The Shura Council of Mujahideen in Derna (Arabic: مجلس شورى مجاهدين درنة) was a coalition of Islamist militias that advocated the implementation of Sharia law within Derna, Libya. Besides seeking to implement strict social mores in Derna, the alliance was known for its open opposition to Khalifa Haftar[4] and the Libyan affiliates of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).[5]
| Shura Council of Mujahideen in Derna | |
|---|---|
| مجلس شورى مجاهدين درنة | |
 | |
| Leaders | Salim Derby (unknown–2015) † Yusuf Bin Tahir Nasser Akr † Ateyah Al-Shaari (unknown–2018) |
| Dates of operation | 12 December 2014 – 11 May 2018 (3 years, 5 months, 4 weeks and 2 days)[1][2][3] |
| Active regions | Derna |
| Ideology | Islamism Jihadism |
| Opponents |  ISIL Operation Dignity coalition |
| Battles and wars | Libyan Civil War (2014–present) |
On 11 May 2018, the Shura Council was dissolved as result of reversals during the Battle of Derna (2018), and replaced by the Derna Protection Force.[1]
Background
editThe Shura Council of Mujahideen in Derna was created by former Libyan Islamic Fighting Group member Salim Derby on 12 December 2014.[6] The group frequently clashed with ISIL in Derna in disputes over power and resources in the city. In June 2015, ISIL gunmen killed senior Shura Council leader Nasser Akr. The group responded by declaring a Jihad against ISIL. Salim Derby was killed on 11 June 2015,[7] as a result of the ensuing clashes.[5]
The Shura Council was known to have close ties to the militant Egyptian al-Mourabitoun network of Hesham Ashmawy.[8]
Members
editAt its founding, the council included the following groups:
- Jaysh al-Islam (Libya)[9]
- Abu Salim Martyrs Brigade
Further reading
edit- Truitte, Kevin. "The Derna Mujahideen Shura Council: A Revolutionary Islamist Coalition in Libya" (PDF). www.universiteitleiden.nl. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
References
edit- ^ a b "Derna Shura Council dissolves into Derna Security Force | the Libya Observer".
- ^ "Libya: Derna Shura Council dissolved into Derna Security Force". 12 May 2018.
- ^ "New video message from Majlis Shūrā al-Mujāhidīn Darnah's Aṭīyah Sa'īd al-Shā'rī: "After Ḥaftar .. Darnah Protection Force"". jihadology.net. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "War in Libya and its Futures: State of Play - Islamist Forces (2)". Red (Team) Analysis. 26 January 2015.
- ^ a b "Al-Qaida-linked militants attack IS affiliate in Libya". Associated Press. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
- ^ "Osama Bin Laden's Files: The Arab Revolutions". Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
- ^ "Veteran jihadists killed by Islamic State's 'province' in Derna, Libya | FDD's Long War Journal". 12 June 2015.
- ^ Al-Arabi, Mohamed (13 February 2018). "فيديو يكشف علاقة إرهابيي درنة بمطلوبين لمصر" [Video reveals ties between Derna's terrorists and Egypt wanted militants]. Al Arabiya. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ Varvelli, Arturo; Pektas, Serafettin; Leman, Johan (2019). "The Libyan Jihadist Outlook". Militant Jihadism. Vol. 6. Leuven University Press. pp. 41–58. ISBN 9789462701991. JSTOR j.ctvq2vzmt.6.