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

23 May 2015

Incident Code

LC017b

Location

Zaafran, Surt, Libya
زعفران
A father and one or two of his daughters were reported killed as a result of an alleged GNC/Libya Dawn airstrike on Sirte. Most sources claim that a father with his two daughters were killed in an airstrike on their family home. However, some sources reported that only one of his daughters died and they were in…

Summary

Published
23 May 2015
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Incident Date

14 May 2015

Incident Code

LC017a

Location

Al Salam, Benghazi, Libya
السلام
Between seven and eight people, most of them children were reported killed in an LNA airstrike on the Al Salam neighbourhood of Benghazi. Alwasat News wrote: "Eight people were killed, including seven children, when a rocket hit a residential area in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on Thursday (May 14, 2015), a Reuters reporter…

Summary

Published
14 May 2015
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Incident Date

11 May 2015

Incident Code

LC017

Location

Tobruk, Al Butnan, Libya
طبرق
According to international and local sources, a Turkish ship was hit by both airstrikes and artillery shelling from the LNA. A deputy captain was reportedly killed in the attack, and another crew member injured. The incident took place 16km off the coast from Tobruk on the way to Derna. Al Jazeera quoted the second captain…

Summary

Published
11 May 2015
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Incident Date

5 May 2015

Incident Code

LC016

Location

Darnah, Darnah, Libya
درنة
One child died in an alleged LNA airstrike on Darnah, according to local media. The Libya Observer reported: “A baby from the Al-Harir family was killed in a dignity operation airstrike in Darnah. The airstrike targeted the Shabia apartment buildings causing extensive damage to Musa Al-Harir’s apartment and destroying cars parked on the street below.”…

Summary

Published
5 May 2015
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Incident Date

24 April 2015

Incident Code

LQ007a

Location

Sirte, Surt, Libya
سرت‎
Dawa Alhaq reported a GNC/Libya Dawn airstrike in Sirte likely resulting in civilian harm: “A military aircraft belonging to the ‘Dawn of Libya’ militia, backed by Libya’s brothers who control Tripoli, launched air strikes on Thursday night on sites in the city of Sirte. ‘A Libyan warplane launched several air strikes on the sites of…

Summary

Published
24 April 2015
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Incident Date

1 April 2015

Incident Code

LQ007

Location

Zintan, Airport, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Libya
الزنتان
According to several local sources, GNC/Libya Dawn planes bombed Zintan airport as well as the nearby village of Rujban. Most sources reported material damage, though there was no mention of civilian harm. Zintan Airport spokesperson Omar Maatouk, speaking to Libya Herald, said that the front of the airport building was damaged by the seven shells…

Summary

Published
1 April 2015
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