Ansar al-Sharia (Derna)

Ansar Al-Sharia (Derna, Libya)
LeadersAbu Sufian bin Qumu (POW)
Dates of operation2011–2018
Active regionsEastern Libya (Cirenaica)
Part ofShura Council of Mujahideen in Derna[1]
AlliesAbu Salim Martyrs Brigade
Jaysh al-Islami al-Libi[1]
Opponents Islamic State
Battles and warsSecond 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

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References

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