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
The LIFG was a Sunni jihadist group that aimed to depose Qaddafi and reestablish an Islamic state in Libya.[42] In its first communiqué in 1995, the LIFG accused Qaddafi’s government of apostasy and stated its goal of establishing Shariah law in Libya. While the LIFG demonstrated solidarity with other jihadist groups around the world, its aims were primarily nationalist rather than transnational.[43] The LIFG never publicly supported a global jihad or AQ’s strategy of targeting the west.[44]
In 2007, Muammar Qaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam Qaddafi, began meeting with imprisoned LIFG leaders to open dialogue with Libyan militant groups.[45] In 2009, after two years of talks with Qaddafi, the LIFG released a new religious code, known as “Revisionist Studies of the Concepts of Jihad, Verification, and Judgment of People,” that denounced killing women, children, elderly people, priests, messengers, traders, and other civilians, promoted the ethical treatment of prisoners of war, and denounced indiscriminate bombings.[46]
The LIFG has no known political activities.
The LIFG’s goal was to depose Qaddafi, but the group remained underground until 1995 so it could train new members. LIFG senior members strategized to simultaneously take over and secure key locations and institutions throughout Libya once the LIFG had enough training and power.[47] After they announced their existence in 1995, the LIFG engaged in small clashes with the police in Benghazi and operations against Libyan security forces. The LIFG also allegedly attempted to assassinate Qaddafi four times and helped plan the Casablanca bombings with the Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group in May 2003.[48]
Following its ideology shift in 2009, the LIFG declared that tactics of indiscriminate bombings and targeting of civilians were not in agreement with its objectives.[49]
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.
May 1995: A LIFG commander in Libya launched a rogue operation to liberate a wounded member held in a hospital. This operation alerted Libyan authorities of the LIFG’s presence and forced the group to formally declare its existence (Unknown casualties).[50]
February 14, 1996: The LIFG attempted to assassinate Qaddafi using a grenade while he visited a Libyan desert town. 6 innocent bystanders were killed when a bomb detonated under the wrong car (6 deaths, unknown casualties).[51]
November 1996: The LIFG attempted to assassinate Qaddafi (Unknown casualties).[52]
November 1998: The LIFG attempted to assassinate Qaddafi (Unknown casualties).[53]
May 2003: The LIFG allegedly helped the Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group (GICM) plan a series of suicide bombings in Casablanca, Morocco in May 2003 (43 killed, unknown wounded).[54]
The LIFG drew support in eastern Libya from civilians who supported the Sanusi monarchy, which ruled Libya between 1951 and 1969.[55]
The relationship between the LIFG and Al Qaeda (AQ) remains unclear. While both share similar ideologies and LIFG members often joined AQ, the LIFG never condoned AQ’s strategy of targeting the west.[56] Unlike other AQ-affiliated groups, the LIFG never congratulated AQ for its 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings, the attack on the U.S.S. Cole, or the attacks on September 11, 2001.[57] On the contrary, LIFG leaders reportedly warned Osama Bin Laden against a large-scale attack against the U.S.[58] It was rumored that the LIFG formally merged with AQ in November 2007 after an announcement by Abu Yahya al-Libi and Ayman al-Zawahiri; however, senior leaders of the LIFG refused to acknowledge the merger and claimed that Libi did not have the authority to declare allegiance to AQ.[59] The distinctions between the LIFG and AQ grew after the LIFG published its 2009 “Revisionist Studies of the Concepts of Jihad, Verification, and Judgment of People” that directly challenged AQ strategies and objectives.[60]
LIFG fighters may have also cooperated with Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI). The LIFG condemned the U.S. for its occupation of Iraq and agreed with AQ that a defensive jihad against the U.S. was necessary.[61] Documents seized in Sinjar, Iraq, claim that over 100 Libyans from LIFG strongholds in eastern Libya moved to Iraq to join AQI between 2006 and 2007.[62] It is unclear whether LIFG leadership directed this movement.[63]
The LIFG had limited interaction with other groups, but it did attempt to work with other militant groups in the region. It attempted unsuccessfully to work with the Groupe Islamique Arme (GIA) in the early 1990s. Relations between the two groups turned hostile when the GIA allegedly killed a group of LIFG fighters sent to work with the GIA.[64] The LIFG successfully worked with the Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group (GICM) to plan the May 2003 Casablanca bombings.[65]
The British government allegedly helped support the LIFG’s campaign against the Qaddafi regime, though there has not been independent confirmation of these claims.[66] According to David Shayler, an ex-MI5 officer, British Intelligence were aware of the February 1996 plot to assassinate Qaddafi and may have provided financial backing for the plot.[67]
[1] Abedin, Mahan. “From Mujahid to Activist: An Interview with Libyan Veteran of the Afghan Jihad.” The Jamestown Foundation. 22 March 2005. Jan. 2017.
