Jihadism in Post-2011 Libya: The Tale of Three Cities: Benghazi, Derna and Sirte

Abstract

After the collapse of the regime in Libya, many groups were formed, and jihadist groups were among those. This thesis focuses on Jihadism in post-Qaddafi's Libya. The research examines the different Jihadist groups, Ansar Al-Sharia and the Islamic State in Libya, and the factor that led to the rise of those jihadist groups. This research mainly concentrates on three Libyan Cities, Benghazi and Derna to the east, and Sirte to the centre. This study aims at understanding the composition of Jihadist groups operating in Libya since 2011 and discuss their significance and relevance in the scene of security fragmentation and state failure. Moreover, this research examines the interception between the different jihadist groups in Libya and the global jihadists organizations and networks, Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Keywords: Al-Qaeda Affiliates, Benghazi, Derna. Jihadism, Jihadist groups Libya, Sirte, the Islamic State.