Ajaylat Explained

Official Name:Ajaylat
Native Name:العجيلات
Settlement Type:Town
Pushpin Map:Libya
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Libya
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Libya
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Tripolitania
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Nuqat al Khams
Unit Pref:Imperial
Population Total:4,878
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone:EET
Utc Offset:+2
Coordinates:32.7569°N 12.3761°W
Registration Plate Type:License Plate Code
Registration Plate:41

Ajaylat (Arabic: العجيلات al ʿajaylat) is the name of a region and small city located in the Nuqat al Khams district of Libya. It is located roughly 80 kilometers west of Tripoli. From 1983 to 1988, the region was a district of Libya with the city as its capital.[1]

Tribal groups

The regional tribal groups (qabā’il)[2] are currently subdivided into two primary tribal federations or sections. The first of these is known as (1) Gehat al-Wadi (جهة الوادي) Aulād Hamid, which consists of; Al-e’rīshāt (العريشات); Al-ma’īzāt (المعيزات); Ul-qauādī (القواضى); and Al-hersheh (الهرشة).[3]

The second tribal federation is known as the (2) Aulād Rāshid'اولاد راشد', which consists of; Aulād Al-Sheikh; and Aulād Rāshid. Aulad Al-Shikh (اولاد الشيخ) which consists of Aulad Mousa (اولاد موسى) Aulad Bozed (اولاد ابوزيد) Al-Mashara (المشارة), and Al-Draba (الدرباء).

The total population in the minţaqa (area) Al-A’jēlāt is estimated at 100,000 individuals scattered among those tribes.

Economy

The Ajaylat region is most famous for the cultivation of palm trees, olives and various types of vegetables. There is also a medical center.

Libyan civil war

On 14 August 2011, anti-Gaddafi forces fighting in the Libyan Civil War claimed they had taken Ajaylat.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Districts of Libya. Statoids.com. 7 November 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101129045155/http://statoids.com/uly.html. 29 November 2010 . live.
  2. القبائل tribe - Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic p.868
  3. Aulād means Descendants – Ibid p.1285