Narrative
Narrative of the Organization's History
Narrative of the Organization's History
Leadership, Name Changes, Size Estimates, Resources, Geographic Locations
Ideology, Aims, Political Activities, Targets, and Tactics
First Attacks, Largest Attacks, Notable Attacks
Foreign Designations and Listings, Community Relations, Relations with Other Groups, State Sponsors and External Influences
Mapping relationships with other militant groups over time in regional maps
AST was a Salafi-Jihadist militant organization that aimed to establish Shariah law in Tunisia and promote global jihad.[34] The group combined community service, proselytization, and violence to promote its Salafi ideology and goals in Tunisia. While AST supported AQ’s goal of inspiring Muslims globally to attack enemies of Islam, it focused initially on missionary activities and local recruitment.[35] The group had close ties to Shaikh Khattab Idris, one of the most influential Salafi clerics in Tunisia.[36]
At its outset, AST had close ties to the political party al-Nahda, formed when future members of both groups were imprisoned together under the Ben Ali regime in 2006. The groups reportedly held meetings after they were released from prison in 2011. However, as al-Nahda gained power in government and AST began to rely on more violent tactics, the relationship became a liability for al-Nahda. The political party designated AST a terrorist organization in August 2013.[37]
The group combined community service, proselytization, and violence to promote its Salafi ideology and goals in Tunisia, while maintaining positive relationships with Tunisian communities. The majority of its member typically proselytized and performed public services such as providing religious education and social services, rather than engaging in terrorism.[38] Although AST claimed responsibility for few attacks, the Tunisian government and media implicated the group for various suicide bombings, small arms attacks and kidnappings. The militant organization claimed responsibility for the assassination of two politicians left-wing politicians. AST reportedly targeted the Tunisian government, security forces, Tunisian political figures, religious sites, and groups representing Western influence, such as tourists and foreign consulates.[39] AST also recruited Tunisian youth to fight in Syria.
Disclaimer: These are some selected major attacks in the militant organization's history. It is not a comprehensive listing but captures some of the most famous attacks or turning points during the campaign.
September 14, 2012: Abu Iyadh al-Tunisi, leader of AST, organized riots and looting targeting the U.S. Embassy and a nearby American school in Tunis following the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi (4 killed, 29 wounded).[40]
February 6, 2013: AST shot and killed secular, leftist politician Chokri Belaid, creating political turmoil in the government (1 killed, 0 wounded).[41]
July 25, 2013: AST assassinated another left-wing politician, Mohamed Brahmi. The Tunisian government blamed AST for the attack and designated the group a terrorist organization as a result of its participation in both this attack and the earlier assassination of Chokri Belaid. AST later claimed responsibility for this attack and the assassination of Belaid in a video published in December 2014 (1 killed, 0 wounded).[42]
October 23, 2013: Militants attacked the Tunisian National Guard in Sidi Ali Bin Aoun, Sidi Bou Zid, Tunisia, killing 8 soldiers (8 killed, 0 wounded).[43]
October 30, 2013: Two suicide bombers targeted a hotel beach in Sousse, Tunisia. Only one detonated his bomb, and he was the only casualty. Five AST members were arrested in relation to the bombing (1 killed, 0 wounded).[44]
March 21, 2014: AST militants allegedly kidnapped the secretary of the Tunisian ambassador, Mohamed bin Sheikh in Tripoli, Libya. Sheikh was ultimately released on June 29, 2014 (no casualties).[45]
July 16, 2014: Militants used rifles and grenades to attack Tunisian soldiers at military checkpoints near the Tunisian border with Algeria (14 killed, unknown wounded).[46]
AST earned much of its popular support through its dawa, or charitable work, campaign for the communities of Tunisia. The group provided food and medical services for the poor, organized Islamic lectures for the general public, and ran religious classes for local children.[51] AST also exploited widespread frustration with the Tunisian government in order to attract recruits.
