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

18 June 2017

Incident Code

LQ048

Location

Sabri, Benghazi, Libya
Local sources reported almost 30 new air raids on Benghazi by LNA forces, mostly centred near the Sabri and fish market areas. There were no known public reports of civilian harm at the time.

Summary

Published
18 June 2017
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Incident Date

4 June 2017

Incident Code

LQ046

Location

Omar al-Mukhtar mausoleum, Benghazi, Libya
بنغازي‎
Local sources reported airstrikes in multiple areas of Benghazi – including Sabri, the fish market area at the tomb of Omar al-Mukhtar, the municipal hotel, the Republic Hospital and the Al-Nuran Hotel. According to a report in Akhbar Alaan, the LNA announced ten strikes on militants in the city. Other sources put the number of…

Summary

Published
4 June 2017
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Incident Date

26 May 2017

Incident Code

LQ045

Location

Derna, Darnah, Libya
درنة‎
According to local sources and the Egyptian government, Cairo carried out four ‘retaliatory’ air raids in Derna. Babak Taghvaee reported the Egyptian Air Force had targeted the “al Qaeda affiliated Shura Council” in Derna. The Egyptian Foreign Minister confirmed strikes, reporting it had targeted “terrorist organizations in Derna” – in response to the killing of…

Summary

Published
26 May 2017
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Incident Date

23 May 2017

Incident Code

LC073

Location

Al Wahat Hotel, Al Jufrah, Libya
فندق الواحات
Local sources reported between four and 13 airstrikes on alleged Al Qaeda members in Hun. It remains unclear if civilians were among the dead.  Libya Observer wrote that fighters rescued civilians from the rubble of the collapsed Al-Wahat hotel. It reported that five people died but didn’t specify if those were civilians or combatants. Other…

Summary

Published
23 May 2017
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Incident Date

21 May 2017

Incident Code

LC072

Location

Jufra, Al Jufrah, Libya
Several local sources reported LNA strikes near Jufra air base. One source mentioned two killed GNA fighters. Other sources claimed that 21 fighters belonging to a militia from Benghazi and the Chadian opposition got killed and 30 more got injured. Marwan Dirgash reported that the airstrike led to “many civilian casualties” but didn’t give an…

Summary

Published
21 May 2017
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Incident Date

20 May 2017

Incident Code

LC071

Location

Between Sokna and Hun, Al Jufrah, Libya
بين سوكنا وهون
Various local sources reported that airstrikes hit numerous targets in the Jufra district, including a farm between Hun and Sokna, Jufra air base, the civil airport and Al-Bunyan al-Marsous headquarters. Some sources claimed the strikes were conducted by the UAE, while others said it was LNA. The number of strikes varies between ten and twelve.…

Summary

Published
20 May 2017
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