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

12 October 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-204

Location

سرت‎, Western Sirte, Surt, Libya
At least 42 civilians were killed near the western Sirte frontline and were found on October 12, 2011 according to Elaph. According to Anis Faraj, a witness who claimed he shared a cell with those that were found dead, about 47 men were being held in a cell and they were taken to Musassim Gaddafi,…

Summary

Published
12 October 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
42
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 October 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-203

Location

الزاوية‎, Zawiya, Al Zawiyah, Libya
At least two men died from injuries they sustained after being detained by rebel forces at Judayem detention centre and later died in Al Zawiyah Hospital on October 9, 2011 according to UN Report Source Page 81. Both men were arrested on September 17, 2011 in Al Zawiyah by rebel forces and taken to Judaism…

Summary

Published
9 October 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident Date

6–7 October, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-201

Location

الدولار, Dollar , Surt, Libya
Three civilians were allegedly killed and a mother injured by a NATO airstrike on the Al Wafa neighbourhood of Sirte, which is alternatively referred to as Al Dollar neighbourhood.. ANVWL said on one of the victim's circumstances of death on October 6th: "The child was killed in Al-Wafa neighbourhood, Al-Dollar neighbourhood, as a result of…

Summary

Published
6 October 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

6 October 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-202

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya
At least 17 people were killed, including one man who was a soldier in Qadhafi's forces, in Sirte by rebel forces around October 6, 2011 according to the UN Report Source Page 78. A Tawerghan living in an IDP camp was a relative of the soldier killed and was told about his relative's death by…

Summary

Published
6 October 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
17
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-198

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya
A Sudanese family of seven was allegedly killed by a NATO airstrike on Sirte. Al Jamahiriya reported: "A Sudanese family of 7 was martyred in Sirte, as a result of the bombing of their house by NATO mercenaries and its agents." Other sources published carbon copies of the story. NATO did not report strikes near…

Summary

Published
5 October 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-199

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya
On October 5th, 2011, a Moroccan woman was reported to have been injured by a mortar shell in Sirte. The mortar was suspected to have been fired by Libyan rebel forces. Multiple sources reported on the injury of the woman, although no additional information was provided. An al-Jamahiriya post stated that "A Moroccan woman was…

Summary

Published
5 October 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident