All Belligerents in Libya, 2012–present

Following the NATO-backed overthrow of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya entered a prolonged period of civil conflict, leading to the fragmentation of the country’s territory between rival forces.

Airwars has documented allegations of civilian harm by a number of military actors in Libya since 2012. Our findings for the 2011 Libya conflict are here.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

512 – 747

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 550 separate alleged incidents.

78 – 94
children likely killed
38 – 41
women likely killed
876
likely injured
567
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
835 – 1,218
Locally reported civilian deaths from all military actors in Libya actions in Libya.
550 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
512 – 747
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by all military actors in Libya
335 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
113 – 159
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
126 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
210 – 310
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
85 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
2
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
4 seperate alleged incidents
551 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

9 July 2021

Incident Code

LC426

Location

سيدي حسين, Sid Hussein, Benghazi, Libya
In the first reported civilian harm event involving explosive weapons use in Libya since March, several outlets said that four civilians had been injured by shelling from an unknown party on the Sidi Hussein neighbourhood of Benghazi. The injured were taken for treatment at the al-Jalaa Hospital. The hospital released the following statement: "Doctors of…

Summary

Published
9 July 2021
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
View Incident

Incident Date

19 March 2021

Incident Code

LC425

Location

زمزم, Zamzam, Benghazi, Libya
Eight children were allegedly injured by artillery shelling from an unknown belligerent in Benghazi. Libya Alahrar TV wrote: "Al-Galaa Hospital for Surgery and Accidents in Benghazi announced that eight children were injured yesterday, Friday, as a result of a shell landing in the Zamzam neighborhood. The hospital added in a statement on Saturday that the…

Summary

Published
19 March 2021
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
View Incident

Incident Date

16–17 February, 2021

Incident Code

LC424

Location

سوق النملة, Vicinity of Al Namla Market, Sabha, Libya
A child was reported killed and up to 30 others including children injured when a shell landed in a square in the Mansheya area of Sabha where a group of people were celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Libyan revolution on February 16th/17th. Some of those injured remain in a critical condition. Sabha News reported…

Summary

Published
16 February 2021
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
9–30
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Unknown
View Incident

Incident Date

4 December 2020

Incident Code

LC423

Location

ترهونة, Tarhuna, Marqab, Libya
One civilian died and another was injured in an explosion of a shell from previous shelling on Tarhuna. 60:60 posted: "The death of the young man, Miftah Abu Aisha Al-Azraq, and the injury of another person, as a result of a shell exploding in their farm in the city of Tarhouna while they were doing…

Summary

Published
4 December 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Unknown
View Incident

Incident Date

19 October 2020

Incident Code

LC422

Location

الجغبوب, Al Jaghboub, Al Butnan, Libya
Two fishermen were reported killed in alleged Egyptian airstrikes on Al Jaghboub near the Libyan-Egyptian border on October 19th, 2020, according to local sources. Libya Al Ahrar wrote that "a security source confirmed that two Libyan fishermen were killed between the Libyan-Egyptian borders as a result of their targeting by the Egyptian warplanes", identifying the…

Summary

Published
19 October 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Egyptian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 August 2020

Incident Code

Lib2011-141

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya
Five or more civilians were allegedly killed by a NATO airstrike on Sirte. Sirte martyrs posted the victims' names and said: "These heroes were martyred by the NATO bombing in Sirte on 20 Ramadan of the Nakba year corresponding to 08-20-2011." Al Gharib Al Ajli wrote: "Meanwhile, 5 NATO missiles collapsed on our house, 5…

Summary

Published
20 August 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident