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 550 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
835 – 1,218
Locally reported civilian deaths from all military actors in Libya actions in Libya.
550 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
335 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
113 – 159
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
126 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
551 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

14 March 2015

Incident Code

LC014a

Location

العسة, Al Assah, An Nuqat al Khams, Libya
On Saturday, March 14, 2015, one man named Alaa Belkhair was reported killed and six people were injured in an alleged Libyan National Army airstrike on Al Assah near Zuwara, northwestern Libya. Zuwara News wrote on Facebook that "an aeroplane just hit the Al-Assah area and resulted in the death of one man from Misurata…

Summary

Published
14 March 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2015

Incident Code

LC014

Location

درنة‎: شيحة, Shiha, Darnah, Libya
Various sources reported that Egyptian airstrikes hit two locations in East Derna. One strike hit the Bab Shiha neighbourhood, another one the former headquarters of the Jabal al-Akhdar Industrial Company. Local and international sources reported that seven civilians were killed, including three or four children and a woman – plus up to 50 members of…

Summary

Published
15 February 2015
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
17–21
Military Actor
LNA/UAE Military/Egyptian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 January 2015

Incident Code

LQ006

Location

بنغازي‎, port, Benghazi, Libya
Various sources reported that the LNA warplane attacked a trawler allegedly loaded with gasoline outside Benghazi. There were no reports of civilian harm. According to Sky News, a military official said that a Libyan aircraft belonging to the internationally recognised government (HoR) attacked a fishing boat carrying a shipment of gasoline to the port of…

Summary

Published
14 January 2015
Military Actor
Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident Date

5 January 2015

Incident Code

LC013

Location

درنة‎: ميناء درنه, Derna Port, Darnah, Libya
GNC planes allegedly bombed a Greek oil tanker killing a Greek engine cadet and a Romanian seaman on board, according to local media. Two Filipinos aboard were injured according to The Telegraph. Shorouk News reported a third person had been wounded. The Telegraph provided significant details on the event, reporting that a 29-year old Greek engine…

Summary

Published
5 January 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Libyan National Army, General National Congress (GNC)
View Incident

Incident Date

3 January 2015

Incident Code

LC012

Location

ميناء السدرة, Port Sidra, Surt, Libya
Alwasat reported armed clashes around the port of Sidra between fighters guarding the oil ports and the LNA which were accompanied by three LNA airstrikes. Alfakhiri claimed on Twitter that two children were killed in the attack but didn’t add further details.

Summary

Published
3 January 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident Date

3 January 2015

Incident Code

LC011

Location

مصراتة: مصراتة ميناء, Misurata Port, Misrata, Libya
According to various sources, LNA jets struck different positions in Misurata’s port, resulting in the injury of two civilians – reportedly employees at the port. Al Jazeera reported: The forces of the retired Libyan brigade General, Khalifa Haftar, announced responsibility for air strikes on the western port of Misurata on Saturday claiming that it was…

Summary

Published
3 January 2015
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Libyan National Army
View Incident