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

13 June 2016

Incident Code

LC033

Location

Derna, Darnah, Libya
درنة‎
According to local media reports, a father and his son were killed in an LNA airstrike south of Derna while driving in their car to go to the bank. Alwasat reported: “A medical source in the city of Derna confirmed that a man and his son were killed by Libyan air force shelling of a…

Summary

Published
13 June 2016
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Incident Date

9 June 2016

Incident Code

LC032

Location

Al Jabal Company, Darnah, Libya
شركة الجبل
At least three and as many as six civilians – most of them children – died in airstrikes on Derna, according to sources on the ground. LNA reported that its MiG-23 carried out air raids near the Western gates of Derna. While the LNA report didn’t mention civilian casualties, local sources reported between three and five…

Summary

Published
9 June 2016
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Incident Date

2 June 2016

Incident Code

LC031

Location

Al Qawarishah, Benghazi, Libya
بنغازي‎
An LNA MiG-21 carried out a series of airstrikes in Al-Shajar Street and hit one target near the Gwaresh buildings according to its social media. A single Twitter source added that LNA forces had hit a civilian house with barrel bombs, claiming that “Haftar Air targets more civilian houses with explosive barrels.” There were no…

Summary

Published
2 June 2016
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Incident Date

29 May 2016

Incident Code

LQ030

Location

Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya
بنغازي‎
LNA fighter jets targeted a vessel west of Qamins 25 km west of Benghazi according to the official LNA Facebook page. Social media sources added that the LNA also launched raids on Qawarsheh, Bosnib and Sabri. The status of any civilian crew onboard the vessel is unknown. 

Summary

Published
29 May 2016
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Incident Date

19 May 2016

Incident Code

LC030

Location

Al-Wushka, Surt, Libya
الوشكة
According to various local sources a GNA/Misurata Air Force airstrike hit a car while targeting ISIS forces. Two members of the al-Mazoughi family, a man and his wife, were reportedly severely injured. The incident took place near the villages Al-Washka, Al-Qadihah and Zamzam. In addition, ten ISIS members were reported killed in the strike, including…

Summary

Published
19 May 2016
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Incident Date

23 April 2016

Incident Code

LC029

Location

Al Kassarat, Darnah, Libya
القصارات
Three civilians including one woman died and up to seven more people were wounded in strikes on Derna, according to local media. The source Alnabaa reported “12 raids”, while some other sources reported that barrel bombs were dropped. LNA posted a video of its forces dropping a bomb on a ‘terrorist ammunition store’ in the sports…

Summary

Published
23 April 2016
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