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

20 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-042

Location

البوابة الرشقية ألجدابيا, Ajdabiya’s eastern gate, Al Wahat, Libya
Two civilians were killed by Gaddafi forces artillery shelling in Ajdabiya, according to an Amnesty International report. The investigation noted: "Among [those killed] were 67-year old Miftah al-Tarhouni, and his 36-year-old son Mohammad, who were killed on 20 March near Ajdabiya’s eastern gate when their car was hit by a projectile – seemingly a rocket…

Summary

Published
20 March 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-043

Location

البوابة الرشقية ألجدابيا, Petrol station in the vicinity Eastern gate of Ajdabiya, Al Wahat, Libya
On February 22nd, 2011, unknown actors killed one civilian and injured another near Ajdabiya, both of the al-Sheikhi family. Ruqaya ‘Abdelghani al-Sheikhi, a 34 year old teacher, was shot and died after being taken to the hospital. Amnesty states "it has not always been possible to establish whether the people killed or injured were deliberately…

Summary

Published
20 March 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-040

Location

الدولار, Dollar, Benghazi, Libya
Two civilians, one of them a child, were allegedly killed by Gaddafi forces artillery shelling on the Hay Dollar neighbourhood of Benghazi. An Amnesty International field investigation found: "The renewed attacks were even more vicious as the rockets used were packed with small metal balls intended to maximize injury and damage. Grad rockets packed with…

Summary

Published
19 March 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
View Incident

Incident Date

19 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-039

Location

الزاوية‎, Zawiya, Al Zawiyah, Libya
An elderly Palestinian woman was allegedly killed by Gaddafi forces shelling on Zawiya. According to Palestine Book : "The martyrdom of the elderly Palestinian Alamiya Al-Kamoudi, 71 years old, and the wounding of her brother and his wife (residing in Libya), from Al-Bureij camp in the Gaza Strip, as a result of indiscriminate bombing by…

Summary

Published
19 March 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-041

Location

مصراتة‎, Misrata, Misrata, Libya
On March March 19th 2011, forces loyal to Gaddafi bombed the town of Misurata with either airstrikes or artillery shelling, which resulted to up to 50 civilians killed and 84 wounded. Al Bayan reported that 25 people were killed and 70 wounded during the bombing by the Libyan leader's forces in the city of Misurata, which…

Summary

Published
19 March 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
25–50
Civilians reported injured
70–84
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

18 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-036

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya
On March 18th, 2011, up to 25 civilians were killed and up to 70 more wounded in shelling in Misurata from Gaddafi forces according to multiple sources. Al-Jazeera reported that shelling from Gaddafi tanks and artillery, combined with Gaddafi snipers, had killed 25 and possibly more, according to a spokesman from the February 17 Youth.…

Summary

Published
18 March 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
25
Civilians reported injured
70
Military actors reported killed
0–25
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident