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

7 August 2015

Incident Code

LQ009

Location

port, Darnah, Libya
درنة‎
Local sources reported that the LNA bombed a boat carrying ‘gunmen and weapons’ near Derna. There were, however, no reports of civilian harm. According to Ashoruq, “A plane belonging to the Libyan air force at the Tobruk base bombed a boat carrying gunmen and ammunition off the port of Derna, Libya’s central gate reported Friday.…

Summary

Published
7 August 2015
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Incident Date

1 August 2015

Incident Code

LC019a

Location

Ajdabiya Vocational Training Center, Al Wahat, Libya
اجدابيا: مبنى التدريب المهني
Between two and four people were reportedly killed in an alleged LNA airstrike on Ajdabiya. Belreish said that "two people were killed and two Syrian workers were injured in a marble workshop. They were injured by shrapnel from aerial bombardment." Tariq Gibrel wrote that two Syrians were killed, two injured and two Chadian injured. Amrajaa…

Summary

Published
1 August 2015
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Incident Date

23 July 2015

Incident Code

LC019

Location

Republic Hospital, Benghazi, Libya
بنغازي‎: مستشفى الجمهورية
According to Russia Today, “medical sources in the city of Benghazi said that two people died and ten were wounded on Thursday (July 23rd) in clashes in the city centre between army forces and Islamist militants.” Ewan Libya reported that one civilian was killed after a shell fell on the Ben Younis area. Local sources…

Summary

Published
23 July 2015
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Incident Date

19 July 2015

Incident Code

LQ008

Location

port, Benghazi, Libya
بنغازي‎
Several sources reported LNA planes hitting two boats allegedly belonging to Ansar Al-Sharia loaded with weapons and ammunition. One of the boats sunk, the other one was damaged. Several outlets including Iran Arabic Radio and Sputnik Arabic reported comments from an LNA spokesperson, who said the attacks targeted two ships, both carrying weapons. Air Force…

Summary

Published
19 July 2015
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Incident Date

2 July 2015

Incident Code

LC018c

Location

Nofaliya, Surt, Libya
النوفلية
Three civilians from one family were reported killed in Nofaliya, Sirte in an LNA or NATO nation airstrike. Jalferjani posted on Twitter that "The Al Diab family house was shelled by a NATO aircraft and two children and their parent were killed in the city of Sirte." Presslibya said that the LNA had bombed in…

Summary

Published
2 July 2015
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Incident Date

20 June 2015

Incident Code

LC018b

Location

Nofaliya, Sirte, Libya
النوفلية
On Saturday, June 20, 2015, one civilian was reportedly killed in an alleged General National Congress/Libya Dawn airstrike on a power station in Nofaliya, in the Sirte district of Libya. Russeifa News reported in a post on Facebook that Libya Dawn military aircraft strikes the electricity building in the Nofaliya area, resulting the death of…

Summary

Published
20 June 2018
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