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Abu Yahya al-Libi

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There are multiple individuals alleged to be associated with al Qaeda, whose name contains some variation of al Libi (the Libyan); see Al Libi (disambiguation).

Abu Yahya al-Libi (Arabic: أبو يحيى الليبي), (c. 1963[1] - June 5, 2012)[2], born Mohamed Hassan Qaid[3], was an Islamist terrorist and leading high-ranking official within al-Qaeda, and an alleged member of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group.[1][4][5]

He is believed to be able to speak Urdu, Pashto and Arabic[1] and to have used the aliases Hasan Qaiid (Hasan Qayad or Hassan Qayid), Yunis al-Sahrawi,[4][6] and Hassan Qaed al-Far[7]

Al-Libi was a citizen of Libya, who was held in extrajudicial detention in the Bagram interim detention facility.[8] At that time, American counter-terrorism analysts asserted that al-Libi was a member of al Qaeda. al-Libi was one of several high-profile Bagram captives who escaped on the night of July 10, 2005.[4][5][8]

Jarret Brachman, a former analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), states of al-Libi:

"He’s a warrior. He’s a poet. He’s a scholar. He’s a pundit. He’s a military commander. And he’s a very charismatic, young, brash rising star within Al-Qaeda, and I think he has become the heir apparent to Osama bin Laden in terms of taking over the entire global jihadist movement."[4]

Scheuer states of him that "in the last year or so emerged as al-Qaeda's theological hardliner" and an "insurgent-theologian"[5] He was also an official on al-Qaeda's Shariah Committee.[9]

The United States targeted him with a drone strike on June 4, 2012 in Mir Ali where he was killed.[10] However, a senior Pakistan Taliban commander later told The Daily Telegraph that Libi was not caught in the attack. The commander claimed “The vehicle belonged to al-Libi but at the time he wasn’t in the vehicle."[11][12] Another senior Pakistan Taliban commander, however, told Reuters that Libi was killed and described his death as a "big loss."[13]

Background

The nisba patronymic of "al-Libi" suffixed to his name indicates that the bearer or his ancestors were from Libya. Al-Libi was born 1963,[1] but Scheuer believes there is little "information available about al-Libi beyond his record as an insurgent",[14]

Al-Libi went to Afghanistan in the early 1990s[4] and whilst bin Laden is an engineer and al-Zwahiri is a doctor, al-Libi is said to be an Islamic scholar who "spent two years in Africa studying Islam".[4] It is believed after going to Afghanistan in the 90's, he "was sent back to northern Africa to study Islam in Mauritania."[4]

As detailed below, he was imprisoned by both Pakistani and U.S. authorities. He has claimed to have studied Islamic law, history and jurisprudence "for years among excellent and great scholars" who were in the field with al-Qaeda and other Islamist insurgent groups.[14]

It is stated that "When he returned two years later" [from his Islamic studies in Mauritania, Africa], "Afghanistan was no longer a battleground for militant Libyans, but rather a haven: the Taliban controlled most of the country. Mr. Libi’s training in warfare was minimal, and his early work as a preacher rarely touched on militant action, according to the Libyan man who said he had met Mr. Libi in Afghanistan, and who spoke on condition of anonymity out of security concerns. “He started to visit training camps and talk about Shariah,” or Islamic law, this man said in a telephone interview, about “morals, etiquette, how to act.” [4]

Capture and escape

Al-Libi is a citizen of Libya, who was captured by ISAF forces in the Invasion of Afghanistan[1] a year after 9/11 (Pakistani authorities and turned over to American authorities, who eventually put him in the Bagram prison.)[4] and was held in extrajudicial detention in the Bagram interim detention facility.[8] American counter-terrorism analysts assert that al-Libi was a member of al Qaeda.

al-Libi was one of several high-profile Bagram captives who escaped on the night of July 10, 2005.[4][5][8] Early reports on the 2005 escape from Bagram Airbase included al-Libi's name as one of the escapees.[6] Posters around the airbase identified "the Libyan, Mohammad Hassan Abu Bakar" as one of the escapees, but did not mention high-ranking al-Qaeda leader Omar al-Faruq as one of the escapees.[15] – later reports removed the Libyan from the list of escapes and inserted al-Faruq.[16]

On November 4, 2005, al-Libi appeared in a Ramadan video on the Arabic television station al-Arabiya, and mentioned that he had escaped from Bagram.[6]

He was re-listed as an escapee, and as of October 2006 was listed among the Department of Defense's "Most Wanted", and a Terrorist Recognition Card repeated the earlier claim that he was indeed among the four escapees.[1] In addition, the name off the Airbase posters was added as an "alias".[1]

Activities

Al-Libi has produced a series of propaganda videos.[8] On May 30, 2007 a 45 minute video, starring al-Libi came to light.

On June 22, 2008 Abu Yahia Al Libi released a 19-minute video urging Somalis to resist United Nations forces in Somalia.[17]

Bryant Neal Vinas, an American, took part in 2008 with other masked fighters in an al-Qaeda propaganda video featuring al Libi.[18] Vinas was captured in November 2008, and convicted of participating in and supporting al-Qaeda plots in Afghanistan and the U.S.[18][19][20][21]

Al-Libi also appeared in a July 2009 video from al-Sahab entitled, "Swat: Victory or Martyrdom," about the Pakistani military's campaign against Pashtun militias and jihadi groups in the Swat Valley.[citation needed] On March 12, 2011 al-Libi has urged his countrymen to overthrow Moammar Gadhafi's regime and establish Islamic rule, expanding the terror network's attempts to capitalize on the wave of unrest sweeping the region. That was put on in a video posted on a militant website.[22]

Video releases

  • Dec 16, 2005 – Names and Information of Twelve Detainees in Bagram Prison in Afghanistan from Sheikh Abu Yehia al-Libi [1]
  • Dec 21, 2005 – Eid al-Fitr Sermon 2005 Eid al-Fitr Sermon by Abu Yehia al-Libi and Scene of Mujahideen Training Exercises [2]
  • Dec 21, 2005 – A Letter to Abu Musab al-Zarqaw from Abu Yehia al-Libi [3]
  • Dec 27, 2005 – Jihad or Resistance – An Examination of the Exchanging Terms from Islamic Law for Secular, Western Terms by Abu Yehia al-Libi [4]
  • Mar 7, 2006 – A Discussion Concerning the Facts and Claims of Extremism Within Islam by Abu Yehia al-Libi [5]
  • Apr 17, 2006 – Hamas and the Impending Exposure by Abu Yehia al-Libi [6]
  • May 9, 2006 – [7]
  • Abu Yahya al-Libi on May 11, 2006 [8]
  • Abu Yahya al-Libi on Jun. 17, 2006 (English Subtitles)
  • June 2005 – As-Sahab Interview with Abu Yahya al-Libi [9] [10]
  • Light & Fire in Eulogizing the Martyr Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (English Subtitles)
  • Jul 26, 2006 – Labik Video Production: “They Are Coming,” of Mujahideen Training Exercises in Afghanistan and Speeches from Abu Yehia al-Libi [11]
  • Jul 31, 2006 – As-Sahab Video Eulogy from Abu Yehia al-Libi for Abu Musab al-Zarqawi [12]
  • Jihadi Poems
  • Combat, Not Compromise (English Subtitles) transcript
  • Oct 27, 2006 – “The Infidel Karzai Regime and the Necessity of War” [13]
  • Nov 2, 2006 – Abu Yahya al-Libi Video Eulogy for Faruq al-Iraqi Produced by as-Sahab [14]
  • Dec 26, 2006 – Our Battle Between Intensity [of the Past] and the Caution of Tomorrow [15]
  • Feb 1, 2007 – And the Crusade Continues... The AIDs Children in Libya (English Subtitles) [16]
  • Feb 12, 2007 – Labik Productions Presents Selected Pictures of a Shari’a Course Led by Abu Yahya al-Libi in a Mujahideen Training Center [17]
  • Feb 8, 2007 – The Adha Holiday Sermon 1427H
  • Mar 22, 2007 – Iraq: Between Indications of Victory and Conspiratorial Intrigues (English Subtitles) [18]
  • Mar 25, 2007 – To the Army of Difficulty in Somalia (English Subtitles) [19]
  • Apr 30, 2007 – Palestine, an Alarming Scream and a Warning Cry [20]
  • May 30, 2007 – The Tawheed of Saud... and the True Tawheed (English Subtitles) [21]
  • Jun 6, 2007 – Eulogy for Mullah Dadullah (Eulogy for Taliban Commander Mullah Dadullah)[22]
  • Jul 31, 2007 – The Masters of the Martyrs (Of the Masters of Martyrs) [23]
  • Sep 9, 2007 – Dots on the Letters (English Subtitles) [As-Sahab Second Interview with Shaykh abu Yahia Al-Libi] [24]
  • Nov 7, 2007 – The Closing Statement for the Religious Training that was Held at One of the Mujahideen Centers (Final Session of the Shari’a Course Held at a Mujahideen Center). Video. The transcript of this speech is titled 'Balancing Between Jihad and Seeking Knowledge'. Transcript (Apr 19, 2008 – [Eid al-Adha 1428]). video and transcript links, SITE Intel Group on speech
  • Going Forth – Nafeer (Go Forth) Khutbah video more links
  • The Companion
  • Dec 18, 2007 – Trumpet of War – Video[25]
  • Jan 8, 2007 – The Fire of the Magi in the Arabian Peninsula [26]
  • January 20, 2008
  • Feb 11, 2008 – Selected Notifications Of Jihad – Transcript
  • March 3, 2008 – “Companion of the Path”, Abu Yahya Al-Libi Delivers Eulogy for Abu Laith Al-Libi
  • March 10, 2008 – I am Not a Deceiver, Nor Will I Allow Someone to Deceive Me Site institute on speech
  • May 22, 2008 – Abu Yahya al-Libi Derides Moderation of Islam [27]
  • June 23, 2008 – Somalia – No Peace without Islaam UK News article, video part 1, part 2, video discussion, SITE Intel Group on speech

