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

28 August 2016

Incident Code

LC040

Location

Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya
قنفودة
Up to 21 civilians were reportedly killed in airstrikes on Benghazi. Three local families were reportedly killed as well as 11 Sudanese workers. While the majority of sources named the LNA as the belligerent, Libya Mostakbal claimed that is was conducted by a ‘Predator’ drone which isn’t part of the LNA air force. However, UAE…

Summary

Published
28 August 2016
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Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

LC039a

Location

Vicinity of Gulf Challenge School, Surt, Libya
بالقرب مدرسة خليج التحدي
Various sources reported the death of Mohammed al-Qadhafi as a result of a US airstrike on his family home in Sirte. Tek burns everything said on Facebook: "Mohammed al-Qadhafi, from Farajan of the family of Alwasa name of his mother, Haniyeh Faraj, lives in outside the planned district next to the Gulf Challenge School. Today,…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
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Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

LC039

Location

Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya
قنفودة
Various sources reported that between 20 and 31 civilians were killed and around 30 more injured as a result of airstrikes in Ganfouda. Two targets appear to have been struck – a residential home and a prison. While some sources claimed the attack was conducted by an unknown foreign drone, others blame the LNA or…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
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Incident Date

5 August 2016

Incident Code

LC038

Location

Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya
قنفودة
An elderly man was reportedly killed in an LNA airstrike in Ganfouda, according to Emhona who reported the event on Twitter. He didn’t provide any further details. The LNA itself reported that its MiG-21 and a MiG-23 targeted the Shura Council in Ganfouda which reported five of its fighters died in an official statement on…

Summary

Published
5 August 2016
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Incident Date

3 August 2016

Incident Code

LQ033

Location

Sirte, Surt, Libya
In an alleged friendly fire incident, a US strike in Sirte was reported to have accidentally killed 13 Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous members. According to Erem News, LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari commented on the incident: “Colonel Ahmed al-Mismari reported the killing of 13 GNA soldiers in a US aircraft by mistake, which was targeting elements of Daesh…

Summary

Published
3 August 2016
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Incident Date

2 August 2016

Incident Code

LC037

Location

Sayeda Khadija, Darnah, Libya
السيدة خديجة
Two civilians were injured when the LNA bombed an ammunition depot in Derna, according to local sources. Ean Libya reported that two civilians were wounded – and two houses destroyed – in airstrikes in Derna. Almmlka reported that the LNA targeted weapons caches and that the attack also injured civilians. It named the injured as…

Summary

Published
2 August 2016
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