Libya Shield Force
{{Short description|Islamist armed group}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{more citations needed|date=July 2018}}
{{infobox war faction
| name = Libya Shield Force
| native_name = قوة درع ليبيا
| native_name_lang = Arabic
| war =
| image = File:Libya Shield Force.png
| image_size = 190px
| caption =
| active = 2012–present
| ideology = Islamism
Salafism
Islamic fundamentalism
| leaders =
| clans =
| headquarters =
| area =
| size =
| partof =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| allies = Fajr Libya militia{{cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/alarabiya-studies/2014/08/25/Libyan-Dawn-Map-of-allies-and-enemies.html |title=Libyan Dawn: Map of allies and enemies |date=August 25, 2014 |publisher=Al Arabiya English |accessdate=2020-05-24}}
Government of National Accord
| split =
| opponents =
| battles = Libyan Crisis
| url =
}}
The Libya Shield Force is an armed organisation formed in 2012 out of anti-Gaddafi armed groups spread throughout Libya. The Libyan parliament designated much of the Libya Shield Force as terrorist and elements of the Libya Shield Force were identified as linked to al-Qaeda as early as 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/366355/libyan-milita-units-that-aided-u-s-marines-during-embassy-attack-linked-to-al-qaeda/|title=Libyan Militia Units That Aided U.S. Marines During Embassy Attack Linked To Al-Qaeda|publisher=Inquisitr|accessdate=February 10, 2015}}{{cite book|title=The Jihadist Plot: The Untold Story of Al-Qaeda and the Libyan Rebellion|author=Rosenthal, J.|date=2013|publisher=Encounter Books|isbn=9781594036828|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-RuH8O3Pel0C|accessdate=February 10, 2015}}
Since the outbreak of the Second Libyan Civil War, the Libya Shield Force has been associated with the Islamic fundamentalist side. In 2019, it reportedly aided the Government of National Accord in defending Tripoli from an LNA offensive.{{cite web|url=https://www.uprising.today/tobruk-mp-claims-terrorists-from-turkey-support-tripoli-government-against-haftar-claims-terrorists-from-turkey-support-tripoli-government-against-haftar/|title=Tobruk MP claims terrorists from Turkey support Tripoli government against Haftar|date=July 6, 2019|website=Uprising Today|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-06|archive-date=2019-07-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706203248/https://www.uprising.today/tobruk-mp-claims-terrorists-from-turkey-support-tripoli-government-against-haftar-claims-terrorists-from-turkey-support-tripoli-government-against-haftar/|url-status=dead}}
Branches
The major branches of the Libya Shield Force fighting for Islamists in the current conflict are:
- Libya Shield 1, now part of the Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries which is designated "terrorist" by the House of Representatives
- Another Benghazi unit, Shield 2, is considered more sympathetic to the federalists.{{cite news|url=http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/06/09/benghazi-libya-shield-protests-at-least-27-dead/#ixzz2neES20PM|title=Benghazi Libya Shield Protests: at least 27 dead|author1=Ayman Amzein |author2=Maha Ellawati |publisher=Libya Herald|date=June 9, 2013|accessdate=December 16, 2013}} The force reports to the Libyan defense ministry under the command of Wisam Bin Ahmid (or Humid), who commanded a Benghazi brigade called Free Libya Martyrs.
- The Western Shield, serving the General National Congress. The Western Shield is involved in fighting to the south and west of Tripoli. It is linked to Al-Qaida leader Abd al-Muhsin Al-Libi,{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/23/jihadists-now-control-secretive-u-s-base-in-libya.html|title=Jihadists Now Control Secretive U.S. Base in Libya – The Daily Beast|newspaper=The Daily Beast|date=April 23, 2014|publisher=thedailybeast.com|accessdate=February 10, 2015|last1=Lake|first1=Eli}} also known as Ibrahim Ali Abu Bakr or Ibrahim Tantoush (not to be confused with Abu Anas al Libi).
