Ansar alsharia blamed for tunisia killings prime minister says hardline salafist movement was behind murder of politicians chokri belaid. Ansar alsharia blamed for tunisia killings news al jazeera. The group has initiated several violent protests, including the september 2012 attack on the u. Ansar al sharia tunisia releases video of freed benghazi. Why the alqaeda linked group blamed for 2012 benghazi. Libyas ansar alsharia has come under the spotlight in recent weeks following the launch of attacks against the group in benghazi.
Ansar alsharia in libya asl was a violent salafist group that was active in libya from 2012 to 2017. Ramzi explains that ansar alsharias activities within sousse are completely funded from within the country by donations from individuals with jobs. There are a number of reasons why tunisians joined the islamic state in iraq, syria, and libya. Ansar al sharia included two separate organizations. Former cia director david petraeus is expected to tell house and senate committees friday that ansar al sharia was suspected in the u. Press release the arabic network for human rights information anhri condemns kairouans security bodies rearrest of seifeddine rais, ansar al sharia spokesman, on tuesday july 29. Mar 11, 2015 soon thereafter, on 15 may, a facebook page named ansar al sharia in tunisia popped up, at the same time as an announcement was made regarding a scheduled conference on 21 may. In mid2015, bin hassine was tried, found guilty, and sentenced in absentia by a tunisian criminal court to 50 years in prison for his role in terrorist activities.
Ansar alsharia ast, established during april 2011, is the most pronounced jihadist organization in tunisia with a supportive ideology to that of alqaeda. Major libyan jihadist group declares allegiance to isis. The collapse of the group is a victory for the libya national. The benghazi link to tunisias assassinations al jazeera america. How ansar alsharia in tunisias message framing primed its. Ramzi promises only five minutes, though the conversation lasts 15.
Meeting tunisias ansar alsharia the washington institute. Ansar alsharia is the largest armed jihadist group in libya with thousands of fighters, including foreign fighters from tunisia, algeria, and other african countries. The group sought to transform libya into an islamic state governed in accordance with sharia islamic law. Crackdown on radical islamists tests tunisias stability. In january 2014, the state department designated ansar alsharias branches in benghazi, darna and neighboring tunisia foreign terrorist organizations, making asl. Top ten news stories for the week ending july 19, 20. The rise and decline of ansar alsharia in libya by. Following this designation, the tunisian government cracked down on both the. Until january 2015, it was led by its amir, muhammad alzahawi. May 28, 2014 since its establishment in postrevolution tunisia, ansar al sharia in tunisia ast, the leading salafijihadi organization in the country, has relied heavily on facebook to promote its agenda. I think that ennahdha believed that if they crack down hard on salafist groups that.
In january 2014, the state department designated ansar al sharia s branches in benghazi, darna and neighboring tunisia foreign terrorist organizations, making asl members official targets for u. Tunisian security forces and salafists clashed again thursday april 10th in siliana. One underappreciated aspect of this is the way ansar alsharia in. In 2000, hassine cofounded the tunisian combatant group tcg, an al qaedaaffiliated group that participated in the sept. Ansar al sharia tunisia is headed by seifullah ben hassine a. Ansar alsharia in libya dissolves itself aymenn jawad al.
The tunisian branch of ansar al sharia announced it was holding an annual conference in the old central islamic city of kairouan in tunisia on sunday. How ansar alsharia grew in postrevolutionary tunisia. Aug 27, 20 ali larayedh, the tunisian pm, gave on monday a press conference during which he outcasted the ansar al sharia organization. Ansar al sharia in libya asl was a violent salafist group that was active in libya from 2012 to 2017. Ansar alsharia in benghazi, ansar alsharia in darnah, and. The tunisian branch of ansar alsharia announced it was holding an annual conference in the old central islamic city of kairouan in tunisia on sunday. Fbi fbis top ten news stories for the week ending july. However, nearly one thousand miles to the west, ansar alsharia in libya asl has continued its work of facilitating a future islamic state since. Since its establishment in postrevolution tunisia, ansar alsharia in tunisia ast, the leading salafijihadi organization in the country, has relied heavily on facebook to promote its agenda. In a policy analysis for the washington institute for near east policy, a d. Ali larayedh, the tunisian pm, gave on monday a press conference during which he outcasted the ansar alsharia organization. Ansar alshariah in tunisia ast was a salafijihadist militant organization. Tunisia declares the salafist ansar alsharia movement a terrorist group, blaming it for the assassinations of two secular politicians.
Ansar alsharia is the most radical islamist group to emerge in what was. It is listed as a terrorist organization by the governments of both the united states and the libyan parliament. On thursday 20 february, icct convened the seminar ansar alsharias war with tunisia. Ansar al sharia tunisia story stream critical threats.