Reports of death

It was reported by Pakistani sources on December 11, 2009 that Abu Yahya al-Libi was killed in a U.S Drone strike in Pakistan; however, later reports identified the man killed as Saleh al-Somali.[23]

On June 5, 2012, U.S. officials confirmed that Libi was among 15 militants killed when a US drone fired four missiles at a militant compound in Mir Ali, North Waziristan.[24] Additionally, The White House later confirmed it.[25]

A senior Pakistan Taliban later told The Daily Telegraph that Libi was not caught in the attack. The commander stated “the vehicle belonged to al-Libi but at the time he wasn’t in the vehicle."[11][12] However, this claim was contradicted by another senior Pakistan Taliban commander who told Reuters Libi was in fact killed.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Terrorist Recognition cards: Afghanistan/Pakistan
  2. ^ Martha Radditz and Muhammad Lila (June 4, 2012). "Drone Strike Targets Top Al Qaeda Leader". ABCNews.go.com. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  3. ^ EL-SHENAWI, EMAN. "Dead or alive: Who is al-Qaeda's Abu Yahya al-Libi?". Al Arabiya News. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j New York Times, Rising Leader for Next Phase of Al Qaeda’s War, April 4, 2008
  5. ^ a b c d Scheuer, Michael F. Part1 and Part 2
  6. ^ a b c BBC News: Key 'al-Qaeda militant' surfaces
  7. ^ SITE Intel Group: SITE Publications – Names and Information of Twelve Detainees in Bagram Prison in Afghanistan from Sheikh Abu Yehia al-Libi
  8. ^ a b c d e "Al-Qaida escapee from U.S. detention in Afghanistan lashes out at U.S. Saudi allies". Boston Herald. May 30, 2007. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved June 5, 2007.
  9. ^ http://news.siteintelgroup.com/component/content/article/6-jihadist-news/510-al-qaeda-official-addresses-libyans
  10. ^ http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/05/world/asia/pakistan-drone-libi/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
  11. ^ a b Crilly and Ul Islam, Rob and Nazar (June 5, 2012). "Al-Qaeda leader Abu Yahya al-Libi target of US drone strike". The Telegraph. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  12. ^ a b "Top al-Qaeda strategist, Abu Yahya killed in Pak drone strike". firstpost.world. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  13. ^ a b . Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/05/us-pakistan-libi-taliban-idUSBRE85412820120605. Retrieved June 5, 2012. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ^ a b "Interview with Abu Yahya al-Libi," http://www.tajdeed.org, June 21, 2006, referenced in Scheuer, Michael F. Part1 and Part 2
  15. ^ 4 terror suspects escape from U.S. base in Afghanistan
  16. ^ Schmitt, Eric; Golden, Tim (December 4, 2005). "Details Emerge on a Brazen Escape in Afghanistan". The New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  17. ^ "Al-Qaida urges Somalis to fight UN". Associated Press. June 22, 2008. Archived from the original on June 26, 2008. Retrieved June 24, 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) mirror
  18. ^ a b Rotella, Sebastian (July 24, 2009). "A young American's journey into Al Qaeda; Bryant Neal Vinas of Long Island, N.Y., tells investigators how he trained and fought alongside terrorists". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 26, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ Rotella, Sebastian and Josh Meyer U.S.-born militant who fought for Al Qaeda is in custody. Los Angeles Times. July 22, 2009.
  20. ^ Rashbaum, William K. and Souad Mekhennet. L.I. Man Pleaded Guilty in Attack on U.S. Base in Afghanistan. New York Times July 22, 2009
  21. ^ "Transcript of Guilty Plea; U.S. v John Doe; Sealed Pages" (PDF). US District Court, Eastern District of NY. January 28, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  22. ^ http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=13126025
  23. ^ "Sources: Drone Killed Top Qaeda Operative". CBS News. December 11, 2009.
  24. ^ BBC News Article
  25. ^ CNN News Article
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