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

1 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-057

Location

مرسى البريقة, Brega, Al Wahat, Libya
Between six and seven civilians were reported killed in a NATO airstrike in the outskirts of Brega. The BBC wrote: "A direct hit on an ammunition truck and trailer in a street in Zawia el Argobe sent a hail of shrapnel into nearby houses, [Dr Refardi] said. Four of the dead were female, including three children…

Summary

Published
1 April 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6–7
Civilians reported injured
25
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

1 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-058

Location

مرسى البريقة, Brega, Al Wahat, Libya
Between ten and 13 rebel fighters were reportedly killed in friendly fire by a NATO airstrike near Brega. This included three medical students, whom Airwars has classed as non combatants. While Al Jazeera provided the lowest death toll at ten, the BBC reported: "At least 13 people are reported to have been killed when a…

Summary

Published
1 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

1–2 April, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-059

Location

ككلة, Kikla, Tarabulus, Libya
Pro Gaddafi forces bombed the town of Kikla for two consecutive days, on both April 1st and 2nd 2011 by airstrikes or artillery shelling, which resulted in 30 civilians being killed and dozens being injured according to local and international reports. France 24 wrote: "One of the residents, who asked not to be named, said,…

Summary

Published
2 April 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
30
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

31 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-056

Location

دوار بين كرزاز و كوبري اقزير, Roundabout between Kerzaz and Askir Bridge , Misrata, Libya
On March 31st, 2011 between six and seven civilians were killed on the roundabout between the Karzaz neighborhood and Igzir bridge in Misrata by Gaddafi forces. Two civilians were children, seven year old Amma 'Adel al-Asta and 18 month old Ru'a 'Adel al-Asta. An Amnesty report and Facebook posts report on the deaths, with another…

Summary

Published
31 March 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
6–7
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-053

Location

تاجوراء, Tajoura, Tarabulus, Libya
Up to 40 civilians were killed in Tajoura by a NATO airstrike, according to a senior Vatican official based in Tripoli at the time. Reuters reported on the incident: "At least 40 civilians have been killed in air strikes by Western forces on Tripoli, the top Vatican official in the Libyan capital said Thursday, citing…

Summary

Published
30 March 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
40
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-055

Location

خوروم, Khorum, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Libya
A toddler, the 18-months old Sirajuddin al-Sweisi, was reportedly killed in a NATO airstrike on Brega. The Boston News wrote: "Nizha Abdel-Salam and her family say her 18-month old son Sirajuddin al-Sweisi was killed when debris pierced the wall of their home as NATO airstrikes hit an ammunition [dump] near their village of Khorum early…

Summary

Published
30 March 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident