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 550 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
835 – 1,218
Locally reported civilian deaths from all military actors in Libya actions in Libya.
550 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
335 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
113 – 159
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
126 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
551 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

18 May 2020

Incident Code

LC402

Location

القره بوللي, Castelverde, Tarabulus, Libya
Up to four civilians were reported killed and others injured when mortars fell on Al Sab’a Buildings in Castelverde, Libya on May 18th, 2020. The Libya Observer tweeted "Three people were killed and others wounded in a rocket attack on the town of Castelverde, east of Tripoli, on Monday." 218 News said that in a…

Summary

Published
18 May 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Unknown
View Incident

Incident Date

16 May 2020

Incident Code

LC401

Location

طرابلس‎: الفرناج, Al Fornaj: University Dormitory, Tarabulus, Libya
Six civilians, including a child, were killed and 17 civilians were injured in alleged Libyan National Army (LNA) artillery strikes on Al Fornaj neighbourhood in Tripoli on May 16th, 2020. According to local sources, the strikes targeted housing units for displaced people at a university campus. The Libya Observer reported that "five people were killed…

Summary

Published
16 May 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
17
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident Date

16 May 2020

Incident Code

LC400

Location

ميدان الاربعة شوارع, 4 Streets Square, Tarabulus, Libya
One civilian was allegedly injured by shelling on the Hadaba area of Tripoli. Tk Yahrouq Kl shy wrote: "A shell landed in the 4 streets Al Haddad in the Hadaba area, and a civilian was wounded by shrapnel." There is currently no further information available. Reports of fighting in the area point at GNA or…

Summary

Published
16 May 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident Date

15 May 2020

Incident Code

LC399

Location

طريق اشميخ, Ashmikh Road, Misrata, Libya
Two civilians were allegedly by a Turkish drone strike near Bani Walid. Tarhuna 24 said: "Turkish drone targeted a car transfer type veto by citizens of the city of Bani Walid coming from the corner across the road Gharyan. People have been targeted when they arrive to the area Ashmikh thankfully both survived with varying…

Summary

Published
15 May 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
GNA/Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 May 2020

Incident Code

LC398

Location

طريق السور, Al Sour road, Tarabulus, Libya
One civilian was allegedly injured by LNA shelling on the Al Sour road area of Tripoli. Libya Alahrar TV wrote: "The media advisor to the Ministry of Health, Al-Amin Al-Hashemi, confirms that the Central Hospital of Tripoli received, today treated a 68-year-old civilian, who was injured as a result of a shell fired by Haftar…

Summary

Published
15 May 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident Date

15 May 2020

Incident Code

LC397

Location

طرابلس‎: الفرناج, Tripoli: Al Fornaj, Tarabulus, Libya
Two civilians were allegedly injured by indiscrimiante shelling on the Fornaj neighbourhood of Tripoli. Hona Souq Al-Khmies reported: "Injury of 2 displaced people, one of whom was seriously injured, and he is now under operations." Tk Yahroug Kl shy said that several shells landed in the area, including on the Savings and Real Estate Investment…

Summary

Published
15 May 2020
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
View Incident