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 April 2017

Incident Code

LQ043

Location

Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya
بنغازي‎
Various sources reported about 18 airstrikes and artillery shelling near the Sabri and fish market areas of Benghazi. Some sources named the UAE as the belligerent, others the LNA. There were no public reports of civilian harm at the time.

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
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Incident Date

24 April 2017

Incident Code

LC070

Location

Sabha, Sabha, Libya
سبها‎
According to several local and international sources, LNA planes bombed a prison run by the Toubou tribe near Sabha, killing up to seven prisoners and wounding as many as nine more. There was disagreement between sources over how many of the victims were prison guards or civilians. Al Jazeera put the death count at “four…

Summary

Published
24 April 2017
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Incident Date

20 April 2017

Incident Code

LC069

Location

Al Fatayah, Darnah, Libya
درنة الفتايح
Social media sources reported two LNA airstrikes in Al-Fatayih East of Derna with a MiG-21 and a MiG-23BN. Press Solidarity reported that the Irsa School for Girls in Al-Fatayih had to shut down temporarily as it was constantly hit by shrapnel from the bombing but didn’t mention any civilian harm: “The school administration explained on…

Summary

Published
20 April 2017
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Incident Date

19 April 2017

Incident Code

LQ042

Location

Al Fatayah, Darnah, Libya
درنة الفتايح
According to local reports, an LNA airstrike hit the Al-Fatayih neighbourhood in East Derna. Reportedly the house of the Bouchiha family was destroyed and other buildings in the neighbour were damaged. There are no publicly known reports of deaths or injuries resulting from the attack.

Summary

Published
19 April 2017
View Incident

Incident Date

19 April 2017

Incident Code

LQ041

Location

Sabri, Benghazi, Libya
بنغازي‎
According to local sources UAE planes carried out between 13 and 20 fresh airstrikes near the fish market and Sabri areas of Benghazi. There were no public reports of civilian harm at the time.

Summary

Published
19 April 2017
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Incident Date

18 April 2017

Incident Code

LQ040

Location

Sabri, Benghazi, Libya
بنغازي‎
Various local sources reported heavy joint LNA and UAE air raids on “terrorist targets” in multiple Benghazi neighbourhoods near Sabri, the fish market and Sidi Akhribesh. The 18 UAE strikes were reportedly conducted by aircraft including an AT-802U. There were no public reports of civilian harm at the time.

Summary

Published
18 April 2017
View Incident