- The Central Shield, serving the General National Congress. The Central Shield was heavily involved in the fighting to capture Tripoli International Airport.{{cite news |date=August 23, 2014 |title=Tripoli airport 'seized by Islamist militia' |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/08/tripoli-airport-2014823183122249347.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera |accessdate=August 23, 2014}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/24/libya-capital-under-islamist-control-tripoli-airport-seized-operation-dawn |title=Libyan capital under Islamist control after Tripoli airport seized |author=Chris Stephen and Anne Penketh |newspaper=The Guardian |date=August 24, 2014 |accessdate=August 24, 2014}} Due to the large number of Misratans, the Central Shield is often identified as Misrata brigades. Officially designated as "terrorists" by the Libyan House of Representatives.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}
=Creation=
The Libyan Ministry of Defense, under decision No. 29, formed and named Libya Shield Forces on March 8, 2012. Decision No. 29 states, "A brigade shall be formed in the Central Region of Libya and is to be called Libya Shield – The forces of the Central Brigade shall consist, in general, of rebels from the following regions, Misrata, Sirte, Jafra, Bani Walid, Terhuna, Alkhmuss, Mslath and Zliten. Colonel Mohammed Ibrahim Moussa shall be the commander of the brigade and shall be stationed in Misrata." This decision was signed by the Minister of Defense, Osama Abdulsalam Aljuli. Thus, the name Libya Shield Forces was first coined by the Libyan Minister of Defense.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}
Attacks
The group began its armed activity in 2012, it was not until the following year that they increased their armed activity.{{cite web|url=https://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/search/IncidentSummary.aspx?gtdid=201301230028|title=GTD ID:201301230028|work=Global Terrorism Database|accessdate=2023-01-17}}{{cite web|url=https://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/search/IncidentSummary.aspx?gtdid=201312220003|title=GTD ID:201312220003|work=Global Terrorism Database|accessdate=2023-01-17}} On April 14, 2014, assailants opened fire on the convoy of Fawaz al-Etan, Jordanian ambassador to Libya, in the Mansour neighborhood of the city of Tripoli, Tripoli district. Al-Etan, the Jordanian ambassador, was kidnapped and his driver was injured in the attack. Al-Etan was released on May 13, 2014. No group claimed responsibility for the incident; however, sources attributed the kidnapping to the Libyan Shield Force.{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/jordans-ambassador-to-libya-free-after-kidnapping/1913308.html|title=Libyan Kidnappers Release Jordanian Ambassador|work=Voice of America News|accessdate=2023-01-17}}{{cite web|url=https://www.laprensagrafica.com/internacional/Secuestran-al-embajador-jordano-en-Libia-20140415-0058.html|title=Secuestran al embajador jordano en Libia|work=La Prensa Gráfica|accessdate=2023-01-17}}
In July 13, members of the Zintan Militia members stationed at Tripoli International Airport were attacked, killing six people were killed and 25 others were wounded result of the subsequent clashes.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/14/world/middleeast/rival-factions-in-libyan-capital-tripoli-battle-for-control-of-main-airport.html|title=Rival Factions in Libyan Capital Battle for Control of Main Airport|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2023-01-17}}{{cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2014/07/13/Fierce-fighting-halts-flights-into-Libyan-capital|title=Fierce fighting halts flights into Libyan capital|work=Al Arabiya|accessdate=2023-01-17}}{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20140720-libya-airport-tripoli-clashes-militias-rebels|title=Scores killed as Libyan militias fight over airport|work=France24|accessdate=2023-01-17}} Days later, two suicide bombers detonated explosive-laden vehicles at an Al-Saiqa Special Forces base in the city of Benghazi. The first bomber detonated at the base entrance, allowing the second bomber to detonate his explosives inside the base immediately after the first explosion. In addition to the two attackers, six members of the Saiqa Forces were killed and two others injured in the attack. No group claimed responsibility for the incident; however, sources attributed the attack to Ansar al-Sharia (Libya) and the Libyan Shield 1.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/cnews-us-libya-security-ports-idCAKBN0FR1YJ20140722|title=Deadly suicide blast hits Benghazi army base|work=Reuters|accessdate=2023-01-17}}{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/cnews-us-libya-security-ports-idCAKBN0FR1YJ20140722|title=Suicide attack escalates Libya violence, oil output slips|work=Reuters|accessdate=2023-01-17}}
On August 1, an explosive charge detonated near a police building in Benghazi, leaving only property damage,{{cite web|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/625560/blast-flattens-police-building-eastern-libyan-city|title=Blast flattens police building eastern Libyan city|work=Inquirer News|accessdate=2023-01-17}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/08/01/blast-flattens-police-building-eastern-libyan-city/13452439/|title=Blast flattens police building eastern Libyan city|work=USA Today|accessdate=2023-01-17}} days later another similar attack would be recorded in Benghazi, also causing material damage. In the days that followed, attacks would continue, which some sources would point out were the work of the Libyan Shield Force.{{cite web|url=https://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/search/IncidentSummary.aspx?gtdid=201408300003|title=GTD ID:201408300003|work=Global Terrorism Database|accessdate=2023-01-17}}{{cite web|url=https://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/search/IncidentSummary.aspx?gtdid=201409030039|title=GTD ID:201409030039|work=Global Terrorism Database|accessdate=2023-01-17}} Two suicide bombers detonated explosive-laden cars at a Haftar militia checkpoint near the airport in the city of Benghazi. In addition to the attackers, more than 10 soldiers were killed and 52 others injured by the blast. This was one of two coordinated attacks against the militia in the area that day. The Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries claimed responsibility for the incident in coordination with the Ansar al Sharia and the Libyan Shield Forces.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/benghazi-bombings-kill-12-libyan-soldiers-injure-60-others-n216606|title=Benghazi Bombings Kill 12 Libyan Soldiers, Injure 60 Others|work=NBC News|accessdate=2023-01-18}}{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-security-idUSKCN0HR0XZ20141002|title=Almost 30 Libyan soldiers killed in Benghazi attacks|work=Reuters|accessdate=2023-01-18}}{{cite web|url=https://www.libyaherald.com/2014/10/breaking-news-seven-dead-following-double-suicide-bombing-at-benina/|title=Breaking News: Seven dead following double suicide bombing at Benina|work=Libya Herald|accessdate=2023-01-18}}