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

25 February 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-022

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Tarabulus, Libya
On February 25th, 2011, five civilians were reported killed and between 12 and 24 injured as a result of Gaddafi forces in Tripoli. @Globe_info reported the casualties on Twitter. @Globe_info states "The Zawia Street Hospital in Tripoli is now receiving five martyrs and dozens of wounded, some of them in danger."

Summary

Published
25 February 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 February 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-023

Location

الزاوية, Al Zawiya, Al Zawiyah, Libya
On February 25th, 2011, Gaddafi forces bombed a mosque in Al Zawiya, killing ten using artillery and aircraft. No additional information on the victims was reported, although the deaths were reported by multiple sources on Twitter. @alahlawy29 tweeted "an eyewitness from Al-Zawiya to Al-Jazeera: Anti-tanks and aircraft are used against demonstrators in Libya."

Summary

Published
25 February 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-021

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya
On February 24th, 2011, one civilian was shot in Misrata by Gaddafi forces. The civilian was a Palestinian named Hassam Hatem Abdul Rahman Abu Mustafa. Multiple sources quoted his mother, who confirmed the death of her son. A Facebook post from Nbprs Ps states "The mother of the martyr Hassan Hatem Abdul Rahman Abu Mustafa…

Summary

Published
24 February 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-020

Location

القريات, Qaryat, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Libya
On February 24th, 2011, four civilians were reported killed and one injured in the Jabal al Gharbi district of Al Qaryat, after being shot by Gaddafi forces. Multiple tweets reported the casualties. @tousniahorra states "Four people were killed in Qurayyat, which lies about 400 km south of the Libyan capital, Tripoli. Shot by the security…

Summary

Published
24 February 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-019

Location

ميدان الشهداء‎, Martyrs Square, Al Zawiyah, Libya
On February 24th, 2011, between seven and ten were reported killed by Gaddafi forces in Martyr's Square in Zawiya, with between 40 and 50 injured. UN reports and various tweets corroborated the casualties, alongside the killings of four Gaddafi soldiers. The UN report states "The remainder of Qadhafi forces were overpowered by protesters and retreated…

Summary

Published
24 February 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
40–50
Military actors reported killed
4
Military Actor
Gaddafi 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