Ismail al-Salabi - Revision history

Rolly: updated page

2026-01-24T05:43:07Z

updated page

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:13, 24 January 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{~~Orphan~~\|~~date=March 2018~~}}		{{Short description\|Islamist militant leader in Libya}}
			'''Ismail Mohammed al-Salabi''' ({{langx\|ar\|سماعيل محمد الصلابي}}) is a Libyan citizen and Islamist militant leader who has deep rooted ties to the Libyan [[Muslim Brotherhood]]. He was the commander of the rebel forces in [[Benghazi]] under the 17 February Brigade.
	'''Ismail al-Salabi''' is a Libyan citizen and Islamist militant leader who has deep rooted ties to the Libyan [[Muslim Brotherhood]]. He was the commander of the rebel forces in [[Benghazi]] under the 17 February Brigade.

	== Biography ==		== Biography ==
	Al-Salabi is 39 years old from the Barga suburb of Benghazi. He was arrested in 1997 by the Gaddafi administration for his participation in a Benghazi-based clandestine network that offered shelter for Islamist rebels, including ones that were linked to the [[al-Qaeda]] linked [[Libyan Islamic Fighting Group\|Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG)]]. He was sentenced to 6 years in the [[Abu Salim prison]], where he became an [[Islamism\|Islamist]] activist, and befriended the Belhadj brothers, one of whom was a [[Jihadism\|jihadist]] that fought in [[Afghanistan]] and an LIFG commander before the 2011 civil war in [[Libya]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news\|url=https://jamestown.org/brief/may-2016-briefs-free/#.V588FbgrLIU\|title=May 2016 Briefs (Free) - Jamestown\|newspaper=Jamestown\|language=en-US\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> Prior to his political involvement, Salabi was a businessman, but after the outbreak of the [[Libyan Civil War (2011)\|Libyan Civil War]], he became characterized for his role as a military commander of the Islamist rebel groups.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web\|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE78308520110904?sp=true\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201014227/http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE78308520110904?sp=true\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=2016-12-01\|title=Libyan Islamist says interim council should quit\|last=Farge\|first=Emma\|date=\|website=af.reuters.com\|publisher=\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://jamestown.org/brief/may-2016-briefs-free/#.V588FbgrLIU\|title=May 2016 Briefs (Free) - Jamestown\|newspaper=Jamestown\|language=en-US\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref>		Al-Salabi is 39 years old from the Barga suburb of Benghazi. He was arrested in 1997 by the Gaddafi administration for his participation in a Benghazi-based clandestine network that offered shelter for Islamist rebels, including ones that were linked to the [[al-Qaeda]] linked [[Libyan Islamic Fighting Group\|Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG)]]. He was sentenced to 6 years in the [[Abu Salim prison]], where he became an [[Islamism\|Islamist]] activist, and befriended the Belhadj brothers, one of whom was a [[Jihadism\|jihadist]] that fought in [[Afghanistan]] and an LIFG commander before the 2011 civil war in [[Libya]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news\|url=https://jamestown.org/brief/may-2016-briefs-free/#.V588FbgrLIU\|title=May 2016 Briefs (Free) - Jamestown\|newspaper=Jamestown\|language=en-US\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> Prior to his political involvement, Salabi was a businessman, but after the outbreak of the [[Libyan Civil War (2011)\|Libyan Civil War]], he became characterized for his role as a military commander of the Islamist rebel groups.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web\|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE78308520110904?sp=true\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201014227/http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE78308520110904?sp=true\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=2016-12-01\|title=Libyan Islamist says interim council should quit\|last=Farge\|first=Emma\|date=\|website=af.reuters.com\|publisher=\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://jamestown.org/brief/may-2016-briefs-free/#.V588FbgrLIU\|title=May 2016 Briefs (Free) - Jamestown\|newspaper=Jamestown\|language=en-US\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref>

