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

24 November 2015

Incident Code

LC021

Location

Msallata, Marqab, Libya
مسلاتة
Five civilians died, and up to 16 more were wounded in an airstrike or artillery attack on a checkpoint in Msallata near Khoms, local media reported. According to Reda Issa, “Misurata Central Hospital received the bodies of five martyrs who were killed by the treacherous bombing Tuesday morning at the Maslata gate.” Abdulwahab Mlitan also reported…

Summary

Published
24 November 2015
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Incident Date

8 November 2015

Incident Code

LQ017

Location

Nairouz family resort, Benghazi, Libya
بنغازي‎
LNA strikes reportedly targeted alleged terrorists in Benghazi in the Sabri, and fish market areas and at Marissa port. Al Arabiya accompanied a helicopter that took part in the raids with a camera. According to Rihab, “the Libyan air force on Sunday evening [Nov 8th] bombed sites belonging to the organisation of ISIS in the…

Summary

Published
8 November 2015
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Incident Date

29 October 2015

Incident Code

LQ016

Location

Al Dahir, Surt, Libya
الظهير
Unidentified warplanes reportedly carried out multiple airstrikes in the east, south and west of Sirte at midnight, local media reported. According to Akhbar Alaan, “unidentified warplanes launched air strikes on the Libyan city of Sirte targeting areas occupied by an ISIS in the south and west of the city, eyewitnesses said.” There were no known…

Summary

Published
29 October 2015
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Incident Date

19 October 2015

Incident Code

LC020

Location

Al Leithi, Benghazi, Libya
اليثى
Five people, including children, were killed by a shell in Leithi in eastern Benghazi, according to Russia Today. Russia Today reported: “‘The initial result of the shell that fell on Al-Leithi area is 4 dead and four wounded, mostly children under the age of 10, and there are critical cases,’ said the hospital of Al-Jalaa…

Summary

Published
19 October 2015
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Incident Date

12 October 2015

Incident Code

LQ015

Location

Leithi, Benghazi, Libya
بنغازي‎
Various social media sources reported airstrikes in the Bouatni, Leithi and Al-Nahr areas of Benghazi in response to artillery shelling by alleged ISIS members. One source – @hamza27990139 – claimed an apartment building was hit but didn’t say if there was civilian harm. They said that “the Libyan airforce bombed an ISIS position in an apartment building”.

Summary

Published
12 October 2015
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Incident Date

1 October 2015

Incident Code

LQ014

Location

Benghazi: port, Benghazi, Libya
بنغازي‎
Various sources reported that the LNA bombed three ships said to have been trying to deliver weapons to alleged terrorists in Benghazi. According to Libya’s Channel, “Maj. Mohammed Al-Hijazi said that the Air Force bombed three ships last night headed from Misrata Port carrying ammunition and fighters destined for the city of Benghazi to support…

Summary

Published
1 October 2015
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