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

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

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

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

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

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