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

30 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-054

Location

العرقوب, Al Argoub, Al Wahat, Libya
Between seven and ten civilians were allegedly killed and 25 more injured by a NATO airstrike on Al Argoub. The BBC said: "Seven civilians died and 25 were hurt in a coalition air strike on a pro-Gaddafi convoy in eastern Libya, a doctor there has told the BBC. Dr Suleiman Refardi said Wednesday's raid happened…

Summary

Published
30 March 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
25
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

29 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-052

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya
At least 18 civilians were allegedly killed by Gaddafi forces artillery shelling on Misurata. According to Al Jazeera: "In Misurata, the rebels announced that Gaddafi forces had killed more than 18 civilians on Tuesday, and that government forces were still bombing the city and clashing with the fighters." Deutsche Welle wrote: "The forces loyal to…

Summary

Published
23 February 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
18
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

28 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-051

Location

مصراتة‎, Misrata, Misrata, Libya
On March 27th 2011, Gaddafi forces reportedly bombed Misurata either with airstrikes or artillery shelling, which resulted in wounded civilians being treated in a hospital, according to a video published by a single local source. There is currently no further information available.

Summary

Published
29 March 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
3–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

27 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-050

Location

مصراتة, Misrata, Misrata, Libya
On March 27th 2011, Gaddafi forces were reported to have indiscriminately bombed Misurata city using airstrikes or artillery shelling which led to at least three civilian deaths and also injured others, according to a single known source. Al Jazeera, citing AFP, reported: "The same agency quoted a doctor as saying that three people were killed…

Summary

Published
27 March 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

24 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-049

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya
A mother and her four children were reportedly killed by Gaddafi regime shelling on Misurata. Al Manara TV noted: "Gaddafi forces on Friday continued to bomb Misurata east of Tripoli, killing one woman and her four children while a doctor at the city hospital on Thursday said 109 martyrs and 1,300 were wounded in a…

Summary

Published
24 March 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-047

Location

كلية الهندسة العسكرية, College of Military Engineering, Tarabulus, Libya
Several civilians were reportedly killed in a NATO airstrike on Tajoura, east of Tripoli. BBC Arabic said at the time: "Libyan officials early on Thursday took a group of journalists to a hospital in Tripoli to see what they said were 18 charred corpses of soldiers and civilians killed in coalition raids overnight. Western planes bombed…

Summary

Published
23 March 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8–16
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident