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

4 March 2017

Incident Code

LC063

Location

Medical Centre, Ras Lanuf, Surt, Libya
مدرسة تحرير ليبيا, راس لانوف
Various sources reported LNA airstrikes in Libya’s oil crescent. Strikes in all the major oil ports were mentioned but no further details on the exact locations were given, except for one source which said a raid took place in the Ras Lanuf area. Human Rights Solidarity later said that one strike hit the Ras Lanuf…

Summary

Published
4 March 2017
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Incident Date

3 March 2017

Incident Code

LC062

Location

Benghazi: Ganfouda 12 building complex, Benghazi, Libya
بنغازي‎
A woman reportedly died on March 5th after she sustained severe injuries from shrapnel after an airstrike on March 3rd from what was described as a foreign aircraft. The aircraft hit the 12 Buildings in Ganfouda approximately on March 3rd in support of the LNA campaign. Alnabaa reported: “On Sunday, one of the women trapped…

Summary

Published
3 March 2017
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Incident Date

28 February 2017

Incident Code

LC061

Location

Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya
قنفودة
Several sources reported a UAE airstrike in Ganfouda which allegedly killed Omer Ishkal, a former officer of the Gaddafi regime as well as two foreign workers and a child. Iskhal’s status as a combatant is not clear as he was once imprisoned by the Shura Council, then set free, but also sought-after as he refused…

Summary

Published
28 February 2017
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Incident Date

15 February 2017

Incident Code

LQ065

Location

Libyan-Egyptian border, Al Butnan, Libya
الحدود الليبية المصرية
Social media sources reported airstrikes on ten vehicles allegedly attempting to infiltrate Egypt. Oded Berkowitz reported that the Egyptian Air Force bombed 10 vehicles “carrying weapons and ammunition near the border with Libya.” An Alwast News described the incident similarly and cited the Egyptian Air Force as saying all 10 vehicles had been destroyed. A…

Summary

Published
15 February 2017
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Incident Date

9 February 2017

Incident Code

LC060

Location

Jufra air base, Al Jufrah, Libya
قاعدة الجفرة الجوية
The Libya Observer reported that LNA warplanes bombed the Al-Jufra airbase, “killing two and wounding 12.” It was not clear from the report if the victims were civilians or combatants.   EAN Libya reported that six people were killed and wounded, but again did not provide a breakdown. Libya News reported that two members of the…

Summary

Published
9 February 2017
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Incident Date

1 February 2017

Incident Code

LC059

Location

Benghazi: Ganfouda 12 building complex, Benghazi, Libya
بنغازي‎
Two sources reported an LNA airstrike in Benghazi’s Ganfouda neighbourhood. A Twitter source said it hit the 12 Building complex. The Libya Herald reported that soldiers discovered a mass grave in the heavily sieged area: “Soldiers have also today uncovered a mass grave in Ganfouda which contains an unknown number of bodies. Forensic experts are…

Summary

Published
1 February 2017
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