Alwaght | News & Analysis Website

Alwaght- A while ago, as ISIS beheaded some Egyptian Christians on the coast of Libya, the terrorist activities in this African country received the attention of the authorities and the media. They also beheaded 17 Fajr Libya militias, blew up several car bombs, and launched an attack on Corinthia hotel, the safest place of Tripoli government while the former prime minister, Omar al-Hassi, and other Libyan government officials were at the hotel.
In the cities of Sirte and Derna, ISIS has stronger presence than any other parts of Libya. To investigate the presence of ISIS in Sirte, one should review the Libyan Revolution. The core of the Jihadi Salafi in Sirte was first formed under the name of Ansar al-Sharia of Libya (ASL). They infiltrated into the city under the guise of protecting the security of the city, doing humanitarian affairs, and providing basic social services for the citizens who are still suffering the consequences of Gaddafi conflicts.
Social activities of ASL in Sirte and creating a good image among the people of the city made way for persuading the youth and other people to join the movement. Especially the youths who felt they were defeated by the revolutionary forces, and sought revenge on them. Another thing that helped the ASL to create a good impression was that the group intentionally did not rely on slogans of the February Revolution, but they put emphasis on the Jihadi propaganda which is beyond domestic issues. Besides, ASL paid more attention to the current situation of citizens in terms of conformity to the Islamic laws rather than their political affiliation or past records before the Revolution.
This is the point where well-known figures from the former regime, declared allegiance to ASL and returned to the arena and with total freedom began their activities. Statements made by Ahmed Gaddafi al-Dam, Gaddafi’s cousin and an element of the former regime, in support of the ISIS confirm this.
Libyan Jihadi movements, now under the flag of ISIS, looked for a tribal and public context to organize and recruit new members, currently their links with the Gaddafi elements have made this possible.
Common interests of ISIS and supporters of Gaddafi as well as the security vacuum created after the collapse of the regime in Libya, made the city of Sirte, Gaddafi's hometown, a haven for ISIS recruit, training and planning.
After Gaddafi supporters and ASL in Sirte formed a collation, the second power base of ISIS was created as a number of the Jihadi Salafi forces migrated from Mali to Libya (after the military intervention of France) and ISIS welcomed them in Sirte and provided them the necessary protection. The third power base was completed as a number of Jihadi elements from Algeria, Sudan and Tunisia joined the movement.
Derna is another city where ISIS is actively present. 250 km from Benghazi, Derna has a long history of paramilitary actions, and this even goes back to period before the fall of Gaddafi in 2011. Derna become a base for extremists and terrorists as result of promoting the Jihadi Salafi ideas over the past decades. By 2012, Derna was completely out of Tripoli government's control, and it was at the hands of some armed groups. In the absence of a central government, thousands of Takfiri members came to Libya and received military trainings in bases built in Libya, and then they were sent to Syria. These events, more than ever, paved the way for spread of extremist ideas in Libya, especially in Derna.
Apart from these two cities, ISIS is partially present in some other areas including Benghazi and Tripoli.
For the following reasons, Takfiri movements found Libya the best place for their campaigns:
1. Libya’s 2000 km long Mediterranean coastline;
2. Mountainous and forest areas in East Libya to deploy and train forces and be immune from air strikes of the opposition forces;
 3. The connection of Libyan Desert to Sahara Desert, and neighboring with six African countries;
 4. Rich oil and mineral resources;
 5. Libya’s experience in training the leading member of al-Qaeda, and other militant and Takfiri groups.
Currently, Libya is a safe haven for recruiting, training and planning of Takfiri groups, foreigners and Arab Takfiris in the West Africa.
‘Islamic Youth Shura Council’ in Derna, Ansar al-Sharia (Derna branch), Ansar al-Sharia (Sirte Branch), and Mujahideen Shura Council of Derna are of major groups that have joined the ISIS.
The formation of terrorist groups, such as al-Qaeda shows that they can grow in an environment that has three characteristics: 1. Security vacuum. 2. Social crisis, 3. Illiterate or poorly educated people. If these necessary conditions are not provided anymore, the terrorists will face social and security difficulties for their survival and would fail to recruit new members. Therefore, their survival in Libya will be subject to future conditions of Libya. The more powerful the Libyan government is, the less powerful would be ISIS and terrorist groups.
If peace negotiations between the two sides of the conflicts in Libya, the forces of General Haftar (Tobruk government) and Fajr of Libya (Tripoli government) prove fruitful, ISIS will be seriously limited. Therefore, in this case, ISIS is not expected to have long-term presence and activity in Libya.