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

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

Lib2011-054

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

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

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

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