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

26 August 2019

Incident Code

LC185a

Location

Kalipa, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Libya
الكليبة
One civilian was reportedly killed by mortar shelling in Kalipa. Tk Yahrouq Kl shy said: "A mortar falls on the house of Moftah Salem Taroum in Kalipa area which led to his death (he is father to 6 children)." The same source also posted a video showing the bodies of various people, possibly also militants…

Summary

Published
26 August 2019
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Incident Date

24 August 2019

Incident Code

LC185

Location

Vicinity of Al Keramia Market, Tarabulus, Libya
سوق الكريمية الاستثماري
Between three and four civilians were allegedly killed in an LNA or UAE airstrike on Al-Swani. The Libya Observer tweeted: "Military Source: An airstrike carried out by UAE-backed Haftar’s air force militia destroys a civilian’s car killing three family members fleeing the fighting in Swani region, south Tripoli." Hona Souq Al-Khmies also put the death…

Summary

Published
24 August 2019
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Incident Date

24 August 2019

Incident Code

LC184

Location

Mitiga International Airport, Tarabulus, Libya
مطار معيتيقة
One civilian was allegedly injured by indiscriminate artillery shelling on the Mitiga Airport in Tripoli. The rival GNA accused the LNA of being the culprit. Libya Alahrar TV reported: "One injured as a result of the shelling of Mitiga airport during the arrival of pilgrims this morning." Other sources, such as Marsad, only reported shelling…

Summary

Published
24 August 2019
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Incident Date

16 August 2019

Incident Code

LC183

Location

Mitiga International Airport, Tarabulus, Libya
Two civilians were reportedly injured by LNA shelling on Mitiga Airport in Tripoli. The Facebook page of the Burkan Al Ghadab operation by the rival GNA said: "During the last few hours, the militia of the war criminal Hifter targeted the employees of the Libyan Company for Handling and Ground Services at Mitiga International Airport…

Summary

Published
16 August 2019
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Incident Date

15 August 2019

Incident Code

LC182

Location

Mitiga International Airport, Tarabulus, Libya
مطار معيتيقة
One civilian was allegedly killed in an LNA artillery strike on Mitiga Airport in Tripoli. Akhbar Libya wrote that "one person is reported to have been killed by shells at Mitiga airport." Libya Alahrar TV reported: "Security source to Al Ahrar: one person killed and another injured by the targeting of Mitiga International Airport with…

Summary

Published
15 August 2019
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Incident Date

14 August 2019

Incident Code

LC181

Location

Aziziya, Al Jafarah, Libya
العزيزية‎
Six civilians were allegedly injured in an LNA airstrike on Aziziya. According to the Washington Post, "at least four medical staff" were injured. The Libya Observer wrote: "Haftar's forces also hit, using a UAE drone, a field hospital in Aziziya in southern Tripoli, leaving behind injuries among both medical staffers and civilians. According to the…

Summary

Published
14 August 2019
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