	Al-Salabi has strong familial links to the Muslim Brotherhood in Libya. His father, Mohammed al-Salabi was a founding member of the Muslim Brotherhood in Libya during the 1960s.<ref name=":0" /> Salabi's brother, [[Ali al-Sallabi\|Ali al-Salabi]], is regarded as one of the most prominent leaders and thinkers in the Libyan Muslim Brotherhood, as well as the overall Islamist movement in Libya.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.africaintelligence.com/MCE/power-brokers/2016/10/20/brothers-threatened-by-split,108186293-ART\|title="Brothers" threatened by split - LIBYA - Maghreb Confidential 20/10/2016\|website=www.africaintelligence.com\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://jamestown.org/brief/may-2016-briefs-free/#.V588FbgrLIU\|title=May 2016 Briefs (Free) - Jamestown\|newspaper=Jamestown\|language=en-US\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.skynewsarabia.com/web/article/684205/%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B6%D9%89\|title=ليبيا.. "الجيش" في مواجهة "الفوضى"\|newspaper=Sky News Arabia\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref>		Al-Salabi has strong familial links to the Muslim Brotherhood in Libya. His father, Mohammed al-Salabi was a founding member of the Muslim Brotherhood in Libya during the 1960s.<ref name=":0" /> Salabi's brother, [[Ali al-Sallabi\|Ali al-Salabi]], is regarded as one of the most prominent leaders and thinkers in the Libyan Muslim Brotherhood, as well as the overall Islamist movement in Libya.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.africaintelligence.com/MCE/power-brokers/2016/10/20/brothers-threatened-by-split,108186293-ART\|title="Brothers" threatened by split - LIBYA - Maghreb Confidential 20/10/2016\|website=www.africaintelligence.com\|date=20 October 2016 \|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://jamestown.org/brief/may-2016-briefs-free/#.V588FbgrLIU\|title=May 2016 Briefs (Free) - Jamestown\|newspaper=Jamestown\|language=en-US\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.skynewsarabia.com/web/article/684205/%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B6%D9%89\|title=ليبيا.. "الجيش" في مواجهة "الفوضى"\|newspaper=Sky News Arabia\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref>

	== Beliefs ==		== Beliefs ==
	In the early on sought of the Libyan Civil War, Salabi took a stand against emerging secular groups, whom he said were giving Islamists a bad reputation that was creating political divisions that were benefiting [[Muammar Gaddafi]].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/world/middleeast/attack-by-fringe-group-highlights-the-problem-of-libya-militias.html\|title=Attack by Fringe Group Highlights the Problem of Libya Militias\|~~last~~=Zway\|~~first~~=David D. Kirkpatrick, Suliman Ali\|date=2012-09-15\|last2=Fahim\|first2=Kareem\|newspaper=The New York Times\|issn=0362-4331\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> However, both he and his brother have expressed their belief that Islamic [[Sharia\|sharia law]] requires a democratic, constitutional government.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/libye/article/2011/08/30/ismail-al-salabi-petit-commercant-activiste-islamiste-et-chef-de-guerre_1565320_1496980.html\|title=Ismaïl Al-Salabi, petit commerçant, activiste islamiste et chef de guerre\|date=2011-08-30\|newspaper=Le Monde.fr\|language=fr\|issn=1950-6244\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> Additionally, In the aftermath of the revolution and war, Salabi advocated for the unfreezing of Gaddafi's assets to be given to Libya and used for the Libyan people for things such as education, medical aid, and security.<ref name=":0" />		In the early on sought of the Libyan Civil War, Salabi took a stand against emerging secular groups, whom he said were giving Islamists a bad reputation that was creating political divisions that were benefiting [[Muammar Gaddafi]].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/world/middleeast/attack-by-fringe-group-highlights-the-problem-of-libya-militias.html\|title=Attack by Fringe Group Highlights the Problem of Libya Militias\|last1=Zway\|first1=David D. Kirkpatrick, Suliman Ali\|date=2012-09-15\|last2=Fahim\|first2=Kareem\|newspaper=The New York Times\|issn=0362-4331\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> However, both he and his brother have expressed their belief that Islamic [[Sharia\|sharia law]] requires a democratic, constitutional government.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/libye/article/2011/08/30/ismail-al-salabi-petit-commercant-activiste-islamiste-et-chef-de-guerre_1565320_1496980.html\|title=Ismaïl Al-Salabi, petit commerçant, activiste islamiste et chef de guerre\|date=2011-08-30\|newspaper=Le Monde.fr\|language=fr\|issn=1950-6244\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> Additionally, In the aftermath of the revolution and war, Salabi advocated for the unfreezing of Gaddafi's assets to be given to Libya and used for the Libyan people for things such as education, medical aid, and security.<ref name=":0" />