[2] Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016; Maghraoui, Abdelslam. “Morocco’s Reforms after the Casablanca Bombings.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 26 Aug. 2008. Web. Feb. 2017.
[3] Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[4] Takeyh, Ray. “Qadhafi’s Libya and The Prospect of Islamic Succession.” Council on Foreign Relations, 1 Feb. 2000. Web. Jan. 2016.
[5] Solomon, Hussein. “Political Islam and the state in Africa: the case of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group.” Religious ideas and Institutions: Transitions to Democracy in Africa. Eds. Edmond Keller and Ruth Lyob. Pretoria: Unisa Press, 2012. 138; Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[6] Gunaratna, Rohan and Oreg, Aviv. The Global Jihad Movement. Maryland: Rowan and Littlefiedl, 2015. 217; Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[7] Solomon, Hussein. “Political Islam and the state in Africa: the case of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group.” Religious ideas and Institutions: Transitions to Democracy in Africa. Eds. Edmond Keller and Ruth Lyob. Pretoria: Unisa Press, 2012. 135; Pargeter, Alison. “Political Islam in Libya.” The Jamestown Foundation, 24 March 2005. Web. Jan. 2017.
[8] Zelin, Aaron and Lebovich, Andrew. “Assessing Al-Qaida’s Presence in the New Libya.” Combating Terrorism Center, 22 March 2012. Web. Dec. 2016; Pargeter, Alison. “Political Islam in Libya.” The Jamestown Foundation, 24 March 2005. Web. Jan. 2016.
[9] Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016; “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Global Security. Global Security, 3 March 2014. Web. Dec. 2016.
[10] Solomon, Hussein. “Political Islam and the state in Africa: the case of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group.” Religious ideas and Institutions: Transitions to Democracy in Africa. Eds. Edmond Keller and Ruth Lyob. Pretoria: Unisa Press, 2012. 135; Pargeter, Alison. “LIFG: An Organization in Eclipse.” The Jamestown Foundation, 3 Nov. 2005. Web. Jan. 2017; Abedin, Mahan. “From Mujahid to Activist: An Interview with Libyan Veteran of the Afghan Jihad.” The Jamestown Foundation. 22 March 2005. Jan. 2017.
[11] Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016; “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Global Security. Global Security, 3 March 2014. Web. Dec. 2016; Pargeter, Alison. “Political Islam in Libya.” The Jamestown Foundation, 24 March 2005. Web. Jan. 2017.
[12] Gunaratna, Rohan and Oreg, Aviv. The Global Jihad Movement. Maryland: Rowan and Littlefiedl, 2015. 217.
[13] Solomon, Hussein. “Political Islam and the state in Africa: the case of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group.” Religious ideas and Institutions: Transitions to Democracy in Africa. Eds. Edmond Keller and Ruth Lyob. Pretoria: Unisa Press, 2012. 142-143.
[14] Pargeter, Alison. “LIFG: An Organization in Eclipse.” The Jamestown Foundation, 3 Nov. 2005. Web. Jan. 2017.
[15] Gunaratna, Rohan and Oreg, Aviv. The Global Jihad Movement. Maryland: Rowan and Littlefiedl, 2015. 217.
[16] Gambill, Gary. “The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” The Jamestown Foundation, 5 May 2005. Web. Jan. 2017.
[17] Zelin, Aaron and Lebovich, Andrew. “Assessing Al-Qaida’s Presence in the New Libya.” Combating Terrorism Center, 22 March 2012. Web. Dec. 2016; Fitzgerald, Mary. “Islamic militant group pledges support to anti-Gadafy rebels.” The Irish Times, 29 March 2011. Web. Dec. 2016; Zelin, Aaron and Lebovich, Andrew. “Assessing Al-Qaida’s Presence in the New Libya.” Combating Terrorism Center, 22 March 2012. Web. Dec. 2016.
[18] Maghraoui, Abdelslam. “Morocco’s Reforms after the Casablanca Bombings.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 26 Aug. 2008. Web. Feb. 2017.
[19] “Foreign Terrorist Organizations.” U.S. Department of State. Web. Dec. 2016; Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[20] Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[21] Zelin, Aaron and Lebovich, Andrew. “Assessing Al-Qaida’s Presence in the New Libya.” Combating Terrorism Center, 22 March 2012. Web. Dec. 2016; Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[22] Blair, David. “Extremist group announces split from al-Qaeda.” The Telegraph, 9 July 2009. Web. Dec. 2016; Cilluffo, Frank and Evert, Jordan. “Reflections on Jihad: A Former Leader’s Perspective.” Interview with Noman Benotman, Homeland Security Policy Institute. George Washington University, 16 Oct. 2009. Web. Dec. 2016; Zelin, Aaron and Lebovich, Andrew. “Assessing Al-Qaida’s Presence in the New Libya.” Combating Terrorism Center, 22 March 2012. Web. Dec. 2016.