AST distributed its printed propaganda in markets and published its materials online, establishing itself as a charitable rather than violent organization. AST’s media branch, the al-Qayrawan Media Foundation handled the group’s social media and propaganda.[52]
Like many groups in North Africa, AST had ties to Al Qaeda (AQ). AST leader Hussein reportedly had relationships with AQ leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri. Two other AST leaders, Sami Ben Khemais Essid and Mehdi Kammoun, were convicted for participating in and running AQ operations in Italy before returning to Tunisia and joining AST.[53] Although it was not formally affiliated with AQ, AST publicly stated its loyalty to the group on its social media pages.[54]
Hussein swore an oath of allegiance to the emir of AQ-affiliate group, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). The AST leader also worked with Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a former AQIM commander and founder of the Al Mourabitoun Battalion (AMB).[55]
Unlike most other jihadi groups, AST maintained positive relations with both AQ and the Islamic State (IS), which are known to use their regional affiliates to compete and fight one another. AST publicly supported IS and encouraged members to go to Syria to fight with the group.[56] In a 2013 audio message, Hussein encouraged AQ and IS leaders to settle their disputes in an amicable manner.[57] In July 2014, AST’s spokesman, Seifeddine Rais, swore loyalty to IS; it is unclear whether he spoke on behalf of AST. Following his pledge, a number of AST leaders left to fight in Syria and dedicated themselves to IS. Although AST backed IS on social media, the extent of their connection is unknown.[58]
AST was not formally affiliated with the Ansar al-Shariah organizations operating in Libya, Yemen and Egypt. However, all groups employed methods of dawa. AST and Ansar al-Shariah in Libya (ASL) reportedly shared some operational, financial, and logistical links, but the extent of their relationship is unclear. ASL allegedly sold weapons to AST.[59]
There are no publicly available external influences for this group.
[1] Gall, Carlotta. "Tunisia Fears Attacks by Citizens Flocking to Jihad." The New York Times, 05 Aug. 2014. Web. 13 Aug. 2014; "Tunisia Blacklists Salafist Group." BBC News, 27 Apr. 2013. Web. 13 Aug. 2014.
[2] "Ansar Al-Sharia in Tunisia (AST)." Counter Extremism Project, n.d. Web. 19 Aug. 2016.
[3] Irshaid, Faisal. "Profile: Libya's Ansar al-Sharia." BBC News, 13 June 2014. Web. 15 Sept. 2014; Carlino, Ludovico. "Ansar Al-Shari'a: Transforming Libya into a Land of Jihad." The Jamestown Foundation, 9 Jan. 2014. Web. 10 Aug. 2016; “Al-Qaeda in Libya: A Profile.” Library of Congress, Federal Research Division, Aug. 2012. Web. 10 Aug. 2016; "Ansar Al-Sharia in Libya (ASL)." Counter Extremism Project, 2015. Web. 10 Aug. 2016; "Libya suicide blasts leave 40 soldiers dead." Al Jazeera, 3 Oct. 2014. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.
[4] Zellin, Aaron. "Tunisia: Uncovering Ansar Al-Sharia." The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 13 Oct. 2013. Web. 14 Aug. 2014.
[5] Gall, Carlotta. "Tunisia Fears Attacks by Citizens Flocking to Jihad." The New York Times, 05 Aug. 2014. Web. 13 Aug. 2014; Zellin, Aaron. "Tunisia: Uncovering Ansar Al-Sharia." The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 13 Oct. 2013. Web. 14 Aug. 2014.
[6] Gall, Carlotta. "Tunisia Fears Attacks by Citizens Flocking to Jihad." The New York Times, 05 Aug. 2014. Web. 13 Aug. 2014.
[7] Zellin, Aaron. "Meeting Tunisia's Ansar Al-Shariah." Foreign Policy, 8 Mar. 2013. Web. 13 Aug. 2014.
[8] Gall, Carlotta. "Tunisia Fears Attacks by Citizens Flocking to Jihad." The New York Times, 05 Aug. 2014. Web. 13 Aug. 2014; "Tunisia Blacklists Salafist Group." BBC News, 27 Apr. 2013. Web. 13 Aug. 2014.
