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

17 February 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-006

Location

درنة‎, Derna, Darnah, Libya
On February 17th 2011, between three and six protestors were shot dead by Gaddafi security forces in Derna, with between 15 and 25 additionally wounded, as reported by Al Jazeera and Wiki News. Al Jazeera reports "Large numbers of demonstrators also went out today in the city of Derna, east of Benghazi, interspersed with burning…

Summary

Published
17 February 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
15–25
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-005

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya
On February 17th, multiple sources reported at least 13 and as many as 20 civilian fatalities and up to 200 more injured by Gaddafi security forces in Benghazi, who were said to have fired live rounds on Gamal Abdel Nasser Street. Al Jazeera reports "there were reports of six deaths in the Benghazi confrontations, where…

Summary

Published
17 February 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
13–20
Civilians reported injured
40–200
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-004

Location

البيضان, Bayda, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Libya
On February 17th, 2011, between 5:30pm and 6:00pm local time, the deaths of between three and 14 civilians were reported killed by Gaddafi forces in Bayda. Ibm tweeted, quoting Al Jazeera: "Three demonstrators were killed and four wounded by Libyan security bullets in Al-Bayda city, east of Benghazi." @monakareem said: "Security forces kill 4 more…

Summary

Published
17 February 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
3–14
Civilians reported injured
4–50
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-003

Location

شارع العروبة, Al Orouba Street, Al Bayda, Libya
Seven civilian were allegedly killed and one more injured by Gaddafi forces during protests in Al Bayda. Al Jazera said: "The number of martyrs in Al-Bayda, east of Benghazi, increased to 7, and the security forces injured a 13-year-old child in the leg with rubber bullets." Amnesty International wrote: "In al-Bayda, a protester and a…

Summary

Published
15 February 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-002

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya
On February 16th, between 6:30 and 7:45 PM local time, multiple sources reported one death and multiple injuries in Benghazi after the breakup by security forces of a sit-in. The reported death was of Khaled al-Naji ‘Abderrazeq Khanfar, a 22 year old student who was shot by Gaddafi security forces. Amnesty quotes the father of…

Summary

Published
15 February 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
14–38
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-001

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya
In one of the first mass casualty events of the 2011 Libya uprising,  Amnesty International reported 59 civilians injured on February 15th as a result of demonstrations in Benghazi against Gaddafi forces. The demonstrations lasted until the end of February 16th. Amnesty International stated that "protesters [were] reportedly assaulted by members of the police, riot…

Summary

Published
15 February 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported injured
59
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident