Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the

Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

12 February 2015

Kalam Solutions

Abu Dhabi

August 2014

Photo 1 - An image grab from a video made available on October 9, 2014, by al-Raya Media Foundation allegedly shows a tank belonging to the Ansar al-Sharia militant group, flying the Jihadist flag, during a battle in the Libyan city of Benghazi

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Table of Contents Glossary of Actors ...................................................................................................................... 4

Organizations ......................................................................................................................... 4

Individuals ............................................................................................................................. 4

Locations ................................................................................................................................ 4

Map of Libya and Provinces....................................................................................................... 5

Map of Libyan Population Density ............................................................................................ 6

Definition of Categorized Events ............................................................................................... 7

Violence in Libya ........................................................................................................................ 8

Libyan Body Count .................................................................................................................... 9

Islamic State Events over Time ................................................................................................. 9

ISIS Background, Situation, Expansion, and Strategy in Libya .............................................. 10

Background .......................................................................................................................... 10

Situation ............................................................................................................................... 10

Expansion .............................................................................................................................. 11

Strategy ................................................................................................................................ 12

Conclusions .......................................................................................................................... 12

Terrorist Events in Libya ......................................................................................................... 14

Week of 8 February 2015 ..................................................................................................... 14

Week of 1 February 2015 ...................................................................................................... 14

Week of 25 January 2015 ..................................................................................................... 16

Week of 18 January 2015 ..................................................................................................... 18

Week of 11 January 2015 ...................................................................................................... 19

Week of 4 January 2015 .......................................................................................................20

Week of 28 December 2014 ................................................................................................. 21

Week of 21 December 2014 .................................................................................................. 22

Week of 14 December 2014 .................................................................................................. 23

Week of 7 December 2014 .................................................................................................... 24

Week of 30 November 2014 ................................................................................................. 24

Week of 23 November 2014 ................................................................................................. 24

Week of 16 November 2014.................................................................................................. 25

Week of 9 November 2014 ................................................................................................... 26

Week of 2 November 2014 ................................................................................................... 28

Week of 19 October 2014 ..................................................................................................... 28

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Week of 5 October 2014 ....................................................................................................... 29

Week of 7 September 2014 ................................................................................................... 29

Week of 17 August 2014 ....................................................................................................... 29

Week of 20 July 2014 ...........................................................................................................30

Week of 15 June 2014 ...........................................................................................................30

Week of 16 March 2014 ........................................................................................................30

Locations of ISIS and Affiliates’ Activites ................................................................................ 31

Photos of ISIS and Affiliates’ Activities ................................................................................... 32

Endnotes .................................................................................................................................. 41

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Glossary of Actors

Organizations Libya Dignity – The military operation led by General Khalifa Haftar commanding the

Libyan Army to rid Benghazi of Islamist militias, he is allied to the internationally recognized

House of Representatives in Tobruk.

Libya Dawn – A coalition of militas based in Tripoli and Misrata, currently under the

command of the now defunct General National Congress.

Libya Sunrise – A faction of Libya Dawn, they are the armed unites operating in western

Libya, stationed in Bin Jawad. Currently, Operation Sunrise is attempting to seize the As Sidr

and Ras Lanuf oil terminals from the Libyan National Army.

Ansar al-Sharia in Benghazi (AAS) aka Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries –

Islamic Militia

Islamic State in Cyrenaica (Barqa) - (MSSI) Majlis Shura Shabab al-Islam – Islamic

Militia in Derna, associated with ISIL, largest ISIL affiliate

Islamic State in Tripolitania – Islamic Militia, associated with ISIL

Islamic State in Fezzan – Islamic Militia, associated with ISIL

Individuals Khalifa Haftar – Head of Operation Libya Dignity, allied to HoR, currently leading the

Libyan Army against Islamist militias in Benghazi

Wissam bin Humaid – Commander of Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries (AAS)

Mohammed al-Zahawi – Former Commander of Ansar al-Sharia in Benghazi, killed in

January 2015

Abu Taleb al-Jazrawey – Yemeni Emir of Islamic State in Derna

Locations Tripolitania (aka Tarabulus) – NW province, capital is Tripoli

Cyrenaica (aka Barqa) – Eastern Province, capital is Benghazi

Fezzan – Southern Province, capital Sebha

Derna – Eastern port city, IS headquarters and training center

Sirte – Central port city, IS in Tripolitania headquarters (Ouagadougou Conference Center)

Bayda – Eastern city, Home to Al-Thinni’s cabinet and Constitutional Drafting Assembly

Bin Jawad – Central city, frontline for the As Sidr and Ras Lanuf oil terminal battles

Sabratha – City west of Tripoli, stronghold for IS in Tripolitania

Sebha – Southwestern city, capital of Fezzan, likely the headquarters for IS in Fezzan

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Map of Libya and Provinces

MAP 1 - MAJOR CITIES AND PROVINCES OF LIBYA

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Map of Libyan Population Density

MAP 2 - LIBYAN POPULATION DENSITY MAP

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Definition of Categorized Events

Armed Clashes – Battles or skirmishes between two armed organizations using but not

limited to light, medium, and heavy weaponry.

Beheading – The act of execution by decapitation.

Human Rights Violations – Acts committed by a group or individual that deliberately

disregard moral principles or norms outlined in international laws such as the United

Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Kidnapping – The forceful abduction and detention of an individual or group.

Murder – The act of intentionally killing another human, this includes targeted killings and

assassinations.

Propaganda/Recruitment – The production of media to deliberately spread the

principles or doctrines of an organization in the attempt to further that organization’s

agenda.

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Violence in Libya

MAP 4 - VIOLENT DEATHS BY LOCATION

MAP 3 - IS EVENTS BY LOCATION

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Libyan Body Count

Islamic State Events over Time

050

100

150200250

300350

400

450500

Jan Feb Mar Apr Ma

y

Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

2014 2015

Murder 20 1 14 7 12 14 77 98 81 79 33 11 29 3

Kidnapping 1 1 1

Human Rights Violation 1 7 36 10 73 30 87 13 4 1

Car Bomb 10 1 1 1 7 3

Beheading 1 1 6 2

Armed Clashes 99 4 91 45 355 381 322 357 214 220 99 85

Nu

mb

er

of

De

ath

s

Number of Violent Deaths by Month

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Jul Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

2014 2015

Propaganda 4 8 2 12 5

Murder 3

Kidnapping 1 1 1 1

Human Rights Violation 1 2 4

Car Bomb 4 3 1 1

Beheading 1 1 1

Armed Clashes 1 1 9 3

Nu

mb

er

of

Eve

nts

Islamic State in Libya Events over Time

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

ISIS Background, Situation, Expansion, and Strategy in Libya

Background

The launch of Operation Dawn in July 2014, by militias based in Tripoli and Mistrata,

provided the catalyst to sufficiently destabilize Libya’s already fragile political and security

situation. During this time, elements of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, long present

in eastern Libya, seized this opportunity to advance their own agenda. Over the past six

months, IS in Libya has grown from a small group of jihadists in Derna, allegedly sent by

ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in mid-September 2014, to an increasingly dangerous

force, with bases of operation within all three of historical provinces in Libya.

Situation

The attack on the Corinthia Hotel in

Tripoli on 27 January shows that the

Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS)

has considerable influence outside

areas originally declared in their

“caliphate.” The coordinated attack

involved at least one car bomb and

two heavily armed gunmen. The two

gunmen, one Tunisian and the other

Sudanese, were able claim nine

victims in the attack. A statement

claiming responsibility for the attack

was quickly released by the media

division of Wilayat al-Tarabulus, the ISIS name for one of the three provinces of Libya.

Following the 2011 revolution, portions of the eastern city of Darnah, a city known for its

sympathies for fundamentalist religious groups, had been under the control of Majlis Shura

Shabab al-Islam (MSSI). Members of MSSI appear to have been the conduit for ISIS

representatives to enter eastern Libya. Reports on social media website began showing

members of MSSI implementing hisbah (accountability patrols) throughout the city, in a

manner mirroring patrols by ISIS members in Mosul and Raqqa. These patrols were first

tendrils of ISIS’s presence in Libya. By mid-September 2014 photos posted to social media

PHOTO 2 - PHOTOS OF THE CORINTHIA HOTEL

RELEASED BY AN ISIS MEDIA DIVISION

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

sites showed several large ISIS parades throughout Darnah. On 3 October 2014, members of

MSSI held a large rally in the center of Darnah declaring baya (alligence) to ISIS and its

leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. It was later noted by Atlantic Council research fellow

Mohamed Eljarh that a Yemeni named Abu Taleb al-Jazrawey was declared emir of the

newly created Wilayat Darnah. This declaration has become the first substantial foothold for

ISIS outside of Iraq and Syria. ISIS representatives have used Darnah as a springboard to

spread its influence throughout the other provinces of Libya.

Expansion

The continued political and military chaos in Libya following the ouster of Muammar

Ghaddafi in 2011 has provided an ideal situation for extremist organizations such as ISIS to

expand throughout Libya. In the months following MSSI’s declaration of allegiance to ISIS in

October, attacks attributed to other ISIS related groups have occurred across all regions of

Libya.

During the week of 9 November

2014, three car bombings and four

beheadings were carried out by

groups affiliated with ISIS in the

eastern province of Barqa.

In December 2014, IS affiliates of the

Tarabalus province took credit for

car bombings outside of the

Diplomatic Security Headquarters in

Tripoli, later detonating a car bomb

outside of the Embassy of Algeria. Later

that month, ISIS in Sirte kidnapped a

group of Egyptian Coptic Christians.

On 3 January, members of ISIS in Fezzan, Libya’s southern promise, attacked a Libyan Army

checkpoint in Sokhna, killing 14 soldiers and two cooks while they were sleeping.

The diversity of recent IS attacks throughout southern and western Libya suggests that IS is

able to circumvent the meager security apparatus present in Libya.

PHOTO 3 - A MAP SHOWING THE THREE

PROVINCES TO BE GOVERNED BY ISIS IN

EASTERN, WESTERN, AND SOUTHERN LIBYA.

THE IMAGE WAS TAKEN FROM A POST

ENCOURAGING ISIS SUPPORTERS TO IMMIGRATE

TO LIBYA.

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Strategy

Aaron Zelin, Richard Barrow Fellow for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy,

recently stated that ISIS in Libya seems to be attempting to follow the same tactics it so

effectively employed in Iraq and Syria last June. Unlike its predecessor al-Qaeda, ISIS has

effectively used media sharing websites such as JustPasteIt, Manbar, and Twitter to

continually update its supporters and potential recruits that it is active in the areas under its

control. These press releases not only show the results of attacks by ISIS affiliates

throughout Libya, but also show the same organizations distributing dawa (charity) to

children and the poor. Like in Iraq and Syria, the considerably well produced media

publications have been used a powerful tool to build both community support for the groupd

and attract new recruits.

In regards to recruitment, ISIS

has recently launched a large

campaign to funnel fighters

from other extremist groups

within Libya. Again, this

follows a similar tactic

employed by ISIS in Syria,

attracting fighters from similar

organizations such as Jahbat al-

Nusra and recruiting them to fight

for the Islamic State. The Islamic

State in Libya’s largest target has been Ansar al-Sharia in Benghazi. ISIS has released a series

of statements urging the seasoned fighters of Ansar al-Sharia to join ISIS’s ranks. This

campaign seems to have started following the announcement of the death of Ansar al-

Sharia’s leader, Mohammed al-Zahawi.

Conclusions

As noted in the 5th edition of ISIS’s online magazine Dabiq, its largest foreign base of support

is Libya. The drastic increase in bombings, kidnappings, and beheadings throughout Libya

by organizations allied to ISIS seems to have proven these claims true. ISIS in Libya has been

able to take advantage of the nation’s post-revolutionary political turmoil to establish a base

PHOTO 4 - A PHOTO FROM AN ISIS PUBLICATION

URGING ANSAR AL-SHARIA MEMBERS TO PLEDGE

BAYA TO ABU BAKR AL-BAGHDADI. THE MEN ARE

SHOWN WEARING THE LOGO OF ANSAR AL-SHARIA

IN BENGHAZI.

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

of support, though to a lesser degree, using the same tactics as in Iraq and Syria. Like in Iraq

and Syria, ISIS in Libya has been able to recruit foreign fighters to join its ranks, as seen at

the Corinthia Hotel. Given heavy military setbacks in Kobane and Mosul, coupled with ISIS’s

heavy campaigning for immigration to Libya, without careful strategic international and

domestic cooperation, Libya could easily play host as the next bastion for Islamic extremism.

