General information
Type of Incompatibility: Government
Comment on Type of Incompatibility: The conflict in Libya became active against the backdrop of the Arab Spring. The National Transitional Council (NTC) quickly expressed their intent to engage the Libyan government in conflict with the ultimate goal of ousting the current leadership, i.e. ousting Gaddafi.
Date of first stated goal of incompatibility: 2011-02-26
Comment on date of first stated goals of incompatibility: Libya's former justice minister, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, formed a transitional government that would lead the country for three months to prepare for elections.
Jalil, who quit Moamer Kadhafi's regime in protests of the killing of demonstrators, said the transitional government includes military as well as civilian representatives. He further stated that "We will not stop until we liberate all of this country".
Date of first use of armed force: 2011-08-27
Comment on first use of armed force: At least 10 people were killed as NTC forces clashed with Gaddafi loyalists near the 32 Brigade base just south of the capital Tripoli.
Date of first battle related death: 2011-02-28
Comment on first battle related death: There had been violent episodes prior to this event; this was however the first instance of violence after NTC stated their goal of ousting Gaddafi.
Date of conflict reached 25 battle releated deaths: 2011-09-12
Comment on conflict reached 25 battle releated deaths: Gaddafi loyalists attacked a refinery near Ras Lanuf, killing at least 15 guards and wounding two. The attack appeared to have been an attempt to stop Libya's new rulers from reviving the oil-based economy.
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1996
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2011
Primary Parties: Government of Libya - Forces of Muammar Gaddafi, NTC
Secondary Warring Parties Side A: Government of Zimbabwe (Rhodesia)
Dimension: Internationalized intrastate
Comment on Dimension: A number of countries was entangled in the Libyan conflict eventhough none of them stated that they did so to support one of the sides in the conflict. A coalition of states under NATO leadership enforced the no fly zone which was stipulated in UN resolution 1973. The resolution was passed, following intense debate, on 17 March 2011, five countries; Brazil, China, Germany, India and the Russian Federation, abstained from the vote; the resolution was therefore not stopped by a veto. The enforcement of the no fly zone was quickly initiated, France, a vocal supporter of the no fly zone was in the air shortly after the resolution had passed. The mission of administrating the no fly zone was taken by NATO, and under NATO leadership nineteen states participated in the campaign, the states were; Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates. United Kingdom, United States.
Since none of the nineteen states shared the incompatibility, replacing Gaddafi with NTC, rather the mission was centred on minimizing the civilian casualties, the enforcement cannot be seen as secondary warring, but is deemed to be third party involvement with a mandate from the United Nations.
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 6390 |
| Best | 3874 |
| Low | 3827 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2012
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1 |
| Best | 1 |
| Low | 1 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2013
Primary Parties: Government of Libya - ASL
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 61 |
| Best | 31 |
| Low | 17 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2014
Primary Parties: Government of Libya - Forces of the House of Representatives, Zintan Military Council
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 288 |
| Best | 286 |
| Low | 286 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2015
Primary Parties: Government of Libya - Forces of the House of Representatives
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 190 |
| Best | 156 |
| Low | 156 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2016
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 15 |
| Best | 15 |
| Low | 15 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2017
Primary Parties: Government of Libya - Forces of Khalifa al-Ghawil, Forces of the House of Representatives, PFLL
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 337 |
| Best | 308 |
| Low | 308 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2018
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2019
Primary Parties: Government of Libya - Forces of the House of Representatives
Secondary Warring Parties Side B: Government of Sudan, Government of United Arab Emirates
Dimension: Internationalized intrastate
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1664 |
| Best | 1588 |
| Low | 1381 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2020
Primary Parties: Government of Libya - Forces of the House of Representatives
Secondary Warring Parties Side A: Government of Turkey
Dimension: Internationalized intrastate
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 784 |
| Best | 668 |
| Low | 564 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2021
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 10 |
| Best | 7 |
| Low | 7 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2022
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 5 |
| Best | 2 |
| Low | 2 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2023
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2 |
| Best | 2 |
| Low | 2 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Conflict Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1996 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2011 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The conflict in Libya was active during the first half of 2011 with severe fighting throughout Libya.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The number of fatalities caused by the conflict in Libya was subject to much debate during the summer of 2011, several summary figures were produced with a considerable span between the higher and lower estimates. Throughout the active months of the conflict the Libyan state media would produce fatality figures from NATO operations that were significantly higher than any other estimates. This bias has been taken into account when estimating deaths in the Libyan conflict. Further summary figures have been used with caution since it is hard to determine under what circumstances the fatalities have occurred. Having noted those conditions the number presented might seem low, lower than some summaries presented by various NGO’s, this discrepancy is not due to errors within the coding, but rather the strict definitions that UCDP adhere to.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: African Union, NATO, Russian Federation and Qatar
Comment on Third Party Involvement: In Libya the international community was directly involved. The developments led to rapid action by the UN, propelled mainly by France. The approach built on the idea of protecting the civilian population from the government’s indiscriminate actions. Among the UN-authorized measures were imposing a no-fly zone, based on Security Council Resolution 1973 of 17 March. Nineteen states took part in its enforcement, which was, after the first few days, officially led by NATO. The nineteen states were; Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates. United Kingdom, United States. Primarily, NATO bombed the Libyan air force and artillery, aiming to prevent them from attacking and shelling civilians and the rebel forces. Furthermore, the Libyan army’s headquarter was bombed, significantly reducing the army’s commanding structure. The rebels also received direct military and financial support from Qatar, Turkey and, to a lesser degree, Sudan. Overall, the international involvement greatly facilitated the rebel’s armed struggle.
