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

20 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-071

Location

بئر الغنم, Bi'r al Ghanam, Al Zawiyah, Libya
Four civilians were reported killed in a NATO airstrike on Bi'r al Ghanam near Tripoli. Arab Anger Revolution posted on Facebook that "Earlier, four people were killed in the Bi'r al-Ghanam area, southwest of the capital, after an airstrike by the alliance on civilian and military targets." NATO did not report airstrikes in the area…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-072

Location

خلة الفرجان, Khallet Al Furjan, Tarabulus, Libya
Seven civilians were reported killed and 18 other injured in Tripoli as a result of NATO bombing. Arab Anger Revolution claimed that "NATO aircraft launched two air raids on the Libyan capital Tripoli on Wednesday evening, killing several people. Government television said seven people were killed and 18 others wounded when four rockets were fired at…

Summary

Published
20 April 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
18
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

14 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-069

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya
At least 16 civilians were reportedly killed in indiscriminate shelling by Gaddafi regime forces on Misurata. Human Rights Watch reported: "Libyan government forces have launched indiscriminate rocket and mortar attacks on residential neighborhoods in the rebel-held city of Misrata, Human Rights Watch said today. One strike, apparently by a Grad rocket, killed at least eight…

Summary

Published
14 April 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
16–23
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

12 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-067

Location

ككلة‎, Kikla, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Libya
A single source reported that civilians were killed in a NATO airstrike on Kikla. According to Rassd News: "Monitoring Libyan TV: NATO air raid on the town of 'Kikla' south of Tripoli, killing civilians and policemen." NATO did not report any airstrikes near Kikla on that day. There is currently no further known information for…

Summary

Published
12 April 2011
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

12 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-068

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya
Three civilians were reported killed and one injured as a result of Gaddafi forces shelling on Misurata. An ITN report showed people mourning the loss of "two brothers" due to indiscriminate shelling. Later, two injured children are shown in the film, of which one was said to have died at the hospital. There are currently…

Summary

Published
12 April 2011
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

11 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-066

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya
On April 11th, 2011, three members of the Swaib family were killed, with three other member injured by Gaddafi forces in Misurata. A Facebook post from the page "Libya Only" reported the casualties on April 24th. A young child and his parents were injured, with another four year old child reported dead alongside two male…

Summary

Published
11 April 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident