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 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-181

Location

الحي رقم 3, Neighbourhood No. 3, Surt, Libya
On 25 September 2011 at about 4 am, NATO struck a residential building in Sirte that ended up in killing a family that consists of four children and three women. Amnesty International said: "It is not clear whether another relative, Mosbah Ahmed Diyab, a Brigadier-General in al-Gaddafi’s forces who lived in another area of the…

Summary

Published
25 September 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

25 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-182

Location

برج الساعة المجاور للحي رقم 3, Clock tower adjacent Neighbourhood No. 3, Surt, Libya
According to various sources mostly affiliated with the Gaddafi regime, family members residing in neighbourhood number 3 in front of Al Sa'a (clock) tower, Sirte, were injured and some killed due to an attack launched by NATO in September 25th 2011. It is unclear due to contradicting sources, whether Sarah Ahmed Abd al-Mawli Yunus and Muhammad…

Summary

Published
25 September 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

24 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-180

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya
One civilian was allegedly injured by NATO bombing on Sirte. TV Arrai reported bombing of residential areas by NATO. Surt Son posted a video on Youtube of a civilian with face injuries. The narrator says he was injured while sitting near his car. NATO on that day reported hitting "2 command and control nodes, 1…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-176

Location

مسكن مصطفى ناجي المرابط, Gidwar family residence, Surt, Libya
Three civilians were allegedly killed and up to four more injured by a NATO airstrike on the Ghardabiya area of Sirte. A Human Rights Watch investigation found: "On September 23, 2011, around 4 p.m., NATO struck a new house on a farm belonging to the Gidwar family in Gurdabiya, about 20 kilometers east of Sirte.…

Summary

Published
23 September 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-179

Location

الجيزة, Al Giza , Surt, Libya
A pregnant woman was allegedly killed by a NATO airstrike on Sirte. Noura Al Din Al Nasser Al Zinki said: "Zohor Fawzi Fadel, 28, was killed while pregnant, 9/23/2011 as a result of the bombing of the family’s home in the Giza Al Askariya District." NATO on that day reported hitting: "1 Ammunition Storage Facility,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-178

Location

Sirte, Surt, Libya
One child was allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte. Nour al din Al Nasser Al Zanki remembered his death in 2015 saying: "Mohammed Khaled Al-Rayani, 6 years, killed 23/9/2011. A shrapnel hit the head in his father's car." Azden.sert also commemorated his death posting a picture of him. NATO on that day reported hitting…

Summary

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