Ansar al-Sharia (Benghazi)
| Ansar al-Sharia in Libya | |
|---|---|
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أنصار الشريعة بليبيا Participant in the Factional violence in Libya (2011–14) and the Second Libyan Civil War |
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Logo & flag of Ansar al-Sharia
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| Active | June 2012–present |
| Ideology |
Islamism Salafist Jihadism |
| Leaders |
Abu Khalid al Madani |
| Area of operations |
Benghazi Other cities in Eastern Libya |
| Strength | 4,500–5,000+ |
| Part of |
Ansar al-Sharia Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council of Mujahideen in DernaAjdabiya Shura Council |
| Originated as |
February 17th Martyrs Brigade Abu Obayda bin al-Jarah Brigade Malik Brigade |
| Allies | |
| Opponents |
Al-Saiqa (Libya) Operation Dignity coalition |
| Battles and wars | Second Libyan Civil War |
Abu Khalid al Madani
Ansar al-Sharia in Libya (ASL, English: Supporters of Islamic Law) is a Salafist Islamist militia group that advocates the implementation of strict Sharia law across Libya. Ansar al-Sharia came into being in 2011, during the Libyan Civil War. Until January 2015, it was led by its "Amir", Muhammad al-Zahawi. The organization has deliberately targeted both Libyan and American civilians and took part in the 2012 Benghazi attack. The group has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, Turkey, the UAE, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Ansar al-Sharia was formed during the Libyan Civil War and rose to prominence after the killing of Muammar Gaddafi. Made up of former rebels from the Abu Obayda Bin Aljarah Brigade, Malik Brigade and February 17th Martyrs Brigade and many more, the Salafist militia initially made their name by posting videos of themselves fighting in the Battle of Sirte, the final battle in the war.
Their first major public appearance occurred on 7 June 2012, when they led a rally of as many as 200 pickup trucks mounted with artillery along Benghazi’s Tahrir Square and demanded the imposition of Sharia law. According to the New York Times, "Western diplomats who watched said they were stunned by the scale and weaponry of the display."
The leader of Ansar al-Sharia, Sheikh Muhammad al-Zahawi, later gave an interview on a local TV station forbidding participation in Libya’s first post-civil war parliamentary elections on the grounds that they were un-Islamic. The militia went on to provide security to some public property in eastern Libya, including Benghazi's Al Jala Hospital. The group is reportedly the military arm of Al-Dawa wa Al-Islah, a charitable organization.
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Wikipedia