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 DatePublication Date

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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Incident Date

11 August 2019

Incident Code

LC180

Location

Souq Al Jumaa, Tarabulus, Libya
سوق الجمعة
Three people were reportedly injured by LNA artillery shelling on the Souq Al Jumaa neighbourhood of Tripoli. Libya Alahrar TV wrote: "3 civilians were injured due to shells falling on a residential neighbourhood in Souq Al Jumaa area in Tripoli" February TV also said three civilians were injured and blamed the LNA for the shelling.…

Summary

Published
11 August 2019
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Incident Date

10 August 2019

Incident Code

LC179

Location

As Saddadah, Misrata, Libya
السدادة
One civilian was killed and five more allegedly injured in an LNA airstrike on As Saddadah. Libya Alahrar TV reported: "One person is killed and 5 others were injured near the great man-made river south of As Saddadah due to the bombing of Hafter Air Force on the administrative headquarters of the company." In another…

Summary

Published
10 August 2019
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Incident Date

8 August 2019

Incident Code

LC178a

Location

Bendalwah, Murzuq, Murzuq, Libya
بندلوة, مرزق
Two civilians were allegedly killed and four children injured by a mortar shell in Murzuq. OCHA reported: "On 8 August, a mortar landed on a house hosting IDPs in the Bendalwah neighborhood resulting in injuries among four children between 2 and 7 years-old and the death of two siblings." Other sources picked up on the…

Summary

Published
8 August 2019
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Incident Date

5 August 2019

Incident Code

LC178

Location

Vicinity of the Burnt Bus Junction, Surt, Libya
اربع شوارع الحافلة المحروقة
Two civilians were allegedly killed in a Turkish airstrike near Sirte. Lana News wrote: "Two people were killed and a child was wounded by a Turkish warplane that supported the Al-Wifaq militia, which targeted a Sirte truck and another civilian vehicle near the city of Sirte. Medical sources at Ibn Sina hospital in Sirte said…

Summary

Published
5 August 2019
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Incident Date

4–5 August, 2019

Incident Code

LC177

Location

Al Qala, Murzuq, Libya
القلعة
At least 42 civilians were reportedly killed in an LNA or Emirati airstrike on Murzuq in one of the biggest civilian harm events in Libya since 2011. Al Jazeera said: "At least 42 people have been killed and dozens wounded in an air raid in southern Libya, an official said, as the United-Nations recognised government…

Summary

Published
4 August 2019
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