In accordance with paragraph 13 of resolution 1822 (2008) and subsequent related resolutions, the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee makes accessible a narrative summary of reasons for the listing for individuals, groups, undertakings and entities included in the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List.
Ansar al Charia Benghazi was listed on 19 November 2014 pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 4 of resolution 2161 (2014) as being associated with Al-Qaida for “participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf of, or in support of”, “supplying, selling or transferring arms and related materiel”, “recruiting for” and “otherwise supporting acts or activities of" the Organization of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (QDe.014), Al Mourabitoun (QDe.141), Ansar al-Shari’a in Tunisia (AAS-T) (QDe.143) and Ansar al Charia Derna (QDe.145).
Ansar al Charia Benghazi is an armed group that was formed in February 2012. This group is linked to the Organization of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (QDe.014), to Al Mourabitoun (QDe.141) and Ansar al-Shari’a in Tunisia (AAS-T) (QDe.143) with which it has worked closely. It also cooperates closely with Ansar al Charia Derna (QDe.145).
On 11 September 2012, Ansar al Charia Benghazi took part in the attack against the Consulate of the United States in Benghazi, causing the death of four American citizens, including the Ambassador of the United States to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens. In 2012, the leader of Ansar al Charia Benghazi announced the group’s support and adherence to the ideology of Al-Qaida (QDe.004).
Since 2012, Ansar al Charia Benghazi controls several terrorist training camps, mainly for the benefit of Al-Qaida-associated groups operating in Syria and Iraq and, to a lesser extent, in Mali. At least 12 of the 28 individuals involved in the In Amenas attack on the gas field of Tiguentourine (In Amenas, Algeria) by Al Mourabitoun and Al Mouakaoune Biddam (QDe.139) in January 2013, were trained during the summer of 2012 in the camps run by Ansar al Charia Benghazi. Mokhtar Belmokhtar (QDi.136) claimed responsibility for the In Amenas attack. In 2013, Ansar al Charia Benghazi also provided training and logistical support to AQIM.
Between 2011 and 2014, Ansar al Charia Benghazi has conducted many terrorist attacks and assassinations, targeting local security forces in Benghazi, and is responsible for hundreds of victims. However, until July 2014 the group had abstained from claiming responsibility for those attacks in order to conceal its actions and to present itself as a credible actor on the Libyan political scene.
Ansar al Charia Benghazi is also believed to have been involved in the first suicide bombings which targeted the Libyan security forces on 22 December 2013 and in the double suicide attack against the Libyan security forces on 22 July 2014. AQIM supported these attacks.