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Terrorist Events in Libya

Week of 8 February 2015

Unspecified – On 12 February 2015, ISIS released the newest edition of its Dabiq

magazine. The following is a passage taken from the magazine in which the recently

kidnapped Egyptians in Libya are referenced:

“This month, the soldiers of the Khilāfah in Wilāyat Tarābulus captured 21 Coptic crusaders,

almost five years after the blessed operation against the Baghdad church executed in revenge

for Kamilia Shehata, Wafa Constantine, and other sisters who were tortured and murdered

by the Coptic Church of Egypt. The operation was planned by Hudhayfah al-Battāwī

(rahimahullāh), wālī of Wilāyat Baghdad at the time, alongside the senior military

commander, Abū Ibrāhīm azZaydī (rahimahullāh), both of whom played a crucial role –

through their passion and zealousness – in preserving the morale of the Islamic State

mujāhidīn after the martyrdom of Abū ‘Umar al-Baghdādī and Abū Hamzah al-Muhājir

(rahimahumallāh).”i

Unspecified – On 10 February 2015, the Islamic State released a statement calling for

Operation Libya Dawn fighters to repent to God.ii

An Nawfaliyah – On 9 February 2015, the Islamic State was photographed arriving in An

Nawfaliyah, a city located southwest of Bin Jawad.iii Initials reports suggest that there were

clashes between Libya Dawn forces and ISIS forces.iv

Week of 1 February 2015

Benghazi – On 7 February 2015, a Palestinian man was reported to have died fighting for

the Islamic State in Libya.v

According to SkyNews Arabia, the man entered Libya via a tunnel somewhere along the

Egyptian border.vi

Benghazi – On 6 February 2015, two people were killed and 20 were injured after a car

bomb exploded in the Al Leithi Neighborhood of Benghazi.vii viii

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Mabruk Oilfield – On 4 February 2015, reports emerged stating that “extremists” attacked

the Mabruk Oilfield, approximately 170km south of Sirte.ix The Mabruk Oilfield is operated

by Total Oil and produces roughly 70,000 bbl/d.x

Initial reports suggested that three foreigners were kidnapped, one of whom was French.

France denied that any French citizens were kidnapped, while the Philippines confirmed that

three of their oversea foreign workers went missing.xi Twelve people will killed overall.

Ain Marah - On 4 February 2015, the Islamic State in Cyrenaica released a set of photos

showings its recent troop activity in Ain Marah.

The photos were released just days after clashes occurred between Islamic State forces and

Libyan National Army Forces.xii

Unspecified - On 4 February 2015, the Islamic State in Tripolitania released a set of photos

showing their recent promotional activities somewhere in their self-declared state.

Many of the photos in this release show attendants enjoying themselves at IS-led events.xiii

Unspecified - On 4 February 2015, a Twitter account associated with the Islamic State in

Libya tweeted:

[W]e the #Mujahideen of #IslamicState in #Libya ask #Muslims in #Tunisia,

#Algeria #Morroco what are u waiting for Join #Ummah #Muhammad!xiv

Tripoli – On 3 February 2015, the Information Office of the Islamic State in Tripolitania

released photos claiming an attack on a checkpoint in Tripoli’s Souq al-Jumaa.xv

According to the Libya Herald, the bomb detonated near a building used by the Tripoli

Revolutionaries’ Brigade.xvi Although unconfirmed, the Herald and Al Wasat suggest that

the attack was revenge for the Brigade’s involvement during the attack on the Corinthia

Hotel.xvii

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PHOTO 5 - PHOTOS OF AN IS VBIED ATTACK ON THE TRIPOLI SECURITY

DIRECTORATE

Sirte – According to reports from social media, the Islamic State in Tripolitania turned

Qadhafi's Ouagadougou Conference Center in Sirte into a “command center.”xviii

Week of 25 January 2015

Benghazi - On 29 January 2015, the Islamic State in Cyrenaica released a set of updated

photos of its recent troop activity throughout Benghazi.xix

Benghazi - On 28 January 2015, the Islamic State in Cyrenaica released a set of updated

photos of its recent activity throughout Benghazi.

This set of photos does not show any fighters, but instead displays the effects of the fighting

in the city. Many of the photographed buildings are riddled with bullet holes and are overall

dilapidated.xx

Sirte - On 28 January 2015, the Information Office of the Islamic State in Tripolitania

released photos showing new members in Sirte swearing allegiance to the Islamic State.

According to the Islamic State, the men shown in the photographs are recent Christian

converts.xxi

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PHOTO 6 - CONVERTS OF THE ISLAMIC STATE

Tripoli – On 27 January at approximately 0953 (UDT +2) a VBIED detonated outside of

Tripoli’s Corinthia Hotel. No casualties were reported as a result of the explosion.

Immediately following the blast five gunmen entered the hotel and engaged in a shootout

with local security, leaving at least three guards dead. Witnesses claim that three other hotel

staff members were injured. The Associated Press reported that the gunmen had taken three

to five hostages on the hotel’s twentieth floor.xxii

According to the BBC’s Rana Jawad, security officials of the Corinthia Hotel have been aware

of possible threats for several days.xxiii A tweet posted by an account linked to the Islamic

State in Tripolitania claims that the attack was revenge for the death of Abu Anas al-Libi.xxiv

The user claims that the attack was directed at the Corinthia Hotel because of its popularity

among foreigners. However, hotel staff have stated that the hotel was “approximately 90%

empty.” A security guard told the Associated Press that Omar al-Hassi usually stays at the

hotel with security guards, but that they were not present at the time of the bombing and

subsequent attack.

Twitter users began posting images that allegedly show some of the gunmen who

participated in the attack on the hotel.xxv

The attack on the Corinthia Hotel left at least nine dead.

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Benghazi - On 26 January 2015, the Islamic State in Cyrenaica released a set of photos of

its recent troop activity in the Buhidima Neighborhood of Benghazi.

IS troops can be seen climbing houses, viewing videos, and firing upon their opponents.xxvi

Week of 18 January 2015

Benghazi - On 20 January 2015, IS in Cyrenaica released photos of the distribution of aid in

what they allege to be Benghazi.xxvii

PHOTO 7 - IS PASSES OUT SWEETS TO CHILDREN

Unspecified - On 20 January 2015, the Islamic State in Libya released an open letter to

Sheikh Abdullah and Sheikh Mamoon.xxviii

Unspecified - On 20 January 2015, IS in Cyrenaica released a statement showing their

most recent Hisba activities in eastern Libya.xxix

Benghazi – On 18 January 2015, the Islamic State in Cyrenaica released photos showing

their most recent military activity in Benghazi.xxx

Unspecified - On 18 January 2015, The Islamic State in Libya released a statement dividing

Libya into three distinct regions. The statement also calls for foreign members of the Islamic

State to travel to Libya.xxxi

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PHOTO 8 - IS DIVISION OF LIBYA – TARABULUS, FEZZAN, AND BARQA

Week of 11 January 2015

Tripoli – On 17 January a VBIED exploded Saturday in front of the Embassy of Algeria in

Tripoli, injuring two security personnel.

According to a Libyan security source, the two injured workers, whose condition is not

alarming, were quickly transported to the hospital of the capital.xxxii

Sabratha - On 17 January 2015, the Islamic State in Cyrenaica released photos showing

members distributing clothing and financial aid.xxxiii

Sirte - On 12 January 2015, the Islamic State in Tripolitania claimed responsibility for the

kidnapping of 21 Christians.xxxiv According to The Telegraph:

“On January 3rd, Christian activists in Egypt had reported thirteen of their countrymen

kidnapped in the Libyan town of Sirte, and that seven others had been kidnapped a week

earlier.”xxxv

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PHOTO 9 - PHOTOS OF THE KIDNAPPED EGYPTIANS

Sabratha - On 11 January 2015, the Islamic State in Tripolitania released photos allegedly

showing their Hisba activities somewhere in western Libya. The photos were most likely

taken in Sabratha.xxxvi

Week of 4 January 2015

On 8 January 2015, the Islamic State in Cyrenaica released photos allegedly showing the

execution of two Tunisian journalists.xxxvii

PHOTO 10 - TUNISIANS ALLEGEDLY EXECUTED BY IS IN LIBYA

Benghazi – On 7 January 2015, the Islamic State in Cyrenaica released photos of recent

troop activity throughout Benghazi.xxxviii

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Unspecified – On 4 January 2015, the Islamic State in Cyrenaica released photos showing

the execution of a man they labeled as an apostate.xxxix

PHOTO 11 - "APOSTATE" EXECUTED BY THE IS

Week of 28 December 2014

Benghazi – On 3 January the Islamic State in Cyrenaica posted photos of their recent

destruction to civilian homes throughout Benghazi.

This set of photos contains a photograph showing a civilian who died as a result of the

bulldozing.xl

Sokhna – On 3 January the Islamic State in Fezzan claimed responsibilityxli for an attack on

a Sokhna checkpoint in southern Libya.xlii

According to the Libya Herald, nineteen people were killed in the attack.xliii

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PHOTO 12 - IS IN FEZZAN ATTACKS SOKHNA

Tobruk – On 30 December at approximately 1315 (UDT +2) an explosion occurred outside

the headquarters of the House of Representatives.xliv The House of Representatives currently

meets in the Dar Al Salam hotel. According to the spokesman for the General Chief of Staff,

Ahmed Al-Mismari, the vehicle exploded in the hotel car park and was not a suicide attack as

initially suggested.xlv The most current reports state that a total of 19 people were injured as a

result of the explosion.xlvi

Week of 21 December 2014

Tripoli – According to multiple sources a VBIED detonated outside of the Diplomatic

Security Headquarters in Tripoli in the morning of 27 December. xlviiThe Diplomatic Security

Headquarters is located in the Sidi al-Masry district of Tripoli.xlviii

The jihadist Islamic State (IS) organisation said it carried out the bombing, according to the

US-based monitoring group SITE Intelligence.

"The provincial division of the Islamic State (IS) for Tripoli, Libya, claimed a car bombing at

the diplomatic security building in the capital, and provided a photo of the blast," SITE

said.xlix

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Ajdabiya – On 26 December 2014, a perfume company was damaged by a VBIED early

Friday morning in Ajdabiya. There were no reported casualties.l

Benghazi – On 25 December 2015, an Al Wasat article reported that IS in Cyrenaica

published a video in which an "apostate" is burned alive. The video supposedly takes place in

the Al Leithi Neighborhood of Benghazi. The group claiming responsibility is led by

Mohammed Nus Idrissi. Idrissi was recently released by Jordanian authorities in exchange

for captured Jordanian diplomats.li

PHOTO 13 - A LIBYAN ARMY MEMBER BURNED BY ISIS

Week of 14 December 2014

Tripoli - At approximately 1200 (UDT +2) on 16 December 2014 social media users began

circulating a photo alleging to show a car bomb that exploded near the Security Directorate

Headquarters in Tripoli. According to accounts from social media no casualties were

reported.lii On 17 December 2014, the original source claimed that ISIS claimed

responsibility for the car bomb via a Twitter page.liii

Ajdabiya - On 15 December 2014, a military police building near the eastern gate entrance

to Ajdabiya was targeted and subsequently damaged by an explosive device. Witnesses said

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

that an explosive device was placed under one of the building’s windows and caused damage

to the building while injuring no one.liv

Week of 7 December 2014

Benghazi – On 8 December 2014, the Islamic State in Cyrenaica posed photos allegedly

showing their military progress throughout Benghazi.lv

Week of 30 November 2014

Ajdabiya - At approximately 1125 (UDT +2) on 1 December 2014, a car bomb exploded

outside the Ajdabiya Security Directorate.lvi The security directorate is located near the

Ajdabiya city center on al-Modoryia Road.lvii Initial reports suggest that three to seven people

were wounded.lviii Eyewitnesses reported that the vehicle that exploded was a white

Hyundai.lix

Week of 23 November 2014

The Islamic State (IS) released the fifth issue of its English magazine “Dabiq,” focusing on

the coordinated pledges from jihadi groups in Algeria, Libya, Sinai, Saudi Arabia, and

Yemen, and featuring a message attributed to British captive John Cantlie discussing the

recent attacks in Australia, Canada, and the U.S., as well as musing what he would do as

American President.

In the newest edition, ISIS claims Libya has its strongest presence outside of Iraq and Syria.

It continues to state that “an abundance of arms and the condition of mayhem after Gaddafi

was ideal for jihad.”lx

Derna – On 23 November 2014, The Islamic Army, a militia in Derna, has released photos

of its recent publicity campaign in Derna. Photos show groups of children meeting with

Islamic Army members. In addition, Islamic Army members passed out pamphlets to young

men in Derna’s vegetable market. The photos are similar to those released by ISIS members

conducting “charity” campaigns in Iraq and Syria.

The Islamic Army is one of the strongest militias present in Derna. Last week they were

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

among many foreign groups from across the Middle East to pledge allegiance to ISIS and

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The ISIS magazine Dabiq claims its strongest foreign following is in

Derna.lxi

Week of 16 November 2014

Yemen – On 22 November 2014, a statement was released by spokesmen for Al-Qaida in

the Arabian Peninsula has acknowledged Libyan extremists in Derna pledge to ISIS and its

leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi.

