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]
| Ansar Al-Sharia (Derna, Libya) | |
|---|---|
 The flag of the group | |
| Leaders | Abu Sufian bin Qumu (POW) |
| Dates of operation | 2011–2018 |
| Active regions | Eastern Libya (Cirenaica) |
| Part of | Shura Council of Mujahideen in Derna[1] |
| Allies | Abu Salim Martyrs Brigade Jaysh al-Islami al-Libi[1] |
| Opponents |  Islamic State |
| Battles and wars | Second Libyan Civil War |
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
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "The Rise and Decline of Ansar al-Sharia in Libya". Hudson Institute. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ^ Aaron Zelin (21 September 2012). "Know Your Ansar al-Sharia". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
- ^ Holly Watt (26 April 2011). "WikiLeaks:Guantanamo detainee is now Libyan rebel leader". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
- ^ Marie-Louise Gumuchian and Peter Graff (23 September 2012). "Libyan army tackles rogue militias as two disband". Reuters. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
- ^ Aya Elbrqawi (28 February 2014). "Slow death of Derna". Magharebia. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
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