[23] Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016; Robertson, Nic and Cruickshank, Paul. “New jihad code threatens al Qaeda.” CNN, 10 Nov. 2009. Web. Dec. 2016.
[24] “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Global Security. Global Security, 3 March 2014. Web. Dec. 2016; Robertson, Nic and Cruickshank, Paul. “New jihad code threatens al Qaeda.” CNN, 10 Nov. 2009. Web. Dec. 2016; Black, Ian. “The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group - From al-Qaida to the Arab spring.” The Guardian. The Guardian, 5 Sept. 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[25] Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[26] Black, Ian. “The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group - From al-Qaida to the Arab spring.” The Guardian. The Guardian, 5 Sept. 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[27] Benotman, Noman and Jason Pack and James Brandon. “Islamists.” The 2011 Libyan Uprisings and the Struggle for the Post-Qadhafi Future. Ed. Jason Pack. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.
[28] Solomon, Hussein. “Political Islam and the state in Africa: the case of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group.” Religious ideas and Institutions: Transitions to Democracy in Africa. Eds. Edmond Keller and Ruth Lyob. Pretoria: Unisa Press, 2012. 138.
[29] Cilluffo, Frank and Evert, Jordan. “Reflections on Jihad: A Former Leader’s Perspective.” Interview with Noman Benotman, Homeland Security Policy Institute. George Washington University, 16 Oct. 2009. Web. Dec. 2016.
[30] Fitzgerald, Mary. “Islamic militant group pledges support to anti-Gadafy rebels.” The Irish Times, 29 March 2011. Web. Dec. 2016; Solomon, Hussein. “Political Islam and the state in Africa: the case of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group.” Religious ideas and Institutions: Transitions to Democracy in Africa. Eds. Edmond Keller and Ruth Lyob. Pretoria: Unisa Press, 2012. 138.
[31] “Libya’s Belhadj quits military post for politics.” BBC World News, 15 May, 2012. Web. Dec. 2016; “Profile: Libyan rebel commander Abdel Hakim Belhadj.” BBC World News, 4 July 2012. Web. Dec. 2016; “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Global Security. Global Security, 3 March 2014. Web. Dec. 2016; Black, Ian. “The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group - From al-Qaida to the Arab spring.” The Guardian. The Guardian, 5 Sept. 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[32] Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016; “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Global Security. Global Security, 3 March 2014. Web. Dec. 2016; “Sami al-Saadi.” The Rendition Project. The University of Kent. Web. Feb. 2017.
[33] Black, Ian. “The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group - From al-Qaida to the Arab spring.” The Guardian. The Guardian, 5 Sept. 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[34] “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Global Security. Global Security, 3 March 2014. Web. Dec. 2016.
[35] Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016; “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Global Security. Global Security, 3 March 2014. Web. Dec. 2016.
[36] Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[37] Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[38] Joscelyn, Thomas. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group leader ambushed by Qaddafi’s forces.” FDD’s Long War Journal, 21 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[39] Gambill, Gary. “The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Terrorism Monitor, Volume 3, Issue 6. The Jamestown Foundation, 24 March 2005. Web. Dec. 2016.
[40] Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016; “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Global Security. Global Security, 3 March 2014. Web. Dec. 2016.
[41] Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[42] Zelin, Aaron and Lebovich, Andrew. “Assessing Al-Qaida’s Presence in the New Libya.” Combating Terrorism Center, 22 March 2012. Web. Dec. 2016.
[43] Solomon, Hussein. “Political Islam and the state in Africa: the case of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group.” Religious ideas and Institutions: Transitions to Democracy in Africa. Eds. Edmond Keller and Ruth Lyob. Pretoria: Unisa Press, 2012. 138.
[44] Zelin, Aaron and Lebovich, Andrew. “Assessing Al-Qaida’s Presence in the New Libya.” Combating Terrorism Center, 22 March 2012. Web. Dec. 2016.
[45] Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016; Robertson, Nic and Cruickshank, Paul. “New jihad code threatens al Qaeda.” CNN, 10 Nov. 2009. Web. Dec. 2016.
[46] “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Global Security. Global Security, 3 March 2014. Web. Dec. 2016; Robertson, Nic and Cruickshank, Paul. “New jihad code threatens al Qaeda.” CNN, 10 Nov. 2009. Web. Dec. 2016; Black, Ian. “The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group - From al-Qaida to the Arab spring.” The Guardian. The Guardian, 5 Sept. 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[47] “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Global Security. Global Security, 3 March 2014. Web. Dec. 2016; Fitzgerald, Mary. “Islamic militant group pledges support to anti-Gadafy rebels.” The Irish Times, 29 March 2011. Web. Dec. 2016; Abedin, Mahan. “From Mujahid to Activist: An Interview with Libyan Veteran of the Afghan Jihad.” The Jamestown Foundation. 22 March 2005. Jan. 2017.