The statement also called for all Libyan “Mujahideen” such as Ansar al-Sharia in Benghazi to

pledge their support for ISIS and Abu Bakr al Baghdadi.lxii

Benghazi – On 16 November 2014, the Islamic State in Libya has released photos of nine

suicide bombers who died in Benghazi. According to the photos, five were Tunisian, two were

Egyptian, and two were Libyans.lxiii

The Islamic State in Cyrenaica also released a statement taking credit for the series of VBIED

attacks on 12 November 2014lxiv, men pledging allegiance to the ISlxv, and photos of a convoy

in Derna.lxvi

PHOTO 14 - IS CONVOY NEAR DERNA

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Tripoli - A group in Tripoli claimed responsibility for the bombings of the UAE and

Egyptian embassies.lxvii The group also posted photos declaring their allegiance to the Islamic

State.lxviii lxix

Week of 9 November 2014

Tripoli - At approximately 06:45 (UDT +2) on 13 November 2014, two car bombs exploded

near the Egyptian and UAE embassies in the Al-Seyaheyya and Zawiyat Al-Dahmani

neighborhoods of Tripoli.lxx No casualties have been reported, though photoslxxi show

significant damage to vehicles and buildings near the embassies. Both embassies have been

vacant since the inception of Operation Libya Dawn.lxxii

Marj - On 13 November 2014, two Libyan National Army (LNA) soldiers and one other were

slightly injured as a result of a bomb attack on a checkpoint in Marj.lxxiii

Mohamed Hejazi, a spokesman for Operation Dignity, told the Libya Herald that a gelatina

bomb had been thrown at the checkpoint at the Saha Al-Karima roundabout, close to the

town’s main Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq mosque.lxxiv The car from which the bomb was thrown then

drove away at speed.lxxv

Ajdabiya – On 12 November 2014, a car bomb was discovered in Ajdabiya and subsequently

dismantled by the Libyan National Army.lxxvi

Al Bayda - At approximately 11:57 (UDT +2) on 12 November 2014, a vehicle carrying

explosives detonated at the military checkpoint outside Labraq International Airport.lxxvii

Eyewitnesses report that after stopping to be searched by security officials, the driver of the

vehicle detonated explosives. Current reports state that four members of the military have

been confirmed killed.lxxviii

27

Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Benghazi - At approximately 12:07 (UDT

+2) on 12 November 2014, Twitter user

@loayomran reported the detonation of a car

bomb outside of the Al Shalal cafe, located in

the Al Majuri neighborhood in central

Benghazi. Eye witnesses report that a vehicle

loaded with explosives was parked on the

street outside the café. Reports indicate that

there were no casualties as a result of the

bombing, however the café and surrounding shops were destroyed. No indication if the café

was the intended target, neighborhoods in central Benghazi have been mostly abandoned

due to continued fighting.lxxix

At approximately 17:01 (UDT +2) another car bomb was discovered in the Ras Obeida

neighborhood of Benghazi.lxxx

Tobruk - At approximately 11:00 (UDT +2) on 12 November 2014, a large car bomb

exploded at a crowded intersection, near the Intelligence Headquarters, in Tobruk. Eye

witnesses report the driver of the vehicle refused to stop at a military checkpoint, continuing

on to a crowded intersection.lxxxi

At approximately, 11:40 (UDT +2) vehicles damaged by the initial blast exploded at the site

of the car bombing. Initial reports suggested a second vehicle was involved in the attack,

however later reports proved that there was not a second vehicle involved.lxxxii

Final reports confirm two people have been killed and at least an additional 20 had been

taken for medical treatment.lxxxiii

Derna – On 11 November 2014, three young activists were found beheaded in Derna,

eastern Libya. The three, who had relayed information about the city through social media,

had been kidnapped earlier in the month. The activists have been named as Siraj Ghatish,

Mohamed Battu and Mohamed al-Mesmari.lxxxiv

Two of the three activists in Derna had been kidnapped three months earlier.lxxxv

PHOTO 15 - VBIED IN BENGHAZI

28

Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Benghazi – On 11 November 2014 a Libyan Army soldier stationed at Benina Airport was

captured, forced to appear on videolxxxvi, and then beheaded.lxxxvii According to Al Wasat, the

group responsible calls itself the “Father of Injustice Battalion”.lxxxviii

PHOTO 16 - SOLDIER BEHEADED IN BENGHAZI

Shahat – On November 9, unidentified persons set off three car bombs in the city of Shahat

in eastern Libya near the building, where the Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni had

talks with special UN envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon. lxxxixEye witnesses claimed the

perpetrators parked vehicle packed with explosives and detonated them remotely. Though

there was significant material damage, no deaths or injuries were reported. The intended

target was the Security Directorate Building.xc

Days later two suspects from Derna were arrested in connection to the car bombings.xci

Week of 2 November 2014

Sirte – The Islamic State in Tripolitania releases photos of lectures given by Turki al-

Bin’ali.xcii

The original release also contains links to Turki al-Bin’ali’s lectures on YouTube.xciii

Week of 19 October 2014

Derna - After pledging allegiance to ISIS, Darnah's Islamic Youth Shura Council (MSSI)xciv

launches an 'Islamic Court'.xcv The group announced that its leader is a Yemeni named Abu

29

Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Taleb al-Jazrawey.xcvi According to Al Wasat, Al-Jazrawey moved to Derna in mid-

September with a number of senior ISIS members.xcvii

PHOTO 17 - MSSI LAUNCHES ISLAMIC COURT IN DERNA

Week of 5 October 2014

Benghazi – On 10 October 2014, a car bomb exploded near the Tibesti Hotel, killing one

and injuring two others.xcviii

Week of 7 September 2014

Benghazi – On 12 September 2014, Tareq Ramadan Misrati was killed by an IED in the Al

Majori Neighborhood of Benghazi. Tareq Misrati was the brother of former intelligence

officer Colonel Juma Misrati who was assassinated in June 2013.xcix

Week of 17 August 2014

Derna – Released on 20 August 2014, a video shows an execution-style killing by an armed

group at a football stadium in eastern Libya. cAn amateur video published on social media

sites shows the purported execution of an Egyptian man apparently organized by an armed

group called the Shura Council of Islamic Youth in the eastern city of Derna.ci

30

Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

PHOTO 18 - PUBLIC EXECUTION IN DERNA

Week of 20 July 2014

Benghazi – On 21 July a militia in Benghazi, Libya, has beheaded a Filipino construction

worker, allegedly for being a non-Muslim, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said

Monday.

The beheading marks the first Filipino death in Libya since the 2011 revolution, according to

the department. It is also the first reported beheading in the country since 2011. The

construction worker was kidnapped July 15 at a checkpoint in the Gwarsha district of

Benghazi.