	== Leadership of Libyan rebels ==		== Leadership of Libyan rebels ==
	Ismail al-Salabi is most known for his role as the military commander of the Libyan Islamist fighters, known as the February 17 brigade.[[# edn12\|[xii]]] Under his leadership, they defended Benghazi against Muammar Gaddafi's forces, and are often credited with leading a successful final defense attempt of Benghazi, where the uprising began. He originally commanded over 3,000 Islamist fighters, and reports up to the Interior Ministry of the [[National Transitional Council\|National Transitional Council (NTC)]] in Tripoli.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Citation\|last=SUPER STORM WAVE\|title=حميد صافي وبرنامج حوار ليبيا وضيفه القائد الميداني سماعيل الصلابي\|date=2013-06-28\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MzfGVNfvWE\|accessdate=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite ~~web~~\|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/libya-militia-leader-heat-seeking-missiles-other-weapons-stolen-during-firefight/2012/09/24/8ab6f992-0675-11e2-afff-d6c7f20a83bf_story.html\|title=Libya militia leader: Heat-seeking missiles, other weapons stolen during firefight\|~~website~~=Washington Post\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref>		Ismail al-Salabi is most known for his role as the military commander of the Libyan Islamist fighters, known as the February 17 brigade.[[# edn12\|[xii]]] Under his leadership, they defended Benghazi against Muammar Gaddafi's forces, and are often credited with leading a successful final defense attempt of Benghazi, where the uprising began. He originally commanded over 3,000 Islamist fighters, and reports up to the Interior Ministry of the [[National Transitional Council\|National Transitional Council (NTC)]] in Tripoli.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Citation\|last=SUPER STORM WAVE\|title=حميد صافي وبرنامج حوار ليبيا وضيفه القائد الميداني سماعيل الصلابي\|date=2013-06-28\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MzfGVNfvWE\|accessdate=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/libya-militia-leader-heat-seeking-missiles-other-weapons-stolen-during-firefight/2012/09/24/8ab6f992-0675-11e2-afff-d6c7f20a83bf_story.html\|title=Libya militia leader: Heat-seeking missiles, other weapons stolen during firefight\|newspaper=Washington Post\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref>

