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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

22 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-174

Location

الحي رقم 2, Neighbourhood No. 2, Surt, Libya
Two women were allegedly killed by a NATO airstrike on neigbourhood No 2 of Sirte. TV Arrai posted a video on Youtube where a nurse says that two women were killed in the attack. NATO on that day reported striking one "Ammunition Storage and Military Barracks Facility" near Sirte. There is currently no further information…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-175

Location

سرت, Sirte, Surt, Libya
At lease one female civilian was injured in Sirte when she was struck by a stray bullet in her home on September 22, 2011 according to a tweet from @libyaalahrartv.

Summary

Published
22 September 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
View Incident

Incident Date

21 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-172

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya
One child was allegedly injured by a NATO airstrike on Sirte. Surt son posted a video of a child in hospital bed on Youtube who is missing a leg and arm. Additionally he seems to have sustained severe face injuries as his upper body is almost entirely bandaged. NATO reported hitting "1 Command and Controle…

Summary

Published
21 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

21 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-171

Location

بني وليد, Bani Walid, Misrata, Libya
At least four people were killed by Gaddafi forces in Bani Walid on September 21, 2011 according to News.sar5t.libya and Al Jazeera. According to both sources, the four people were executed for raising the flag of independence.

Summary

Published
21 September 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

20 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-170

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya
On September 20th, 2011, Reuters reported that a spokesman for Gaddafi stated that 151 civilians were killed due to shelling on Sirte. This number was unable to be verified. Independent investigators later found that civilian casualty number reported by the Gaddafi regime were hugely inflated of fabricated. NATO confirmed airstrikes on “1 Command and Control…

Summary

Published
20 September 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
151
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

18 September 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-169

Location

الحي رقم 3, Neighbourhood No. 3, Surt, Libya
On September 18th, 2011, three children were reported to have died from NATO bombardment in the third residential area of Sirte. Nour al-Din Nasser al-Zanki reported the deaths of two children, while a Facebook page from a father reported the death of another child on the same day. NATO confirmed airstrikes on “1 Military Facility,…

Summary

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