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

27 May 2018

Incident Code

LC081

Location

Al Fatayah, Darnah, Libya
الفتايح
Heavy air raids on western Derna and Al-Fatayah were launched by LNA planes and UAE drones, according to local sources. Unlimited News said that civilians were harmed in the strikes: "Activists said airstrikes late on Sunday targeted the western entrance to the city. Hours earlier, a civilian from Derna was wounded, and three others were…

Summary

Published
27 May 2018
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Incident Date

18 May 2018

Incident Code

LQ066

Location

Derna, Darnah, Libya
درنة
Various local sources reported joint airstrikes by the LNA and an unknown pro-LNA actor on Derna. Alnabaa TV reported: "The correspondent added, Friday, that a random shell fell on the central district of the city, causing damage to buildings without causing civilian harm." Libya 24 TV reported that an ammunition store was destroyed in the…

Summary

Published
18 May 2018
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Incident Date

15 May 2018

Incident Code

LC080

Location

Kufra, Al Kufrah, Libya
الكفرة
Three Eritrean citizens were reportedly killed in an airstrike in Kufra city and eight more Eritrean asylum seekers wounded in an airstrike in Kufra city near Abdulmalik mountain close to the Egyptian border, according to Vincent Cochetel, Special Envoy of the UNHCR for the Central Mediterranean situation. Jamal Adel said on Twitter the strike was…

Summary

Published
15 May 2018
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Incident Date

6 March 2018

Incident Code

LC079

Location

Sabha, Sabha, Libya
سبها‎
Three civilians were killed and at least 10 more wounded by shrapnel resulting from LNA fighting a Tebu militia in Sebha, according to local reports. Fezzan Libya, citing the Sebha Medical Centre, reported that 3 people were killed – including one child – and 12 were injured – including 3 children – as a result of…

Summary

Published
6 March 2018
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Incident Date

4 March 2018

Incident Code

LC078

Location

Al Zintan, Darnah, Libya
الزنتان
Between three and five civilians were reportedly injured in what was described as indiscriminate LNA artillery shelling on the Al-Zintan neighbourhood in western Derna. @Abo_moslem4036 reported a “random bombardment” at the west of the entrance to the Darna al-Zintan neighbourhood, which injured three women, a child and a man. @deskdrnoe cited the LNA for bombing…

Summary

Published
4 March 2018
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Incident Date

28 February 2018

Incident Code

LC077

Location

Sabha, Sabha, Libya
At least six civilians were killed in Sabha during fighting between rival armed groups, Reuters reported. Reuters reported that LNA and rival groups fought in the vicinity of Sabha, leading to the deaths of at least six civilians. 

Summary

Published
28 February 2018
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