[9] "Tunisia Blacklists Salafist Group." BBC News. 27 Aug. 2013. Web. 13 Aug. 2014.
[10] Joscelyn, Thomas. "Ansar al Sharia Tunisia leader says gains in Iraq should be cause for jihadist reconciliation." Long War Journal, 14 June 2014. Web. 15 Oct. 2014; Zellin, Aaron. "Shabab Al-Tawhid: The Rebranding of Ansar Al-Sharia in Tunisia?" The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 09 May 2014. Web. 14 Aug. 2014.
[11] Joscelyn, Thomas. "Ansar Al Sharia Responds to Tunisian Government." The Long War Journal, 3 Sept. 2013. Web. 15 Aug. 2014.
[12] Joscelyn, Thomas. "Ansar al Sharia Tunisia leader says gains in Iraq should be cause for jihadist reconciliation." Long War Journal, 14 June 2014. Web. 15 Oct. 2014; Zellin, Aaron. "Shabab al-Tawhid: The Rebranding of Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia?" The Washington Institute, 9 May 2014. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
[13] Roggio, Bill. "Ansar Al Sharia Tunisia Deputy Leader Reportedly in Syria." The Long War Journal, 27 Feb. 2014. Web. 14 Aug. 2014.
[14] Gartenstein-Ross, Daveed, et al. “Raising the Stakes: Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia’s Shift to Jihad.” International Centre for Counter-Terrorism--The Hague, Feb. 2014. Web. 23 July 2018; "Ansar Al-Sharia in Tunisia (AST)." Counter Extremism Project, n.d. Web. 19 Aug. 2016; Zellin, Aaron. "Shabab Al-Tawhid: The Rebranding of Ansar Al-Sharia in Tunisia?" The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 9 May 2014. Web. 14 Aug. 2014.
[15] Zellin, Aaron. "Shabab al-Tawhid: The Rebranding of Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia?” The Washington Institute, 9 May 2014. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
[16] Petre, Christine. “Tunisian Salafism: the rise and fall of Ansar al-Sharia.” FRIDE, Oct. 2015. Web. 23 July 2018.
[17] Gartenstein-Ross, Daveed, and Bridget Moreng. “Tunisian Jihadism after the Sousse Massacre.” International Centre for Counter-Terrorism--The Hague, Oct. 2015. Web. 24 July 2018.
[18] Spencer, Richard. "Senior Tunisian Jihadist and Osama Bin Laden Associate 'killed by US Strike in Libya'" The Telegraph, 3 July 2015. Web. 23 Aug. 2016; Petre, Christine. “Tunisian Salafism: the rise and fall of Ansar al-Sharia.” FRIDE, Oct. 2015. Web. 23 July 2018.
[19] Joscelyn, Thomas. "State Department designates 3 Ansar al Sharia organizations, leaders ." The Long War Journal, 10 Jan. 2014. Web. 23 July 2018.
[20] Spencer, Richard. "Senior Tunisian Jihadist and Osama Bin Laden Associate 'killed by US Strike in Libya'" The Telegraph, 3 July 2015. Web. 23 Aug. 2016; Gall, Carlotta. "Tunisia Fears Attacks by Citizens Flocking to Jihad." The New York Times, 05 Aug. 2014. Web. 13 Aug. 2014.
[21] Gall, Carlotta. "Tunisia Fears Attacks by Citizens Flocking to Jihad." The New York Times, 05 Aug. 2014. Web. 13 Aug. 2014.
[22] Roggio, Bill. "Ansar Al Sharia Tunisia Deputy Leader Reportedly in Syria." The Long War Journal, 27 Feb. 2014. Web. 14 Aug. 2014.
[23] Gall, Carlotta. "Tunisia Fears Attacks by Citizens Flocking to Jihad." The New York Times, 05 Aug. 2014. Web. 13 Aug. 2014; Zellin, Aaron. "Tunisia: Uncovering Ansar Al-Sharia." The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 13 Oct. 2013. Web. 14 Aug. 2014.