In June, the Russian chess master and president of the international chess federation Kirsan Ilyumzhinov was sent on several official missions to Libya by Russia. He met with Gaddafi and with the rebels, without any substantial outcome. This effort came weeks after NATO bombing had started, and appeared not to be coordinated with NATO. The regional organisations were initially hesitant and internally divided, concerning the no-fly zone, the African Union (AU) had tried to mediate in Libya, but since none of their proposals included Gaddafi’s departure they were flatly rejected by NTC.
Victory: YES
Victory side: a
Comment on Victory: When, in Late August, Tripoli was captured by NTC forces the governmental power changed hands, from Gaddafi to NTC. This did in fact result in a victory for the rebel side as they assumed the governmental power they had clearly stated in their incompatibility that they were in pursue of.
The newly installed government of Libya achieved victory when the last city to host Gaddafi loyalist was taken, his hometown Sirte. When Sirte was conquered Gaddafi himself was found, in the tumultuous situation that followed he was shot and killed. The killing of Gaddafi and the taking of Sirte marked the victory for the Libyan government in the conflict with the forces loyal to col. Muammar Gaddafi.
Comment on Victorious Side: As Tripoli was taken on 22 August the rebel side, NTC claimed victory in that conflict.
When on 20 October Gaddafi was apprehended and the last bastion of resistance to the newly installed government comprised by the former rebels, NTC, was liberated the government of Libya was victorious in the conflict regarding governmental power between the Libya government and forces loyal to col. Muammar Gaddafi.
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: Victory
Date of termination: 2011-10-20
Comment on Termination: When, in Late August, Tripoli was captured by NTC forces the governmental power changed hands, from Gaddafi to NTC. This did in fact result in a victory for the rebel side as they assumed the governmental power they had clearly stated in their incompatibility that they were in pursue of.
The newly installed government of Libya achieved victory when the last city to host Gaddafi loyalist was taken, his hometown Sirte. When Sirte was conquered Gaddafi himself was found, in the tumultuous situation that followed he was shot and killed. The killing of Gaddafi and the taking of Sirte marked the victory for the Libyan government in the conflict with the forces loyal to col. Muammar Gaddafi.
Comment on Termination Date: When on 20 October Gaddafi was apprehended and the last bastion of resistance to the newly installed government comprised by the former rebels, NTC, was liberated the government of Libya was victorious in the conflict regarding governmental power between the Libya government and forces loyal to col. Muammar Gaddafi.
2012 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2013 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2014 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The conflict over government in Libya was restarted in 2014, after having been inactive since 2011. Since the ouster of President Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the country has characterized by ongoing violence between different militias fighting for power.
In late 2013, the General National Congress (GNC), which has been in power since the ouster of President Muammar Gaddafi, extended its mandate to December 2014. This was widely criticized and demonstrations followed. The protests prompted the GNC to announce elections in June 2014. A new parliament was elected, named House of Representatives, which shortly afterwards moved to Tobruk in eastern Libya, instead of Benghazi as previously had been decided.
The move was rejected by members of the former GNC who formed a new government in the capital of Tripoli on 24 August. This in turn sparked clashes between forces loyal to the new Tripoli government and the Zintan Brigades, which supported the government in Tobruk. Violent clashes took place mainly in and around the capital during the autumn. According to UCDP definitions, the group controlling the capital is to be seen as the government. Therefore, the government in Tripoli was seen as the Government of Libya in 2014.
There were also clashes between forces loyal to the retired General Haftar, which formed the Libya National Army, and the new Tripoli government. The Libya National Army formally aligned itself to the Tobruk government in October 2014.
Because of the violence during the summer, UN staff withdrew from the country. The US embassy, as well as several other embassies, closed and the staff evacuated in July.
UNHCR estimated that around 400 000 people were internally displaced by the fighting and other violence in various areas of the country.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2015 Conflict Archive
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: No or Low Activity
Date of termination: 2015-12-31
2016 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2017 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: No or Low Activity
Date of termination: 2017-12-31
2018 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2019 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2020 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2021 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2022 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2023 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
