Ansar al-Sharia (Derna) explained

Ansar Al-Sharia (Derna, Libya)
Native Name Lang:ar
War:Libyan Civil War
Active:2011–2018
Leaders:Abu Sufian bin Qumu (POW)
Allies:Abu Salim Martyrs Brigade
Jaysh al-Islami al-Libi[1]
Area:Eastern Libya (Cirenaica)
Partof:Shura Council of Mujahideen in Derna
Battles:Second Libyan Civil War

Ansar al-Sharia is the Derna based branch of a larger Libyan group; the branch is headed by Abu Sufian bin Qumu.[2] In 2011 bin Qumu became the leader of a band of fighters in his hometown of Derna during the 2011 Libyan civil war.[3] The group was reported as disbanding itself following the U.S. Consulate attack in Benghazi[4] however by late 2013 the group had re-emerged in the city as a branch of the Benghazi-based Ansar al-Sharia under the slogan "A step toward building the Islamic state".[5]

In December 2014, Ansar al-Sharia joined the Abu Salim Martyrs Brigade and Jaysh al-Islami al-Libi in an umbrella organisation called the Majlis Shura al-Mujahidin Derna (Derna Mujahidin Consultative Council). The group has been involved in fighting with the forces of General Khalifa Haftar in the Second Libyan Civil War.[1]

Ansar al-Sharia and the Majlis Shura al-Mujahidin Derna have opposed the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant presence in Derna.[1]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Rise and Decline of Ansar al-Sharia in Libya. Hudson Institute. 6 April 2015. 8 April 2015.
  2. News: Know Your Ansar al-Sharia. Aaron Zelin. Foreign Policy. 21 September 2012. 10 January 2014.
  3. News: WikiLeaks:Guantanamo detainee is now Libyan rebel leader. Holly Watt. The Daily Telegraph. 26 April 2011. 10 January 2014.
  4. News: Libyan army tackles rogue militias as two disband. Marie-Louise Gumuchian and Peter Graff. Reuters. 23 September 2012. 10 January 2014.
  5. News: Slow death of Derna. Aya Elbrqawi. Magharebia . 28 February 2014. 1 March 2014.