[24] Joscelyn, Thomas. "State Department designates 3 Ansar al Sharia organizations, leaders ." The Long War Journal, 10 Jan. 2014. Web. 23 July 2018.
[25] Joscelyn, Thomas. "From Al Qaeda in Italy to Ansar Al Sharia Tunisia." The Long War Journal, 21 Nov. 2012. Web. 15 Aug. 2014.
[26] Joscelyn, Thomas. "From Al Qaeda in Italy to Ansar Al Sharia Tunisia." The Long War Journal, 21 Nov. 2012. Web. 15 Aug. 2014.
[27] Zellin, Aaron. "Shabab al-Tawhid: The Rebranding of Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia?” The Washington Institute, 9 May 2014. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
[28] Gall, Carlotta. "Tunisia Fears Attacks by Citizens Flocking to Jihad." The New York Times, 05 Aug. 2014. Web. 13 Aug. 2014.
[29] "Meeting Tunisia's Ansar al-Sharia". Foreign Policy. 8 March 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
[30] "The Salafist Struggle." The Economist. 01 Jan. 2014. Web. 23 Aug. 2016.
[31] "Ansar Al-Sharia in Tunisia (AST)." Counter Extremism Project, n.d. Web. 19 Aug. 2016.
[32] Porter, Tom. "Tunisia attack: UK links to Seifeddine Rezgui terror group Ansar al-Shariai emerge." IB Times, 01 July 2015. Web. 23 July 2018.
[33] Gall, Carlotta. "Tunisia Fears Attacks by Citizens Flocking to Jihad." The New York Times, 05 Aug. 2014. Web. 13 Aug. 2014.
[34] Zellin, Aaron. "Meeting Tunisia's Ansar Al-Shariah." Foreign Policy, 8 Mar. 2013. Web. 13 Aug. 2014.
[35] Zellin, Aaron. "Meeting Tunisia's Ansar Al-Shariah." Foreign Policy, 8 Mar. 2013. Web. 13 Aug. 2014.
[36] Zellin, Aaron. "Tunisia: Uncovering Ansar Al-Sharia." The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 13 Oct. 2013. Web. 14 Aug. 2014.
[37] Zellin, Aaron. "Tunisia: Uncovering Ansar Al-Sharia." The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 13 Oct. 2013. Web. 14 Aug. 2014.
[38] Gall, Carlotta. "Tunisia Fears Attacks by Citizens Flocking to Jihad." The New York Times, 05 Aug. 2014. Web. 13 Aug. 2014; Zellin, Aaron. "Meeting Tunisia's Ansar Al-Shariah." Foreign Policy, 8 Mar. 2013. Web. 13 Aug. 2014.
[39] "Attacks in Tunisia." GTD Search Results. Global Terrorism Database, n.d. Web. 15 Aug. 2014.
[40] Gall, Carlotta. "Tunisia Fears Attacks by Citizens Flocking to Jihad." The New York Times, 05 Aug. 2014. Web. 13 Aug. 2014; "Tunisia Blacklists Salafist Group." BBC News, 27 Apr. 2013. Web. 13 Aug. 2014.
[41] "Ansar Al-Sharia Blamed for Tunisia Killings." Al Jazeera, 27 Apr. 2013. Web. 15 Aug. 2014; Gall, Carlotta. "Second Opposition Leader Assassinated in Tunisia." The New York Times, 25 July 2013. Web. 23 July 2018.
[42] Gall, Carlotta. "Tunisia Fears Attacks by Citizens Flocking to Jihad." The New York Times, 05 Aug. 2014. Web. 13 Aug. 2014; Bouazza, Bouazza Ben. "Video claims responsibility for Tunisia killings." AP News, 18 Dec. 2014. Web. 23 July 2018.
[43] National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START). (2016). Global Terrorism Database [Data file].
[44] Joscelyn, Thomas. "Tunisian Government Blames Ansar Al Sharia for Suicide Attacks." Long War Journal, 4 Nov. 2013. Web. 15 Aug. 2014.
[45] National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START). (2016). Global Terrorism Database [Data file].