	[[WikiLeaks\|Wikileaks]] later revealed that he expressed belief that the NTC should step down because of its association of former Gaddafi officials.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://wikileaks.org/gifiles/docs/36/3654691_re-g3-libya-ismail-al-salabi-says-interim-council-should.html\|title=The Global Intelligence Files - Re: G3 - LIBYA - Ismail al-Salabi says interim council should quit\|website=wikileaks.org\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> He also went on to form an independent command brigade, called the [[Rafallah al-Sahati Brigade\|Martyr Rafallah Sahati Brigade]] during the anti-Qaddafi revolution. This brigade was responsible for the death of [[Abdul Fatah Younis\|Abdel Fatah Yunis]], a former general under Gaddafi who led the rebels’ army.<ref>https://www.swp-berlin.org/fileadmin/contents/products/comments/2012C07_sbg.pdf</ref> His rebel group was known to be receiving significant Qatari aid, giving them an increase of power during the conflict. The NTC complained that Qatari support favored the Islamists, which may account for the rift between Salabi and the NTC.[[# edn18\|[xviii]]] His brother was the main distributor of [[Qatar\|Qatar's]] aid and military to the Libyan rebels, notably including his brother.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204002304576627000922764650\|title=Tiny Kingdom's Huge Role in Libya Draws Concern\|~~last~~=Dagher\|~~first~~=Sam\|date=2011-10-17\|last2=Tripoli\|first2=Charles Levinson in\|newspaper=Wall Street Journal\|issn=0099-9660\|last3=Doha\|first3=Margaret Coker in\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref>		He also went on to form an independent command brigade, called the [[Rafallah al-Sahati Brigade\|Martyr Rafallah Sahati Brigade]] during the anti-Qaddafi revolution. This brigade was responsible for the death of [[Abdul Fatah Younis\|Abdel Fatah Yunis]], a former general under Gaddafi who led the rebels’ army.<ref>{{Cite web\| title=Qatar and the Arab Spring \| url=https://www.swp-berlin.org/fileadmin/contents/products/comments/2012C07_sbg.pdf \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229164722/http://www.swp-berlin.org/fileadmin/contents/products/comments/2012C07_sbg.pdf \| archive-date=2012-02-29}}</ref> His rebel group was known to be receiving significant Qatari aid, giving them an increase of power during the conflict. The NTC complained that Qatari support favored the Islamists, which may account for the rift between Salabi and the NTC.[[# edn18\|[xviii]]] His brother was the main distributor of [[Qatar\|Qatar's]] aid and military to the Libyan rebels, notably including his brother.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204002304576627000922764650\|title=Tiny Kingdom's Huge Role in Libya Draws Concern\|last1=Dagher\|first1=Sam\|date=2011-10-17\|last2=Tripoli\|first2=Charles Levinson in\|newspaper=Wall Street Journal\|issn=0099-9660\|last3=Doha\|first3=Margaret Coker in\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref>

	Currently, Ismail al-Salabi is associated with the Benghazi Defense Companies (BDC), a group established to track down criminal followers of the former regime. These groups have been fighting against the polarizing figure, [[Khalifa Haftar\|Khalifa Hifter]], who controls much of eastern Libya. The group's only source of reference for funding and fighting comes from a religious authority that's headed by [[Sadiq Al-Ghariani\|Sheikh Saidq al-Ghariani]], who frequently expresses support for Islamist and jihadist factions in Libya. There is also increasing evidence of affiliations between BDC and al-Qaeda affiliates and coalitions.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://moderntokyotimes.com/?p=5411\|title=Modern Tokyo Times {{!}} A New Threat to ~~Libya’s~~ Stability Emerges\|website=moderntokyotimes.com\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> In his role as one of the most prominent Libyan Islamist militia leaders, he has grown to lead the [[Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries\|Benghazi Revolutionaries’ Shura Council coalition]], which is made up of the most prominent militant Salafist organizations in Libya including [[Ansar al-Sharia (Libya)\|Ansar al-Sharia]], the Libyan al-Qaeda affiliate, the February 17 Brigade, and the Rafallah al-Sahati Brigade, exposing close ties with terrorism.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />		Currently, Ismail al-Salabi is associated with the Benghazi Defense Companies (BDC), a group established to track down criminal followers of the former regime. These groups have been fighting against the polarizing figure, [[Khalifa Haftar\|Khalifa Hifter]], who controls much of eastern Libya. The group's only source of reference for funding and fighting comes from a religious authority that's headed by [[Sadiq Al-Ghariani\|Sheikh Saidq al-Ghariani]], who frequently expresses support for Islamist and jihadist factions in Libya. There is also increasing evidence of affiliations between BDC and al-Qaeda affiliates and coalitions.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://moderntokyotimes.com/?p=5411\|title=Modern Tokyo Times {{!}} A New Threat to Libya's Stability Emerges\|website=moderntokyotimes.com\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> In his role as one of the most prominent Libyan Islamist militia leaders, he has grown to lead the [[Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries\|Benghazi Revolutionaries’ Shura Council coalition]], which is made up of the most prominent militant Salafist organizations in Libya including [[Ansar al-Sharia (Libya)\|Ansar al-Sharia]], the Libyan al-Qaeda affiliate, the February 17 Brigade, and the Rafallah al-Sahati Brigade, exposing close ties with terrorism.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

