Abstract
Ansar al-Sharia, established in April 2011, is the most prominent Salafist jihadist organization in Tunisia. At the beginning the movement, which sympathizes with the ideology of al-Qaeda, focused its attention on humanitarian and missionary works. Later it did not balk at using violence to enforce religious norms. The conflict between the Ennahda Government and the organization culminated between May and July, 2013. At the end of August the Government finally designated Ansar al-Sharia a terrorist-organization. According official reports, the organization is responsible for planning several unsuccessful attacks during the intervening months. Additionally, Okba bin Nafaa, the military wing of Ansar al-Sharia, has been fighting an open war with the Tunisian Army in the Algerian border region since December 2012.
Highlights
The Salafist jihadist movements have been strengthened significantly in Tunisia after the 2011 Arab Spring
Another important aspect in which it differed from the international terrorist organizations was that it adhered to the radical interpretation of Islam, it rejected violent jihad in Tunisia
The Libyan branch of Ansar al-Sharia was the mastermind behind the disturbances that resulted in the death of ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other American citizens. [21]
Summary
The Salafist jihadist movements have been strengthened significantly in Tunisia after the 2011 Arab Spring. AST regularly posted fatwas and videos from popular Salafi jihadist sheiks arguing against democracy, in order to discourage potential voters from voting.6 Another important aspect in which it differed from the international terrorist organizations was that it adhered to the radical interpretation of Islam, it rejected violent jihad in Tunisia. This must be noted, because the main aims of the organization were missionary activities and the so-called hisba – the avoidance of forthcoming wrong; in practice this means the enforcement of religious norms in the Muslim community. At the same time it reviewed the events and new issues about various jihadists, supplementing their Facebook pages. [3]
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