It only emerged when the tunisian government began to crack down on its. Ansar al sharia tunisia, which orchestrated the sept. Ansar al sharia in tunisia is an organization that believes in al qaedas worldview, but primarily at this juncture only focuses on local recruitment and missionary activities. Libyas ansar alsharia armed group announced its own dissolution on saturday, saying it has been weakened by fighting in benghazi. Morocco and tunisia to crack down on syriabound jihadists the. Ansar alsharia announced in a 27 may 2017 statement posted online that it was formally dissolving itself. The group had been clashing in the eastern city with forces. Why the alqaeda linked group blamed for 2012 benghazi attack. Abu iyad al tunisi, who has longstanding ties to al qaeda.
Benghazi, libya ansar alsharia in libya ansar alshariah brigade. Ansar al sharia libya story stream critical threats. One underappreciated aspect of this is the way ansar alsharia in tunisias ast messaging primed members of the group and others in society that were exposed to, attended, or followed online ast activities and events. Aug 27, 20 tunisia declares the salafist ansar al sharia movement a terrorist group, blaming it for the assassinations of two secular politicians. May 12, 20 tunisia cracks down on ansar alsharia militants after clashes clashes precede islamist militant groups annual meeting of the group on may 19 in tunisian holy city of kairouan. Ansar alsharia, whose fugitive leader saifallah benahssine also known as abu iyadh is a former al qaeda fighter in afghanistan, is seeking to establish an islamic state in tunisia and says. Tunisia cracks down on ansar alsharia militants after clashes clashes precede islamist militant groups annual meeting of the group on may 19 in tunisian holy city of kairouan. Since then, tunisia has taken key steps toward democracy. The washington institute for near east policy, 09 may 2014. Members of ansar al sharia have regularly taken part in protests in tunisia against perceived blasphemy and have been suspected in involvement in a number of violent incidents. Ansar al sharia initially manifested as a revolutionary brigade during the 2011 libyan revolution and gained prominence following the death of muammar al qaddafi. Retired general khalifa haftar, the selfdeclared leader of the.
Supporters of islamic law was a salafist islamist militia group that advocated the implementation of strict sharia law across libya. Nov 16, 2012 former cia director david petraeus is expected to tell house and senate committees friday that ansar al sharia was suspected in the u. Sep 21, 2012 the name ansar al sharia shot into the news last week in the aftermath of the attack on the u. At its height, asl operated branches in benghazi, derna, sirte, ajdabiya, and nawfalia. Ansar alsharia partisans of islamic law sharia is a salafist jihadist militia based in benghazi. On 27 april, 2011, a blog titled the alqayrawan media foundation qmf was created, and two days later a corresponding facebook page was established. Ansar al sharia ast, established during april 2011, is the most pronounced jihadist organization in tunisia with a supportive ideology to that of al qaeda.
Ansar alsharia initially manifested as a revolutionary brigade during the 2011 libyan revolution and gained prominence following the death of muammar alqaddafi. The tunisian branch of ansar alsharia meanwhile criticized tunisian authorities for having granted the fbi access to harzi, and. Ansar alsharia in tunisia ast counter extremism project. After sometimes turning a blind eye to the activities of ansar alsharia and other groups during much of its 18month reign. Ansar alsharia supporters of sharia was once libyas most familiar jihadi organization in the postgaddafi environment, widely suspected of involvement in the attack on the u. Soon thereafter, on 15 may, a facebook page named ansar alsharia in tunisia popped up, at the same time as an announcement was made regarding a. Ansar alsharia in benghazi, ansar alsharia in darnah.
Ansar alsharia in libya asl counter extremism project. Press release the arabic network for human rights information anhri condemns kairouans security bodies rearrest of seifeddine rais, ansar alsharia spokesman, on tuesday july 29. It has been listed as a terrorist group by the tunisian government as well by the united nations, the uae, the united kingdom and the united states. The government said the group had shown disdain for state institutions and was a. Ansar al sharia partisans of islamic law sharia is a salafist jihadist militia based in benghazi. Ansar al sharia tunisia leader says gains in iraq should be cause for jihadist reconciliation. May 29, 2017 it was closely linked to the ansar al sharia of tunisia, many of whose members took refuge in libya following a crackdown by the tunisian government, which declared ansar al sharia of tunisia a terrorist organization in august 20. This is archived material from the federal bureau of investigation fbi website. Then, on 15 may, another facebook page under the name ansar alsharia in tunisia was launched, coinciding with the announcement that a conference would be convened in tunis on 21 may. Jun, 2014 libyas ansar al sharia has come under the spotlight in recent weeks following the launch of attacks against the group in benghazi. Ansar alsharia in tunisia ast terrorist groups trac.