	He is accused by the Egyptian government of working with Qatar and [[Turkey]] to facilitate the movement of Libyan jihadists to join al-Qaeda and Muslim Brotherhood-aligned rebel groups in [[Syria]], as well as organizing an armed opposition army called the Free Egyptian Army to overthrow the [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi\|al-Sisi]] government in [[Egypt]].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/19368\|title=Egypt: Free Egyptian Army being formed in Libya\|newspaper=Al Akhbar English\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Citation\|last=Sada Elbalad - صدى البلد\|title=مكالمة اسماعيل الصلابى قائد الجيش الحر المصرى ومسئول مخابرات الاخوان بليبيا\|date=2014-04-16\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VadHaVd_NGU\|accessdate=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.elsaba7.com/NewsDtl.aspx?Id=131097\|title=بوابة الصباح : أخطر إرهابى ليبى يعمل لحساب قطر: إسماعيل الصلابى.. جيمس بوند الإرهاب\|website=www.elsaba7.com\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.dostor.org/415049\|title=انفراد بالصور..'الصلابي' يتفق مع إخوان ليبيا على عمليات إرهابية بمصر\|newspaper=جريدة الدستور\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref>		He is accused by the Egyptian government of working with Qatar and [[Turkey]] to facilitate the movement of Libyan jihadists to join al-Qaeda and Muslim Brotherhood-aligned rebel groups in [[Syria]], as well as organizing an armed opposition army called the Free Egyptian Army to overthrow the [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi\|al-Sisi]] government in [[Egypt]].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/19368\|title=Egypt: Free Egyptian Army being formed in Libya\|newspaper=Al Akhbar English\|access-date=2016-11-30\|archive-date=2016-11-26\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126102216/http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/19368/\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Citation\|last=Sada Elbalad - صدى البلد\|title=مكالمة اسماعيل الصلابى قائد الجيش الحر المصرى ومسئول مخابرات الاخوان بليبيا\|date=2014-04-16\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VadHaVd_NGU\|accessdate=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.elsaba7.com/NewsDtl.aspx?Id=131097\|title=بوابة الصباح : أخطر إرهابى ليبى يعمل لحساب قطر: إسماعيل الصلابى.. جيمس بوند الإرهاب\|website=www.elsaba7.com\|access-date=2016-11-30\|archive-date=2016-12-01\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201075906/http://www.elsaba7.com/NewsDtl.aspx?Id=131097\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.dostor.org/415049\|title=انفراد بالصور..'الصلابي' يتفق مع إخوان ليبيا على عمليات إرهابية بمصر\|newspaper=جريدة الدستور\|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref>

	==References==		==References==
Line 27:		Line 26:
	[[Category:Living people]]		[[Category:Living people]]
	[[Category:Libyan Islamists]]		[[Category:Libyan Islamists]]
	[[Category:Muslim Brotherhood]]		[[Category:Muslim Brotherhood members]]
	[[Category:People of the ~~First~~ Libyan ~~Civil War~~]]		[[Category:People of the Libyan civil war (2011)]]
	[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]		[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

->GreenC bot: Rescued 1 archive link. Wayback Medic 2.5

2021-07-05T11:56:04Z

Rescued 1 archive link. Wayback Medic 2.5

New page

{{Orphan|date=March 2018}}

'''Ismail al-Salabi''' is a Libyan citizen and Islamist militant leader who has deep rooted ties to the Libyan [[Muslim Brotherhood]]. He was the commander of the rebel forces in [[Benghazi]] under the 17 February Brigade.

