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Libya

Following the 2011 toppling of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in a NATO-backed uprising, Libya has seen significant upheaval and civil conflict.

Airwars has documented allegations of civilian harm caused by all actors in Libya since 2011, while also conducting a number of major investigations into the conflict.

767 incidents involving Libya
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Recent Documentation

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Incident Date

31 May 2023

Incident Code

LC437

Location

Al Ajailat, An Nuqat al Khams, Libya
العجيلات
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. …

Summary

Published
31 May 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Actor
Government of National Accord, GNA/Turkish Military
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Incident Date

29 May 2023

Incident Code

LC436

Location

Ain Zara, Tarabulus, Libya
عين زارة
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
Actor
Government of National Accord, GNA/Turkish Military
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Incident Date

28 May 2023

Incident Code

LC435

Location

Al Maya, Al Zawiyah, Libya
الماية
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
Actor
Government of National Accord, GNA/Turkish Military
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Incident Date

25 May 2023

Incident Code

LC434a

Location

Al Saida Zainab, Al Zawiyah, Libya
السيدة زينب
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 …

Summary

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

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Airwars/Altinget investigation sparks Danish civilian harm review
31 Jan, 2024
Policy
Libya

Airwars/Altinget investigation sparks Danish civilian harm review

Danish Armed Forces ordered to conduct a formal review of the allegations
How we exposed secretive Danish role in Libyan civilian deaths
25 Jan, 2024
Investigations
Libya

How we exposed secretive Danish role in Libyan civilian deaths

A behind-the-scenes look at the investigation that forced an official Danish military review
Denmark admits role in NATO airstrikes on Libya that killed 14 civilians in 2011
25 Jan, 2024
Investigations, Policy
Libya

Denmark admits role in NATO airstrikes on Libya that killed 14 civilians in 2011

Exposing the Danish military's role in 2011 Libya airstrikes that killed 14 civilians
US airstrikes fell to historic low in 2022, despite fresh operations
1 Feb, 2023
Policy, Research
Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, Yemen

US airstrikes fell to historic low in 2022, despite fresh operations

The overall number of declared US airstrikes across all monitored military theatres fell from 441 in 2021 to a minimum of 36 in 2022
All Belligerents in Libya 2012 – Present Casualty and Strikes Map
6 Sept, 2022
Visualisation
Libya

All Belligerents in Libya 2012 – Present Casualty and Strikes Map

Mapping civilian casualties and strikes by all military actors
All Belligerents in Libya 2011 Casualty and Strikes Map
6 Sept, 2022
Visualisation
Libya

All Belligerents in Libya 2011 Casualty and Strikes Map

Mapping civilian casualties and strikes by all military actors in one year