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

7 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-062

Location

اجدابيا, Ajdabiya, Al Wahat, Libya
Up to 13 rebel fighters were reportedly killed either by a NATO airstrike in a friendly fire incident, or a Gaddafi regime strike, near Ajdabiya. CNN posted on Twitter that "an airstrike killed at least three people." The Telegraph showed a picture of three injured fighters. Meanwhile VOA said four rebels had been killed and 14 more…

Summary

Published
7 April 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
4–13
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

6 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-061

Location

مصراتة‎, Misurata, Misrata, Libya
On April 6th 2011, Gaddafi forces launched an airstrike or artillery shelling on Misurata in the evening that resulted in the reported deaths of five people and the injuring of an additional 25. Al Jazeera said that five people were killed and 25 others wounded in the bombing on areas controlled by the rebels in…

Summary

Published
6 April 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
25
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5 April 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-060

Location

شارع طرابلس ومنطقة الميناء, Tripoli Street and the Port, Misrata, Libya
On April 5th 2011, two civilians were reported killed and 26 injured as a result of artillery shelling by Gaddafi forces on the city of Misurata. The bombing was said to have started at 10am. According to Al Jazeera, "A Libyan rebel said today, Wednesday, that two people were killed and 26 wounded in artillery…

Summary

Published
5 April 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
26
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi 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

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 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