All Belligerents in Libya, 2011
Following the start of the Arab Spring in 2011, Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s regime was toppled in a NATO-backed uprising, leading to significant upheaval and fighting between pro-Gaddaffi forces and rebel groups.
Airwars documented hundreds of allegations of civilian harm by all military actors in Libya in the 2011 war, and has conducted a number of major investigations into the subject.
Image:
Mourners in Majer, Libya in 2011 following a NATO airstrike which killed at least 34 civilians, according to multiple reports. Image courtesy of Sidney Kwiram/ Human Rights Watch
Airwars estimate of civilian deaths
1,166 – 2,519
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 213 separate alleged incidents.
95 – 128
children likely killed
51 – 79
women likely killed
1,050 – 1,610
likely injured
444
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 0 separate incidents of civilian harm.
0
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
1,826 – 3,332
Locally reported civilian deaths from all military actors in Libya actions in Libya.
213 separate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
1,166 – 2,519
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by all military actors in Libya.
117 separate alleged incidents
Weak
594 – 699
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
86 separate alleged incidents
Contested
66 – 114
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
10 separate alleged incidents
Discounted
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
0 separate alleged incidents
216 incidents
Incident Date
16 December 2011
Incident Code
Lib2011-218
Location
Tripoli, Tarabulus, Libya
طرابلس
One civilian was killed and three others were injured in Tripoli on December 16, 2011 when their car was ambushed and attacked by nine people armed with Kalashnikov rifles. According to the UN Report Source Page 82, a survivor of the attack said that he was in a car with four friends when their car …
Summary
Published
16 December 2020
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Actor
Libyan rebel forces
Incident Date
14 December 2011
Incident Code
Lib2011-217
Location
Tripoli, Tarabulus, Libya
طرابلس
One man was killed in Tripoli by rebel forces after the rebels tried to confiscate his car and he refused. According to UN Report Source Page 82, the rebels had approached a member of the Tripoli brigade to try to confiscate their car, claiming it was government property, but left after negotiations without the car. …
Summary
Published
14 December 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Actor
Libyan rebel forces
Incident Date
16 November 2011
Incident Code
Lib2011-216
Location
Tawergha, Misrata, Libya
تاورغاء
One man died after being severely beaten while being held in custody by the Independence Brigade rebels in Tawrga’a on November 16, 2011 according to UN Report Source Page 82. According to another man that was detained with him and was released, the man was beaten until he lost consciousness for nearly two days. He …
Summary
Published
16 November 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Actor
Libyan rebel forces
Incident Date
15 November 2011
Incident Code
Lib2011-206
Location
Tajoura, Tarabulus, Libya
تاجوراء
At least one man died from injuries sustained during his detention in a rebel-controlled facility in mid-November 2011 in Tajoura according to the UN Report Source Page 82. A reported member of Gaddafi’s security agency was arrested at his father’s house on October 17, 2011 by rebels who did not have an arrest warrant and …
Summary
Published
15 November 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Actor
Libyan rebel forces
Incident Date
13 November 2011
Incident Code
Lib2011-215
Location
Sirte, Surt, Libya
سرت
Between three and five men were killed in Sirte on November 13, 2011 when they were executed by rebels. A video posted by Echorouk Online on YouTube shows the bodied of at least three dead men and many others with weapons surrounding them.
Summary
Published
13 November 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Actor
Libyan rebel forces
Incident Date
2 November 2011
Incident Code
Lib2011-213
Location
Misurata, Misrata, Libya
مصراتة
One man died after being severely beaten while being held in custody by the Independence Brigade rebels in Tawrga’a on November 2, 2011 according to UN Report Source Page 82. A former Qadhafi soldier died on November 2, 2011 after being transferred to a hospital in Misrata. An initial autopsy report obtained by the victim’s …
Summary
Published
2 November 2011
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Actor
Libyan rebel forces
31 Jan, 2024
Policy
Libya
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Investigations
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Ten years after the Libyan revolution, victims wait for justice
NATO members still refuse to discuss potential civilian harm from their strikes a decade after intervening against Gaddafi.