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
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

19 September 2019

Incident Code

LC200

Location

Bouhdima, Benghazi, Libya
بوهديمة
One civilian was allegedly killed and twelve more injured by possible artillery shelling in Benghazi. The Libya Observer reported: "One person was killed and at least 12 others, including women and children, were injured when indiscriminate rocket shells fell on a condolences tent in Bouhdima district of Benghazi. Local sources said the shells were fired…

Summary

Published
19 September 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

19 September 2019

Incident Code

LC201a

Location

Murzuq, Murzuq, Libya
مرزق
The US conducted a rare action against militant targets in Libya in September 2019, striking what it later said was "a terrorist facilitation and meeting location consisting of ISIS-Libya terrorist leadership and militants." In April 2020, US Africa Command reported that no civilians were harmed in this action near Murzuq on September 19th, 2019 -…

Summary

Published
19 September 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

17 September 2019

Incident Code

LC199

Location

Al Keramia, Tarabulus, Libya
الكريمية
A family was reportedly injured in an LNA airstrike on Janzur. The Libya Observer wrote: "Khalifa Haftar's warplanes continue to strike residential areas in south and east Tripoli without targeting military locations as foreign drones backing up Haftar's forces strike Mitiga Airport for the fourth day in a row. Sources from Volcano of Rage Operation…

Summary

Published
17 September 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

13 September 2019

Incident Code

LC198

Location

Tripoli: Oil tanks, Tarabulus, Libya
طرابلس‎: خزانات النفط
One child was reportedly injured because of LNA shelling on Tripoli. The GNA Burkan Al Ghadab operation claimed: "The child Osama Mohammed Hamza was injured by shrapnel in the neck as a result of the indiscriminate shelling of the militias of the war criminal Hafter behind oil tanks and was transferred to the field hospital…

Summary

Published
13 September 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

13 September 2019

Incident Code

LC197

Location

Asabi'ah, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Libya
الاصابعة
One civilian was reportedly killed by indiscrimintate shelling on Asabi'ah. Tk yahrouq Kl shy said: "Drone shelling on the area of Asabi'ah near the Al Sila camp, which led to the death of citizen Abdel-Hakim Bnaser due to aerial bombing." There is currently no further information available. Local reports of fighting point at the GNA…

Summary

Published
13 September 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

13 September 2019

Incident Code

LC196

Location

Sirte, Surt, Libya
سرت‎
One civilian was allegedly injured in an LNA airstrike south of Sirte. Akhbar Libya 24 reported: "Photographer Walid Zarmouh of Misurata was injured while escorting an armed convoy belonging to Al-Wefaq government [GNA] forces, which was heading towards Al Jufra military base. A source familiar with the fact that Zarmouh was injured said a pre-emptive…

Summary

Published
13 September 2019
View Incident