Ansar al-Sharia (Libya)
Ansar al-Sharia in Libya (ASL, Arabic: أنصار الشريعة بليبيا, English: Supporters of Islamic Law) was a Salafist Islamist militia and Al-Qaeda-aligned group that advocated the implementation of 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. As part of its strategy, the organization targeted specific Libyan and American civilians for death and took part in the 2012 Benghazi attack. The group was designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, Iraq, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
| Ansar al-Sharia in Libya | |
|---|---|
| أنصار الشريعة بليبيا | |
| Emblem and flag of Ansar al-Sharia | |
| Leaders | Abu Khalid al Madani Mohamed al-Zahawi † |
| Dates of operation | June 2012 – 27 May 2017 |
| Active regions | Benghazi Other cities in Eastern Libya Ajdabiya (2015-2016) Derna |
| Ideology | Islamism Salafi jihadism Anti-Gaddafi |
| Size | 4,500–5,000+ |
| Part of | Ansar al-Sharia Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council of Mujahideen in Derna Ajdabiya Shura Council |
| Allies | |
| Opponents | Al-Saiqa (Libya) Operation Dignity coalition |
| Battles and wars | First Libyan Civil War |
| Flag |
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On 27 May 2017, the group announced it was formally dissolving itself, amid heavy losses that killed most of its leadership and decimated its fighters.