== Biography ==
Al-Salabi is 39 years old from the Barga suburb of Benghazi. He was arrested in 1997 by the Gaddafi administration for his participation in a Benghazi-based clandestine network that offered shelter for Islamist rebels, including ones that were linked to the [[al-Qaeda]] linked [[Libyan Islamic Fighting Group|Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG)]]. He was sentenced to 6 years in the [[Abu Salim prison]], where he became an [[Islamism|Islamist]] activist, and befriended the Belhadj brothers, one of whom was a [[Jihadism|jihadist]] that fought in [[Afghanistan]] and an LIFG commander before the 2011 civil war in [[Libya]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://jamestown.org/brief/may-2016-briefs-free/#.V588FbgrLIU|title=May 2016 Briefs (Free) - Jamestown|newspaper=Jamestown|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> Prior to his political involvement, Salabi was a businessman, but after the outbreak of the [[Libyan Civil War (2011)|Libyan Civil War]], he became characterized for his role as a military commander of the Islamist rebel groups.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE78308520110904?sp=true|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201014227/http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE78308520110904?sp=true|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-12-01|title=Libyan Islamist says interim council should quit|last=Farge|first=Emma|date=|website=af.reuters.com|publisher=|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://jamestown.org/brief/may-2016-briefs-free/#.V588FbgrLIU|title=May 2016 Briefs (Free) - Jamestown|newspaper=Jamestown|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref>

Al-Salabi has strong familial links to the Muslim Brotherhood in Libya. His father, Mohammed al-Salabi was a founding member of the Muslim Brotherhood in Libya during the 1960s.<ref name=":0" /> Salabi's brother, [[Ali al-Sallabi|Ali al-Salabi]], is regarded as one of the most prominent leaders and thinkers in the Libyan Muslim Brotherhood, as well as the overall Islamist movement in Libya.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.africaintelligence.com/MCE/power-brokers/2016/10/20/brothers-threatened-by-split,108186293-ART|title="Brothers" threatened by split - LIBYA - Maghreb Confidential 20/10/2016|website=www.africaintelligence.com|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://jamestown.org/brief/may-2016-briefs-free/#.V588FbgrLIU|title=May 2016 Briefs (Free) - Jamestown|newspaper=Jamestown|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.skynewsarabia.com/web/article/684205/%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B6%D9%89|title=ليبيا.. "الجيش" في مواجهة "الفوضى"|newspaper=Sky News Arabia|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref>

== Beliefs ==
In the early on sought of the Libyan Civil War, Salabi took a stand against emerging secular groups, whom he said were giving Islamists a bad reputation that was creating political divisions that were benefiting [[Muammar Gaddafi]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/world/middleeast/attack-by-fringe-group-highlights-the-problem-of-libya-militias.html|title=Attack by Fringe Group Highlights the Problem of Libya Militias|last=Zway|first=David D. Kirkpatrick, Suliman Ali|date=2012-09-15|last2=Fahim|first2=Kareem|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> However, both he and his brother have expressed their belief that Islamic [[Sharia|sharia law]] requires a democratic, constitutional government.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/libye/article/2011/08/30/ismail-al-salabi-petit-commercant-activiste-islamiste-et-chef-de-guerre_1565320_1496980.html|title=Ismaïl Al-Salabi, petit commerçant, activiste islamiste et chef de guerre|date=2011-08-30|newspaper=Le Monde.fr|language=fr|issn=1950-6244|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> Additionally, In the aftermath of the revolution and war, Salabi advocated for the unfreezing of Gaddafi's assets to be given to Libya and used for the Libyan people for things such as education, medical aid, and security.<ref name=":0" />

== Leadership of Libyan rebels ==
Ismail al-Salabi is most known for his role as the military commander of the Libyan Islamist fighters, known as the February 17 brigade.[[# edn12|[xii]]] Under his leadership, they defended Benghazi against Muammar Gaddafi's forces, and are often credited with leading a successful final defense attempt of Benghazi, where the uprising began. He originally commanded over 3,000 Islamist fighters, and reports up to the Interior Ministry of the [[National Transitional Council|National Transitional Council (NTC)]] in Tripoli.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Citation|last=SUPER STORM WAVE|title=حميد صافي وبرنامج حوار ليبيا وضيفه القائد الميداني سماعيل الصلابي|date=2013-06-28|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MzfGVNfvWE|accessdate=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/libya-militia-leader-heat-seeking-missiles-other-weapons-stolen-during-firefight/2012/09/24/8ab6f992-0675-11e2-afff-d6c7f20a83bf_story.html|title=Libya militia leader: Heat-seeking missiles, other weapons stolen during firefight|website=Washington Post|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref>