A department spokesperson told media Monday that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of

$160,000. cii

Week of 15 June 2014

Benghazi – On 19 June 2014, a bodyguard for former National Transitional chairman

Mustafa Abdul-Jalil was killed by an IED.ciii

Week of 16 March 2014

Benghazi – On 17 March 2014, a car bomb targeting a military academy in Benghazi killed

eight soldiers and wounded another 12.civ

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Locations of ISIS and Affiliates’ Activites

MAP 5- - LOCATIONS OF MAJOR IS ACTIVITIES FROM WEST TO EAST: SABRATHA, TRIPOLI, SUKNAH,

SIRTE, AN NAWFALIYAH, BENGHAZI, DERNA.

32

Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Photos of ISIS and Affiliates’ Activities

PHOTO 19 - THE BEHEADING OF A LIBYAN ARMY SOLDIER BY IS

PHOTO 20 - THE CORPSE OF A LIBYAN ARMY SOLDIER BURNED BY IS

33

Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

PHOTO 21 - PHOTOS RELEASED BY IS AFTER A VBIED EXPLOSION

OUTSIDE THE TRIPOLI SECURITY DIRECTORATE

PHOTO 22 - THE DESTRUCTION OF TOMBS BY IS

34

Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

PHOTO 23 - THE DESTRUCTION OF A STATUE IN DERNA BY IS

PHOTO 24 - COMMANDERS OF IS AFFILIATES IN BENGHAZI. FROM RIGHT

TO LEFT - MOHAMMED AL-ZAHAWI (ANSAR AL-SHARIA), WISSAM BIN

HUMAID (LIBYA SHIELD ONE), AND JALAL MAKHZOUM (RAFALLAH AL-SAHATI BRIGADE)

35

Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

PHOTO 25 - IS AFFILIATES FIGHTING THE LIBYAN NATIONAL ARMY IN

AIN MARAH

PHOTO 26 - IS FIGHTERS IN BENGHAZI

36

Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

PHOTO 27 - IS FIGHTERS IN AIN MARAH

PHOTO 28 - AN IS FIGHTER PLANTING A FLAG OVER IS CONTROLLED

TERRITORY IN BENGHAZI

37

Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

PHOTO 29 - A BANNER IN BENGHAZI DECLARING IS'S OBJECTIVE TO

ESTABLISH SHARIA LAW ACROSS LIBYA

PHOTO 30 - A CONVOY OF NEW IS HISBA (MORALITY POLICE) VEHICLES

IN BENGHAZI

38

Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

PHOTO 31 - A CONVOY OF IS FIGHTERS AND VEHICLES IN DERNA

PHOTO 32 - A RALLY AMONG FIGHTERS AND RESIDENTS IN DERNA

39

Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

PHOTO 33 - AN AFRICAN CHRISTIAN CONVERTING TO ISLAM AND

PLEDGING ALLEGIANCE TO IS IN SIRTE

PHOTO 34 - A RALLY OF YOUNG MEN PLEDGING ALLEGIANCE TO IS IN

SIRTE

40

Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

PHOTO 35 - AN IS FIGHTER GIVING DAWA (CHARITY) TO A CHILD IN

DERNA

PHOTO 36 - A CHILD IN DERNA SHOWING SUPPORT FOR IS

41

Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

Endnotes

i "Dabiq 7." February 12, 2015. Accessed February 12, 2015. http://ia601506.us.archive.org/27/items/Dabiq7/Dabiq_7.pdf. ii Nasher.me,. 2015. 'فجر ليبيا .. قتال في سبيل الديمقراطية | ناشر'. Accessed February 12 2015. http://nasher.me/fajrlibya/. iii Twitter,. 2015. 'Islamuntiltheend On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/zholimun_anti/status/564617602828222464 iv Twitter,. 2015. 'Ahmed Sanalla On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/ASanalla/status/564537410831515648 v Twitter,. 2015. 'Good Morning Libya On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/Morning_LY/status/564078582558097408 vi مئات األجانب والعرب بصفوف "داعش" في ليبيا Sky News Arabia,. 2015. 'مئات األجانب والعرب بصفوف "داعش" في ليبيا'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.skynewsarabia.com/web/article/722649/%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%94%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%94%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A8-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A8%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%88%D9%81-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%B4-%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7 vii Louisa Loveluck, Cairo. 2015. 'Benghazi Faces 'Medical Diasaster' As Libyan City Cut Off By Heavy Fighting - Telegraph'. Telegraph.Co.Uk. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/11396855/Benghazi-faces-medical-diasaster-as-Libyan-city-cut-off-by-heavy-fighting.html. viii Reuters,. 2015. 'Car Bomber Kills Two, Wounds Around 20 In Libya's Benghazi: Medics'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/06/us-libya-security-idUSKBN0LA0PH20150206. ix Twitter,. 2015. 'Mohamed Eljarh On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/Eljarh/status/562756943664914434. x Twitter,. 2015. 'James Wheeler On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/wheelertweets/status/562784888987070464. xi "Five Oil Workers Still Missing from Mabruk Oil Field Attack." Libya Herald. February 7, 2015. Accessed February 11, 2015. http://www.libyaherald.com/2015/02/07/five-oil-workers-still-missing-from-mabruk-oil-field-attack/. xii اإلغارة على ثكنات المرتدين في منطقة عين مارة | ناشر Nasher.me,. 2015. 'اإلغارة على ثكنات المرتدين في منطقة عين مارة | ناشر'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://nasher.me/marah6/. xiii جانب من نشاطات المكتب الدعوي في والية طرابلس | ناشر Nasher.me,. 2015. 'جانب من نشاطات المكتب الدعوي في والية طرابلس | ناشر'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://nasher.me/daawi3/. xiv Islam4libya2. February 4, 2015. Accessed February 15, 2015. https://twitter.com/islam4libya2/status/563171801279516672. xv Twitter,. 2015. 'Good Morning Libya On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/Morning_LY/status/562681055585792002/photo/1.

