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 542 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
834 – 1,217
Locally reported civilian deaths from all military actors in Libya actions in Libya.
542 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
331 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
112 – 158
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
122 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
543 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

26 December 2019

Incident Code

LC261

Location

Oxygen Pharmacy O2, Al Zawiyah, Libya
صيدلية أوكسجين
At least two civilians were killed and eight injured after LNA and/or UAE aircraft hit a pharmacy, a car and other civilian targets in Zawiya. The target of the LNA strikes was initially assumed to be the headquarters of the GNA's Al Farouq battalion. However reports soon made clear that multiple nearby civilian objects had…

Summary

Published
26 December 2019
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Incident Date

25 December 2019

Incident Code

LC260

Location

Qasr Bin Gashir, Tarabulus, Libya
قصر بن غشير
According to local sources, a teenage boy named as Mahmoud Hussein Rabah Al-Jorni was killed after what was described as a 'random shell' hit the family farm at Qaser Bin Ghashir. His death was initially reported by a relative, Mohammed Hasan al-Jurni. Facebook site Tk Yahrouq Kl shy first noted that "Several shells landed in…

Summary

Published
25 December 2019
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Incident Date

24 December 2019

Incident Code

LC259

Location

Vicinity of Bi’r Al Austa Milad road, Tarabulus, Libya
منطقة بـئر الأسطى ميـلاد
On Tuesday, December 24, 2019, drone or artillery strikes, reportedly conducted by the Libyan National Army or the United Arab Emirates in the vicinity of Bi’r Al Austa Milad road, Tajoura, Libya, killed up to four civilians including two women and injured 12 other non-combatants according to local reports. A vegetable market and civilian cars…

Summary

Published
24 December 2019
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Incident Date

22–23 December, 2019

Incident Code

LC258

Location

Al Baaysh, Tarabulus, Libya
الباعيش
Grad missiles reportedly fired by LNA forces struck civilian neighbourhoods in Al Baaysh, Tajoura, injuring three civilians. Libya Akbar News reported that "Local sources confirmed that missile shells landed in the Tajoura region, amid reports of civilian casualties." Burkan Al Ghadab said that "Indiscriminate Grad missile shells fired by the war criminal militia militia Haftar…

Summary

Published
22 December 2019
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Incident Date

22 December 2019

Incident Code

LC258a

Location

Tripoli: Airport road, Tarabulus, Libya
طرابلس‎
One child was reportedly injured by shelling near the Airport road in Tripoli. Libyan Crimes Watch said: "On December 22, a child was injured by shrapnel in several areas of his body, as a result of a shell landing near his house on the airport road." Local reports of fighting point at the GNA or…

Summary

Published
22 December 2019
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Incident Date

20 December 2019

Incident Code

LC257

Location

Msallata, Marqab, Libya
مسلاتة
Air and missile strikes on the city of Msallata by the LNA and UAE killed three civilians, according to local reports. Initially airstrikes had targeted a convoy of militants carrying what were said to be "Al-Wefaq militants" on the road outside Mislata. Address Libya claimed for example that "The Air Force bombed the locations and…

Summary

Published
20 December 2019
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