Jul 01, 2015 ansar al sharia is one of the chief jihadist factions fighting across the border from tunisia in the libyan civil war, and is alleged to be behind the attack on the us consulate in libya in 20. Clashes precede islamist militant groups annual meeting of the group on may 19 in tunisian holy city of kairouan. Interview with terrorists stepping up operations in tunisia and jeopardising the democratic transition, magharebia sat down with a leading scholar to get a better understanding of the threat. The name ansar alsharia shot into the news last week in the aftermath of the attack on the u.
Zelin, meeting tunisias ansar alsharia, foreign policy, march 8, 20. Over the past two years, global attention has shifted to syria and iraq with the rise of jabhat alnusra and the return of the islamic state of iraq and alsham isis. It was closely linked to the ansar alsharia of tunisia, many of whose members took refuge in libya following a crackdown by the tunisian. Tunisia cracks down on ansar alsharia militants after clashes. On january 10th, the us department of state announced that it was designating two groups in libya and a group in tunisia, all bearing the name ansar alsharia, as separate foreign terrorist organizations fto and specially designated global terrorists sdgt. What is ansar al sharia, and was it behind the consulate. Ansar alsharia in tunisia aast was founded in 2011 by saifallah ben hassine, also known as abu iyad altunisi, after he was released from prison during the tunisian revolution. Jan 12, 2014 posts about ansar alsharia written by joseph trevithick.
Ansar al sharia tunisia launches new website fdds long. Since 2014, ansar al sharia in libya went into significant decline. Ansar al sharia tunisia launches new website fdds long war. Ansar al sharia in tunisia aast was founded in 2011 by saifallah ben hassine, also known as abu iyad al tunisi, after he was released from prison during the tunisian revolution. Libyan extremist group ansar al sharia disbands the national. Ansar alshariah tunisia cisac, stanford university. Members of ansar alsharia have regularly taken part in protests in tunisia against perceived blasphemy and have been suspected in involvement in a number of violent incidents. Ansar al sharia is a salafijihadi group established during the 2011 libyan revolution that is part of al qaedas network in libya. Ansar alsharia is one of the chief jihadist factions fighting across the border from tunisia in the libyan civil war, and is alleged to be behind the attack on the us consulate in. Since members have been accused of involvement in attacks on the us embassies in tunisia and libya, the tunisian government banned the meeting. Mar 19, 2020 there are a number of reasons why tunisians joined the islamic state in iraq, syria, and libya. Ansar al sharia in tunisia, which is ideologically aligned with alqaida and tied to its affiliates, including aqim, represents the greatest threat to u. Four policemen were gunned down in karachis site area on friday in what appeared to be an incident of target killing, officials told dawn.
Ansar al sharia, one of libyas foremost extremist groups, is disbanding after suffering heavy losses in its main base of benghazi. Tunisia the ansar alsharia group is a terrorist organisation, tunisian prime minister ali larayedh says. Posts about ansar alsharia written by joseph trevithick. Ramzi explains that ansar al sharia s activities within sousse are completely funded from within the country by donations from individuals with jobs. Ansar alsharias secondincommand kamel zarrouk, in his 40s, has now arrived in syria to join the islamic state of iraq and the levant isil. Libyas ansar alsharia announces dissolution libya news. Tunisia has banned the radical islamist group ansar alsharia from holding a meeting in the city of kairouan. Aug 27, 20 ansar al sharia blamed for tunisia killings prime minister says hardline salafist movement was behind murder of politicians chokri belaid and mohamed brahmi. During this event, associate fellow daveed gartenstein ross presented the findings of his research paper and was joined by dr. Meeting tunisias ansar alsharia i walk through a tunisian market around midday, at the entrance to the fortress of sousse, a town about. Ast is a violent jihadist group that seeks to implement sharia islamic law in tunisia. The obama administration should be doing all it can to hunt down those responsible for this.
Ansar alsharia came into being in 2011, during the libyan civil war. Although all this sounds nice, the economic climate in tunisia is not thriving. In 20, the group was estimated to have roughly 10,000 members. Mar 08, 20 meeting tunisias ansar alsharia i walk through a tunisian market around midday, at the entrance to the fortress of sousse, a town about 90 minutes southeast of the capital tunis on the coast. Libyas ansar al sharia armed group announced its own dissolution on saturday, saying it has been weakened by fighting in benghazi. May 18, 20 tunisia has banned the radical islamist group ansar al sharia from holding a meeting in the city of kairouan.
Ansar alsharia blamed for tunisia killings news al. Ansar alsharia in libya dissolves itself aymenn jawad. The government arrested a number of salafist leaders on charges of incitement to violence and began cracking down on ansar alsharia activities. Tunisia declares ansar alsharia a terrorist group bbc news.