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

xvi "Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade Again Attacked: Report." Libya Herald. February 3, 2015. Accessed February 11, 2015. http://www.libyaherald.com/2015/02/03/tripoli-revolutionaries-brigade-again-attacked-report/. xvii مقتل شرطي وجرح اثنين في تفجير طرابلس .Accessed February 11 2015 .'بوابة الوسط,. 2015. 'مقتل شرطي وجرح اثنين في تفجير طرابلسhttp://www.alwasat.ly/ar/news/libya/59320/. xviii Twitter,. 2015. 'Good Morning Libya On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/Morning_LY/status/561793439940243456. xix Manbar.me,. 2015. ' 2 ضمن مالحم بنغازي .. صور من خط الرباط'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://manbar.me/rebat2. xx Manbar.me,. 2015. ' "صحوات بنغازي .. وآثار الدمار"'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://manbar.me/sahawa4. xxi Nasher.me,. 2015. 'خير لك من حمر النعم( اعتناق ثالثة من نصارى إفريقيا الدين اإلسالمي | ناشر('. Accessed February 11 2015. http://nasher.me/trablos2/. xxii Times of Malta,. 2015. 'New Video, Pictures - At Least Nine Killed In Corinthia Tripoli Hotel Attack, Assailants Killed By Grenade - PM To Make Statement In Parliament '. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150127/local/new-video-pictures-at-least-nine-killed-in-corinthia-tripoli-hotel-attack-assailants-killed-by-grenade-pm-to-make-statement-in-parliament.553624. xxiii Twitter,. 2015. 'Rana Jawad On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/Rana_J01/status/560027880546377729. xxiv "Fulaan_akh." Twitter. Accessed February 11, 2015. https://twitter.com/fulaan_akh/status/559982490434027521. xxv Twitter,. 2015. 'Libyan™ On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/dovenews/status/560054173946093569. xxvi Manbar.me,. 2015. ' بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم دولة الخالفة اإلسالمية...'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://manbar.me/urnft. xxvii Manbar.me,. 2015. ' توزيع الهدايا والحلوى على أطفال بنغازي'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://manbar.me/atfalben. xxviii Justpaste.it,. 2015. 'بسم هللا والصالة والسالم على رسول هللا رسالة مفتوحة إلى... - Justpaste.It'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://justpaste.it/izmy. xxix Nasher.me,. 2015. 'ضمن نشاطات رجال الحسبة إزالة أحد التماثيل وهدم إحدى األضرحة الشركية | ناشر'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://nasher.me/hesba4/. xxx Manbar.me,. 2015. ' تقرير مصور اشتباكات مع جند الطاغوت في عين مارة'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://manbar.me/ma3barqa. xxxi Manbar.me,. 2015. ' حيم) قصة هجرة حمن الر .Accessed February 11 2015 .'...بسم هللا الرhttps://manbar.me/grmmz. xxxii allAfrica.com,. 2015. 'Libya: Ramtane Lamamra Condemns Car Bomb Attack Outside Algeria's Embassy In Tripoli'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://allafrica.com/stories/201501191785.html. xxxiii Justpaste.it,. 2015. 'بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم توزيع كسوة الشتاء ومساعدات مالية... - Justpaste.It'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://justpaste.it/sadaqat_2.

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

xxxiv Justpaste.it,. 2015. ' بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم المكتب اإلعالمي لوالية طرابلس يقد... - Justpaste.It'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://justpaste.it/iv5h. xxxv Cairo, Louisa. 2015. 'Isil Group In Libya Claims Mass Kidnap Of Christians - Telegraph'.Telegraph.Co.Uk. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/11341195/Isil-group-in-Libya-claims-mass-kidnap-of-Christians.html. xxxvi Justpaste.it,. 2015. 'Content Has Been Removed - Justpaste.It'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://justpaste.it/Nsha9hesba. xxxvii Justpaste.it,. 2015. 'Content Has Been Removed - Justpaste.It'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://justpaste.it/2jornalest. xxxviii Justpaste.it,. 2015. 'Content Has Been Removed - Justpaste.It'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://justpaste.it/rebat1. xxxix Justpaste.it,. 2015. 'بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم المكتب اإلعالمي في والية برقة يقدم... - Justpaste.It'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://justpaste.it/estyad. xl Manbar.me,. 2015. ' بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم تقرير مصور عن...'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://manbar.me/taqnasf. xli Twitter,. 2015. 'Good Morning Libya On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/Morning_LY/status/551429333483790337 xlii Justpaste.it,. 2015. 'Content Has Been Removed - Justpaste.It'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://justpaste.it/GazAoth. xliii "Massacre in Sukna: Report." Libya Herald. January 2, 2015. Accessed February 11, 2015. http://www.libyaherald.com/2015/01/02/massacre-in-sukna-report/. xliv Twitter,. 2015. 'بنغازي ستنتصر On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/LIBYA_BREAKNEWS/status/549890839594688512 xlv Twitter,. 2015. 'ANADOLU AGENCY (AR) On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/aa_arabic/status/549891835209199616 xlvi "Car Bomb outside House of Representatives Hotel in Tobruk." Libya Herald. December 30, 2014. Accessed February 11, 2015. http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/12/30/car-bomb-outside-house-of-representatives-hotel-in-tobruk/. xlvii Twitter,. 2015. 'Egypt Speaks On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/egypt_speaks/status/548792251930124289. xlviii Twitter,. 2015. 'Mohamed Eljarh On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/Eljarh/status/548789172744765440. xlix Au.news.yahoo.com,. 2015. 'Car Bomb Hits Diplomatic Security Building In Libyan Capital'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/25864172/car-bomb-hits-diplomatic-security-building-in-libyan-capital/. l Libya-al-mostakbal.org,. 2015. '«Libya Al-Mostakbal»'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.libya-al-mostakbal.org/news/clicked/60647. li بوابة الوسط,. 2014. '»داعش« ينشر تقريرا مصورا لحرق »المرتدين« ببنغازي'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.alwasat.ly/ar/news/libya/53674/. lii Twitter,. 2015. 'Good Morning Libya On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/Morning_LY/status/544794684670087168.