[[WikiLeaks|Wikileaks]] later revealed that he expressed belief that the NTC should step down because of its association of former Gaddafi officials.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wikileaks.org/gifiles/docs/36/3654691_re-g3-libya-ismail-al-salabi-says-interim-council-should.html|title=The Global Intelligence Files - Re: G3 - LIBYA - Ismail al-Salabi says interim council should quit|website=wikileaks.org|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> He also went on to form an independent command brigade, called the [[Rafallah al-Sahati Brigade|Martyr Rafallah Sahati Brigade]] during the anti-Qaddafi revolution. This brigade was responsible for the death of [[Abdul Fatah Younis|Abdel Fatah Yunis]], a former general under Gaddafi who led the rebels’ army.<ref>https://www.swp-berlin.org/fileadmin/contents/products/comments/2012C07_sbg.pdf</ref> His rebel group was known to be receiving significant Qatari aid, giving them an increase of power during the conflict. The NTC complained that Qatari support favored the Islamists, which may account for the rift between Salabi and the NTC.[[# edn18|[xviii]]] His brother was the main distributor of [[Qatar|Qatar's]] aid and military to the Libyan rebels, notably including his brother.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204002304576627000922764650|title=Tiny Kingdom's Huge Role in Libya Draws Concern|last=Dagher|first=Sam|date=2011-10-17|last2=Tripoli|first2=Charles Levinson in|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|last3=Doha|first3=Margaret Coker in|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref>

Currently, Ismail al-Salabi is associated with the Benghazi Defense Companies (BDC), a group established to track down criminal followers of the former regime. These groups have been fighting against the polarizing figure, [[Khalifa Haftar|Khalifa Hifter]], who controls much of eastern Libya. The group's only source of reference for funding and fighting comes from a religious authority that's headed by [[Sadiq Al-Ghariani|Sheikh Saidq al-Ghariani]], who frequently expresses support for Islamist and jihadist factions in Libya. There is also increasing evidence of affiliations between BDC and al-Qaeda affiliates and coalitions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://moderntokyotimes.com/?p=5411|title=Modern Tokyo Times {{!}} A New Threat to Libya’s Stability Emerges|website=moderntokyotimes.com|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> In his role as one of the most prominent Libyan Islamist militia leaders, he has grown to lead the [[Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries|Benghazi Revolutionaries’ Shura Council coalition]], which is made up of the most prominent militant Salafist organizations in Libya including [[Ansar al-Sharia (Libya)|Ansar al-Sharia]], the Libyan al-Qaeda affiliate, the February 17 Brigade, and the Rafallah al-Sahati Brigade, exposing close ties with terrorism.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

He is accused by the Egyptian government of working with Qatar and [[Turkey]] to facilitate the movement of Libyan jihadists to join al-Qaeda and Muslim Brotherhood-aligned rebel groups in [[Syria]], as well as organizing an armed opposition army called the Free Egyptian Army to overthrow the [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi|al-Sisi]] government in [[Egypt]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/19368|title=Egypt: Free Egyptian Army being formed in Libya|newspaper=Al Akhbar English|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Sada Elbalad - صدى البلد|title=مكالمة اسماعيل الصلابى قائد الجيش الحر المصرى ومسئول مخابرات الاخوان بليبيا|date=2014-04-16|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VadHaVd_NGU|accessdate=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.elsaba7.com/NewsDtl.aspx?Id=131097|title=بوابة الصباح : أخطر إرهابى ليبى يعمل لحساب قطر: إسماعيل الصلابى.. جيمس بوند الإرهاب|website=www.elsaba7.com|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dostor.org/415049|title=انفراد بالصور..'الصلابي' يتفق مع إخوان ليبيا على عمليات إرهابية بمصر|newspaper=جريدة الدستور|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Salabi, Ismail}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Libyan Islamists]]
[[Category:Muslim Brotherhood]]
[[Category:People of the First Libyan Civil War]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]