[48] “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Global Security. Global Security, 3 March 2014. Web. Dec. 2016; Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[49] Blair, David. “Extremist group announces split from al-Qaeda.” The Telegraph, 9 July 2009. Web. Dec. 2016.
[50] Abedin, Mahan. “From Mujahid to Activist: An Interview with Libyan Veteran of the Afghan Jihad.” The Jamestown Foundation. 22 March 2005. Jan. 2017. https://jamestown.org/interview/from-mujahid-to-activist-an-interview-wi...
[51] Solomon, Hussein. “Political Islam and the state in Africa: the case of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group.” Religious ideas and Institutions: Transitions to Democracy in Africa. Eds. Edmond Keller and Ruth Lyob. Pretoria: Unisa Press, 2012. 135.
[52] Solomon, Hussein. “Political Islam and the state in Africa: the case of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group.” Religious ideas and Institutions: Transitions to Democracy in Africa. Eds. Edmond Keller and Ruth Lyob. Pretoria: Unisa Press, 2012. 135.
[53] Solomon, Hussein. “Political Islam and the state in Africa: the case of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group.” Religious ideas and Institutions: Transitions to Democracy in Africa. Eds. Edmond Keller and Ruth Lyob. Pretoria: Unisa Press, 2012. 135.
[54] Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016; Maghraoui, Abdelslam. “Morocco’s Reforms after the Casablanca Bombings.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 26 Aug. 2008. Web. Feb. 2017.
[55] Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[56] Zelin, Aaron and Lebovich, Andrew. “Assessing Al-Qaida’s Presence in the New Libya.” Combating Terrorism Center, 22 March 2012. Web. Dec. 2016; Fitzgerald, Mary. “Islamic militant group pledges support to anti-Gadafy rebels.” The Irish Times, 29 March 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[57] Zelin, Aaron and Lebovich, Andrew. “Assessing Al-Qaida’s Presence in the New Libya.” Combating Terrorism Center, 22 March 2012. Web. Dec. 2016.
[58]Zelin, Aaron and Lebovich, Andrew. “Assessing Al-Qaida’s Presence in the New Libya.” Combating Terrorism Center, 22 March, 2012. Web. Dec. 2016.
[59] Blair, David. “Extremist group announces split from al-Qaeda.” The Telegraph, 9 July 2009. Web. Dec. 2016; Cilluffo, Frank and Evert, Jordan. “Reflections on Jihad: A Former Leader’s Perspective.” Interview with Noman Benotman, Homeland Security Policy Institute. George Washington University, 16 Oct. 2009. Web. Dec. 2016; Zelin, Aaron and Lebovich, Andrew. “Assessing Al-Qaida’s Presence in the New Libya.” Combating Terrorism Center, 22 March 2012. Web. Dec. 2016.
[60] Robertson, Nic and Cruickshank, Paul. “New jihad code threatens al Qaeda.” CNN, 10 Nov. 2009. Web. Dec. 2016.
[61] Zelin, Aaron and Lebovich, Andrew. “Assessing Al-Qaida’s Presence in the New Libya.” Combating Terrorism Center, 22 March 2012. Web. Dec. 2016.
[62] Witter, David. “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Understanding War. The Institute for the Study of War, 8 April 2011. Web. Dec. 2016.
[63] Zelin, Aaron and Lebovich, Andrew. “Assessing Al-Qaida’s Presence in the New Libya.” Combating Terrorism Center, 22 March 2012. Web. Dec. 2016.
[64] Pargeter, Alison. “LIFG Revisions Unlikely to Reduce Jihadist Violence.” Combating Terrorism Center, 3 Oct. 2009. Web. Dec. 2016.
[65] “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Global Security. Global Security, 3 March 2014. Web. Dec. 2016.
[66] Gambill, Gary. “The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Terrorism Monitor, Volume 3, Issue 6. The Jamestown Foundation, 24 March 2005. Web. Dec. 2016.
[67] Gambill, Gary. “The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).” Terrorism Monitor, Volume 3, Issue 6. The Jamestown Foundation, 24 March 2005. Web. Dec. 2016; Bright, Martin. “MI6 ‘halted bid to arrest Bin Laden.’” The Guardian, 9 Nov. 2002. Web. 5 July 2018; Sloan, Alastair. “Libya and the Manchester connection.” Al Jazeera, 29 May 2017. Web. 5 July 2018.