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liii Twitter,. 2015. 'Good Morning Libya On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/Morning_LY/status/545340546676695040. liv العسكرية بمدخل إجدابيا الشرقي'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.alwasat.ly/ar/news/libya/52065/. lv Manbar.me,. 2015. ' بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم صولة لألسود على...'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://manbar.me/saolaa. lvi Twitter,. 2015. 'Mohamed Eljarh On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/Eljarh/status/539350913136484352. lvii Twitter,. 2015. 'لؤي عمران On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/loayomran/status/539354251647283201. lviii Twitter,. 2015. 'لؤي عمران On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/loayomran/status/539356734486487040. lix بوابة الوسط,. 2014. 'انفجار سيارة مفخخة أمام مديرية أمن أجدابيا'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.alwasat.ly/ar/news/libya/50045/. lx News.siteintelgroup.com,. 2014. 'IS Releases 5Th Issue Of English Magazine “Dabiq” | Jihadist News'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://news.siteintelgroup.com/Jihadist-News/is-releases-5th-issue-of-english-magazine-dabiq.html. lxi Manbar.me,. 2015. ' تقرير مصور عن ديوان الحسبة في والية برقة'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://manbar.me/alhsbah. lxii Justpaste.it,. 2015. ' من ليبيا الرد : على ما ذكره الشيخ حارث النظاري بالدقيق... - Justpaste.It'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://justpaste.it/libyarad. lxiii Manbar.me,. 2015. Accessed February 11 2015. https://manbar.me/isteshhade. lxiv Manbar.me,. 2015. ' بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيمالحد هلل معز جند ، وناصر...'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://manbar.me/baeanbarqa. lxv Manbar.me,. 2015. ' بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيمبيعة العشرات من أهالي والية برقة...'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://manbar.me/baeaat. lxvi Manbar.me,. 2015. ' بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم استعراض جيش الخالفة في والية برقة '. Accessed February 11 2015. https://manbar.me/isteraad. lxvii https://www.alplatformmedia.com/vb/showthread.php?t=69352 lxviii بوابة الوسط,. 2014. '»داعش« ينشر صورا لمقاتليه في طرابلس'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.alwasat.ly/ar/news/libya/48232/. lxix Manbar.me,. 2015. Accessed February 11 2015. https://manbar.me/aasaad. lxx Twitter,. 2015. 'Nizar Elennabi.نـزار On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/NizarElannabi/status/532763879869521920. lxxi witter,. 2015. 'Nizar Elennabi.نـزار On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/NizarElannabi/status/532765253449547777. lxxii English.alarabiya.net,. 2015. Accessed February 11 2015. http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/11/13/Car-explodes-near-Egypt-embassy-in-Libya-.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=twitter.

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lxxiii "Bomb Attack on Marj Checkpoint Injures Three." Libya Herald. November 14, 2014. Accessed February 11, 2015. http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/11/14/bomb-attack-on-marj-checkpoint-injures-three/. lxxiv Twitter,. 2015. 'Mohanid Elghadi مهند On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/MElghadi/status/533228558165237760. lxxv بوابة الوسط,. 2014. 'إصابة عنصري أمن في انفجار عبوة ناسفة في مدينة المرج'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.alwasat.ly/ar/news/libya/47428/. lxxvi Twitter,. 2015. 'Majed On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/alwahieshi/status/532617411485523969. lxxvii Twitter,. 2015. 'Mohamed Eljarh On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/Eljarh/status/532472048682299392. lxxviii Twitter,. 2015. 'Mohamed Eljarh On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/Eljarh/status/532479247726968832. lxxix Twitter,. 2015. 'لؤي عمران On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/loayomran/status/532474754629107712. lxxx Twitter,. 2015. 'Libyaalhurra On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/LibyaAlHurraTV/status/532699654291734529. lxxxi Twitter,. 2015. 'Mohamed Eljarh On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/Eljarh/status/532457775918764032. lxxxii Twitter,. 2015. 'Libyaalhurra On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/LibyaAlHurraTV/status/532485635047956480. lxxxiii Twitter,. 2015. 'Mohamed Eljarh On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/Eljarh/status/532466468248907776. lxxxiv BBC News,. 2014. 'Activists Beheaded In Eastern Libya'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-30011640. lxxxv Twitter,. 2015. 'Military Studies On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/ArmedResearch/status/532215243356000256/photo/1. lxxxvi Facebook.com,. 2015. 'Facebook'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=378181275681301&set=vb.100004682946200&type=2&theater. lxxxvii Twitter,. 2015. 'Mutaz Gedalla On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/mutaz20042000/status/532310833863610368. lxxxviii بوابة الوسط,. 2014. 'ذبح متطوع بقاعدة بنينا الجوية'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.alwasat.ly/ar/news/libya/46923/. lxxxix Twitter,. 2015. 'Mohamed Eljarh On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/Eljarh/status/531447615452631041. xc Reuters,. 2015. 'Bomb Explodes In Libyan Town As U.N. Envoy Meets PM Thinni'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/09/us-libya-security-idUSKCN0IT0K920141109?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews. xci Mail Online,. (2014). 2 arrested in bombings near Libya-UN meeting. Retrieved 11 February 2015, from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-2828396/2-arrested-bombings-near-Libya-UN-meeting.html

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Beheadings, Car Bombings, and the Islamic State’s Expansion in Libya

xcii Twitter,. 2015. 'Good Morning Libya On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/Morning_LY/status/551484415382409217. xciii Justpaste.it,. 2015. 'قناة التوحيد تقدم الدورة العلمية لفضيلة الشيخ تركي البنعل... - Justpaste.It'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://justpaste.it/huch. xciv Washingtoninstitute.org,. 2015. 'The Islamic State's First Colony In Libya'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/the-islamic-states-first-colony-in-libya. xcv Twitter,. 2015. 'Good Morning Libya On Twitter'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://twitter.com/Morning_LY/status/524356201535270912. xcvi بوابة الوسط,. 2014. '»داعش« في ليبيا: يمني أميرا على درنة وسعودي يتلقى البيعة للبغدادي'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.alwasat.ly/ar/news/libya/45321/. xcvii YouTube,. 2015. 'بيعة البغدادي في ملتقى مد االيادي - درنة ليبيا'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nttnpy1UcrE. xcviii بوابة الوسط,. 2014. 'قتيل وجريحين جراء انفجار سيارة في بنغازي'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.alwasat.ly/ar/news/libya/41051/. xcix بوابة الوسط,. 2014. 'اغتيال شقيق العقيد جمعة المصراتي في بنغازي'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.alwasat.ly/ar/news/libya/36397/. c Amnesty.org,. 2015. '‘Public Execution’ In Football Stadium Shows Libya’S Descent Into Lawlessness | Amnesty International'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/public-execution-football-stadium-shows-libya-s-descent-lawlessness-2014-08-21. ci YouTube,. 2015. 'Libyan Islamists Hold Public Execution At Soccer Field'. Accessed February 11 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlpA182B7cU. cii Banco, Erin. 2015. 'In Libya's First Known Beheading, Militia Kills Filipino Construction Worker '. International Business Times. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.ibtimes.com/libyas-first-known-beheading-militia-kills-filipino-construction-worker-1634354. ciii "Abdel Jalil Bodyguard Dies after Bomb Attack." Tripoli. June 19, 2014. Accessed February 11, 2015. http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/06/19/abdel-jalil-bodyguard-dies-following-bomb-attack/. civ Aljazeera.com,. 2014. 'Deadly Bomb Blast Hits Libya Army Camp'. Accessed February 11 2015. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2014/03/libya-army-camp-blast-2014317111142983333.html.