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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

1 June 2014

Incident Code

LC003

Location

قسم الهندسة الميكانيكية, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Benghazi, Libya
One or three civilians were wounded in three alleged LNA airstrikes in Benghazi, local media reported. Sources reported that strikes hit the following locations: Palace of the Crown in the Garyounis area. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering – previously called the Naji Infunas Comprehensive Institute. The February 17 camp in Qawarsheh GNA 204 battalion in Al…

Summary

Published
1 June 2014
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Military Actor
Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident Date

19 January 2014

Incident Code

LC002

Location

قويرة المال, Qweira al Mal, Sabha, Libya
Two children were reportedly killed in an air or artillery strike in Sabha in the south of Libya. A pro-Gaddafi page on Facebook identified the victims as the 14-year-old and a 17-years-old, and another victim at 14 years old, who lost his leg. It added that they were killed in the Hey al Hijara neighbourhood.…

Summary

Published
19 January 2014
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
General National Congress (GNC)
View Incident

Incident Date

11 August 2013

Incident Code

LC001

Location

الظهي, Al Dahir, Surt, Libya
Wissam Salem reported on Twitter that four people were killed and 15 more injured in an airstrike near Sirte. Salem didn’t elaborate if the victims were civilians or combattants. However, other sources claimed that the casualties resulted either from a car bomb or mortars. Wady Dynar reported that the explosions heard in Al Dahir in…

Summary

Published
11 August 2013
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

20 August 2020

Incident Code

Lib2011-141

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya
Five or more civilians were allegedly killed by a NATO airstrike on Sirte. Sirte martyrs posted the victims' names and said: "These heroes were martyred by the NATO bombing in Sirte on 20 Ramadan of the Nakba year corresponding to 08-20-2011." Al Gharib Al Ajli wrote: "Meanwhile, 5 NATO missiles collapsed on our house, 5…

Summary

Published
20 August 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 March 2019

Incident Code

Lib2011-038

Location

قاعدة طرابلس وبنغازي ومصراتة وسرت والوطية الجوية, Tripoli, Benghazi, Misurata, Sirte and Al Watyah airbase, Surt, Libya
Between 48 and 64 civilians were killed during the first day of NATO airstrikes in Libya, according to Gaddafi regime media. However, these numbers are heavily contested by non-partisan sources. Doualia wrote at the time: "Air strikes on several Libyan cities killed 48 people and wounded 150 in 'civilian areas,' a statement on Libyan state…

Summary

Published
19 March 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
48–64
Civilians reported injured
150
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
NATO forces
View Incident