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

30 October 2017

Incident Code

LC075

Location

Libyan-Egyptian border, Al Kufrah, Libya
الحدود الليبية المصرية
Two sources reported that the Egyptian Air Force destroyed six vehicles at the border with Egypt in the Kufra district. One of them claimed that it had loaded weapons and ammunition while another claimed it was a civilian car coming back from a fishing trip. Mansoura Today reported, for example, that “Yesterday, the air force…

Summary

Published
30 October 2017
View Incident

Incident Date

30 October 2017

Incident Code

LC074

Location

Al Fatayeh, Darnah, Libya
الفتايح
In the first significant civilian casualty report in several months, various sources said that between 12 and 18 civilians were killed in an airstrike in Al-Fatayih – among them up to eight children and five women. In addition, 25 to 30 people were reported injured in the strike. Most sources claim Egypt was responsible for…

Summary

Published
30 October 2017
View Incident

Incident Date

23 October 2017

Incident Code

LQ059

Location

Libyan-Egyptian border, Al Butnan, Libya
الحدود الليبية المصرية
Egyptian planes destroyed a convoy of eight cars before it crossed the border from Libya. Reportedly the cars were loaded with weapons and belonged to an unknown extremist militia. Al Hayat reported the following: “Army spokesman Colonel Tamer al-Rifai said that  Egyptian forces are conducting sweeps and raiding to the mountains and mountainous areas to…

Summary

Published
23 October 2017
View Incident

Incident Date

1 October 2017

Incident Code

LQ058

Location

Derna, Darnah, Libya
درنة‎
A boat carrying ammunition was possibly among the targets hit by airstrikes in Derna, according to local reports. 24/24 reported strike targeting a convoy of militants in “the southern axis” of Derna city. Annona3 reported aircraft targeted “ammunition boats,” and suggested Egypt might have been responsible. Another report on Twitter, posted by TanasuhTV, said that…

Summary

Published
1 October 2017
View Incident

Incident Date

28 September 2017

Incident Code

LQ057

Location

Libyan-Egyptian border, Al Butnan, Libya
الحدود الليبية المصرية
The Egyptian air force destroyed ten vehicles it said were attempting to enter the country from the border with Libya, and which were allegedly smuggling weapons. According to Arab Today, “The raid was carried out on Wednesday on the basis of information that “criminal elements were preparing to infiltrate” Egypt, said army spokesman Col. Tamer…

Summary

Published
28 September 2017
View Incident

Incident Date

8 August 2017

Incident Code

LQ055

Location

port, Darnah, Libya
درنة‎
The LNA reportedly targeted a boat off the coast of Derna which it said was transporting fighters and weapons to the Shura Council. According to the faction, the boat “carried terrorists, ammunition and weapons to terrorist gangs in the city of Derna.” The fate of any civilian crew on board the vessel is presently unknown.

Summary

Published
8 August 2017
View Incident