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

31 May 2023

Incident Code

LC437

Location

العجيلات, Al Ajailat, An Nuqat al Khams, Libya
One civilian named Ali Balkour was killed by alleged Government of National Unity (Turkish) drone strikes on the Al Shabika area in the city of Al Ajailat on May 31, 2023. A tweet from @aleasima_17 reported that three raids in the Al Shabika area resulted in the death of Ali Balkour inside a wine factory. Other…

Summary

Published
31 May 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
GNA/Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 May 2023

Incident Code

LC436

Location

عين زارة, Ain Zara, Tarabulus, Libya
A civilian man was injured by shelling between "Al Radaa" and "Brigade 444", one of which is loyal to the Government of National Unity, which struck his home in Ain Zara on May 29, 2023. A tweet from @ObservatoryLY reported that a house in Ain Zara was hit by a shell during clashes between "Al…

Summary

Published
29 May 2023
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
GNA/Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2023

Incident Code

LC435

Location

الماية, Al Maya, Al Zawiyah, Libya
As many as seven civilians were injured by alleged airstrikes carried out by the Government of National Unity on a port in Al Maya the evening of May 28, 2023. Between two and five members of the Coast Guard/Stability Support Agency were also killed in the airstrikes. A tweet from @rgowans reported that with the…

Summary

Published
28 May 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
3–7
Military actors reported killed
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
GNA/Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 May 2023

Incident Code

LC434a

Location

السيدة زينب, Al Saida Zainab, Al Zawiyah, Libya
A civilian was slightly injured, in addition to several personnel affiliated with the ministry, by declared Government of National Unity (GNU)/Turkish drone or air strikes near the Sayeda Zeinab area on May 25, 2023. A tweet from @wady_dynar quoted spokesman for the Ambulance and Emergency Service, Osama Ali, who reported that "a person was slightly injured as a…

Summary

Published
25 May 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
GNA/Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 July 2022

Incident Code

LC434

Location

زاوية الدهماني, Zawiyat Al Dahmani, Tarabulus, Libya
Civil casualties resulted from unknown shelling of the radio building in Zawiya al-Dahmani on July 22, 2022. @AnisAbdaljawad reported that shells fell next to the radio station, Zawiya al-Dahmani. @taqarifatnews quoted the spokesman for the Emergency and Ambulance Service, Osama Ali, who stated that the shelling next to the radio building caused casualties. No other additional…

Summary

Published
22 July 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Unknown
View Incident

Incident Date

22 July 2022

Incident Code

LC433

Location

السبعة, Al Sab’a, Tarabulus, Libya
One civilian was injured by unknown shrapnel in Al Sab’a next to the Al-Qadi market on July 22, 2022 @tkyroogklshytk and @Bbttmm010100 tweeted that an African worker was injured by shrapnel in their foot in Al Sab’a next to the Al-Qadi market. A tweet from @tkyroogklshytk reported that a shell fell on the house of…

Summary

Published
22 July 2022
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Unknown
View Incident