Misrata militias fighting for Erdogan’s caliphate dreams

Ahmed Adel

The northwestern Libyan city of Misrata is controlled by a number of militias and terrorist organizations that all make the military arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in Libya.

These militias and organizations back the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) against the Libyan National Army (LNA).

The militias succeeded in having their place on the Libyan stage, using the chaos unleashed by the 2011 bloody uprising against longstanding ruler Muammar Gaddafi. They benefited from the presence of arms in abundance everywhere in Libya.

There are 117 militias in Misrata. Here are the most important militias in the city:

Libya’s Dawn

This is the mother of all militias in the city. It was founded in 2014. It controlled Libyan capital Tripoli in August 2014. A number of other militias then joined it, most of them belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood. This helped the militia control several cities and towns in eastern Libya to the border with Tunisia. It also controlled some of the towns in the southern part of the country. In 2016, the militia declared allegiance to the GNA.

Cemented Structure

This is one of the strongest militias backing the GNA. Most of the militants of this militia hail from Misrata and its suburbs. It was founded in April 2016. It was instrumental in recapturing the northern city of Sirte from the control of the Islamic State group which overran the city in January 2015.

Military Council of Misrata Brigades

This is the strongest military bloc in western Libya. in January 2017, the council disbanded itself and joined the Central Military Zone of the GNA.

Libya’s Shield

This is a Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated group. It is made up of three battalions. It appeared in March 2012 for the first time.

Misrata’s militias have been trying to repel the advance of the LNA towards Tripoli since the army started its offensive in this regard in April 2019.

Relations with Turkey

Turkey offers all types of strategic support to these militias. Nonetheless, this stokes tensions in Libya and brings the country back to square 1.

Misrata’s Muslim Brotherhood strongly advocates the caliphate concept propagated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan visited Misrata as prime minister in 2012 to open the Turkish consulate in the city. This was when he addressed his audience by saying: “Welcome to the Turkish Misrata”.