[46] "Ansar Al-Sharia in Tunisia (AST)." Counter Extremism Project, n.d. Web. 19 Aug. 2016.
[47] "Tunisia Blacklists Salafist Group." BBC News, 27 Aug. 2013. Web. 13 Aug. 2014.
[48] "Terrorist Designations of Three Ansar Al-Shari'a Organizations and Leaders." U.S. Department of State, 10 Jan. 2014. Web. 13 Aug. 2014.
[49] "Proscribed Terrorist Organisations." UK Home Office, 22 Dec. 2017. Web. 26 June 2018.
[50] "Ansar Al-Sharia in Tunisia (AST)." Counter Extremism Project, n.d. Web. 19 Aug. 2016.
[51] Gall, Carlotta. "Tunisia Fears Attacks by Citizens Flocking to Jihad." The New York Times, 05 Aug. 2014. Web. 13 Aug. 2014; Zellin, Aaron. "Meeting Tunisia's Ansar Al-Shariah." Foreign Policy, 8 Mar. 2013. Web. 13 Aug. 2014.
[52] Zellin, Aaron. "Tunisia: Uncovering Ansar Al-Sharia." The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 13 Oct. 2013. Web. 14 Aug. 2014.
[53] Joscelyn, Thomas. "Ansar Al Sharia Tunisia Releases Pictures of FBI Agents." The Long War Journal, 23 Dec. 2012. Web. 15 Aug. 2014.
[54] "Ansar Al-Sharia in Tunisia (AST)." Counter Extremism Project, n.d. Web. 19 Aug. 2016.
[55] "Terrorist Designations of Three Ansar Al-Shari'a Organizations and Leaders." U.S. Department of State, 10 Jan. 2014. Web. 13 Aug. 2014; Wolf, Anne. "Tunisia: Signs of Domestic Radicalization Post-Revolution." Combating Terrorism Center, Jan. 2013. Web. 23 July 2018; Gartenstein-Ross, Daveed, et al. “Raising the Stakes: Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia’s Shift to Jihad.” International Centre for Counter-Terrorism--The Hague, Feb. 2014. Web. 23 July 2018; Joscelyn, Thomas. "AQIM battalion takes credit for killing 4 Tunisian security officers." The Long War Journal, 20 Feb. 2015. Web. 23 July 2018.
[56] Roggio, Bill. "Ansar Al Sharia Tunisia Deputy Leader Reportedly in Syria." The Long War Journal, 27 Feb. 2014. Web. 14 Aug. 2014.
[57] Petre, Christine. "Tunisian Salafism: the rise and fall of Ansar al-Sharia." FRIDE, Oct. 2015. Web. 23 July 2018.
[58] Gartenstein-Ross, Daveed, et al. “Raising the Stakes: Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia’s Shift to Jihad.” International Centre for Counter-Terrorism--The Hague, Feb. 2014. Web. 23 July 2018; "Ansar Al-Sharia in Tunisia (AST)." Counter Extremism Project, n.d. Web. 19 Aug. 2016; Zellin, Aaron. "Shabab Al-Tawhid: The Rebranding of Ansar Al-Sharia in Tunisia?" The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 9 May 2014. Web. 14 Aug. 2014.
[59] Zellin, Aaron. "Meeting Tunisia's Ansar Al-Shariah." Foreign Policy, 08 Mar. 2013. Web. 13 Aug. 2014; Irshaid, Faisal. "Profile: Libya's Ansar al-Sharia." BBC News, 13 June 2014. Web. 15 Sept. 2014; Carlino, Ludovico. "Ansar Al-Shari'a: Transforming Libya into a Land of Jihad." The Jamestown Foundation, 9 Jan. 2014. Web. 10 Aug. 2016; United States of America. Library of Congress. Federal Research Division. Al-Qaeda in Libya: A Profile, Aug. 2012. Web. 10 Aug. 2016; "Ansar Al-Sharia in Libya (ASL)." Counter Extremism Project, 2015. Web. 10 Aug. 2016; "Libya suicide blasts leave 40 soldiers dead." Al Jazeera, 03 Oct. 2014. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.