27 April 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
11–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-077

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya
On April 25th, 2011, Gaddafi forces shelled Misurata at dawn, firing over 40 rockets. Al Jazeera reported that 12 civilians were killed in the attack and a further 57 injured , according to a rebel spokesman. Airwars has to date been unable to identify additional sources in relation to this event.

Summary

Published
25 April 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
57
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

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

Lib2011-075

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