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

18 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-037

Location

أولاد أبوالهول, Awlad Abu Al Houl , Al Jabal al Gharbi, Libya
On March 18th, 2011, it was reported by a single source that pro-Gaddafi forces had bombed a residential area in Awlad Abu Al Houl, wounding at least six people. This claim was only reported by al Jazeera, and was unable to be confirmed from any currently available sources.

Summary

Published
18 March 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

17 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-034

Location

كرزاز, Kerzaz, Misrata, Libya
A father was killed and many members of his family injured by Gaddafi forces tank fire in Misurata, according to an Amnesty International investigation. The Amnesty report noted: "In a separate incident a few hours earlier [on March 17th] in the same area, another family came under fire as they were fleeing Kerzaz in three…

Summary

Published
17 March 2011
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

14 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-033

Location

زوراة, Zawara, Tarabulus, Libya
On March 14th 2011, Gaddafi forces reportedly bombed the city of Zuwara for several hours with airstrikes and artillery shelling. During the capture of the city, it was reported by a single source that one civilian was killed and seven wounded. Al Jazeera said: "Libyan sources had announced earlier, that one person was killed and…

Summary

Published
14 March 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-032

Location

الزاوية‎, Zawiya, Al Zawiyah, Libya
A family of 15 was reportedly killed by Gaddafi forces bombing of Zawiya. Jeanie Abdullah tweeted: "The killing of an entire Palestinian family from the Al-Derwai family - the number of family members is 15 - in the bombing of their homes in the Libyan city of Zawiya." Other users on Twitter published similar reports.…

Summary

Published
13 March 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
15
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

11 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-031

Location

مرسى البريقة, Brega, Surt, Libya
A single source reported on Twitter that six civilians were killed in an airstrike by the Gaddafi regime on Brega. Aban Idris said: "News of the martyrdom of 6 by aerial bombardment of Brega." Al Jazeera and France24 also reported airstrikes, but it is unclear if these were in the direct vicinity of Brega.

Summary

Published
11 March 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

6 March 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-030

Location

راس لانوف‎, Ras Lanuf, Surt, Libya
Three people were reported dead in a Gaddafi regime airstrike on Ras Lanuf. The source was not clear on whether they were civilians or combatants. Al Jazeera posted on Twitter: "Three dead in an air strike on Ras Lanuf" The Hundi, however, reported no casualties from the strike: "Forces loyal to Muammar Qadhafi have launched…

Summary

Published
6 March 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident