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Ansar Bait al-Maqdis

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Ansar Bait al-Maqdis (ABM; Arabic: أنصار بيت المقدس, romanized: Anṣār Bayt al-Maqdis, lit. 'Supporters of the Holy House'[10]), or Ansar Al-Quds[11] (lit. 'Supporters of Jerusalem'), was an Islamist jihadist, extremist terrorist group based in Sinai from 2011 to 2014.

Ansar Beit al-Maqdis (ABM)
أنصار بيت المقدس
LeadersWaleed Waked (POW)[1]
Ibrahim Mohamed Freg †[2]
Shadi el-Manaei[3]
Dates of operation2011–10 November 2014[4]
HeadquartersSinai Peninsula
Active regions Egypt
 Gaza Strip[5][6]
Ideology
Islamic Statism (since 2014)
Size1,000[7]–2,000[8] (before merger with ISIL)
Allies Al-Qaeda (formerly until 2014)
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (present 2014)[9]
Opponents Egypt
 Israel[6]
 Palestine
 Syria
Muslim Brotherhood
Al-Mourabitoun (Egypt)
Al-Qaeda (from 2014)
Battles and warsSinai insurgency
Succeeded by
Wilayat Sinai (in Sinai)
Sheikh Omar Hadid Brigade (in Gaza)

Ansar Bait al-Maqdis was linked to al-Qaeda from 2011 to 2014. It operated in the Sinai Peninsula, focused its efforts on Egypt and the gas pipeline to Jordan, with a handful attacks directed at Israel. In mid-2013, it began a campaign of attacks on Egyptian security forces, and in November 2014 the group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).[4] Most of the group became a branch of ISIL, renaming itself ISIL-Sinai Province.

Overview

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ABM emerged from a number of indigenous Salafi jihadist groups in the Sinai Peninsula. Some of these groups had ties to Salafi jihadis in Gaza or leaders that had previously fought abroad, including with al-Qaeda.[12]

ABM rose from the chaos in Sinai that began with the uprising in January 2011. Its operations increased in the wake of the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état, shifting its main target from Israel to Egyptian security forces,[7][12] declaring the Egyptian army and police apostates that can be killed.[13]

ABM was believed to have been the main group behind terrorist activity in the Sinai.[14] From September 2013 to late January 2014, ABM claimed responsibility for a rapid succession of mass scale attacks throughout Egypt, including the attempted assassination of the Egyptian interior minister Mohamed Ibrahim.[12] ABM recruited Bedouins as well as other Egyptians and people of other nationalities.[14] Ten leaders from the group were reported to have escaped from the Sinai to Gaza and Marsa Matrouh in late 2013.[15]

During 2014, ABM sent emissaries to ISIL in Syria to seek financial support, weapons and tactical advice.[16] On 10 November 2014, many members of ABM took an oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIL.[17] Following this pledge, ISIL supporters within ABM formed an official branch of ISIL in the region,[18][19] known as Wilayat Sinai, the Sinai Province of the Islamic State (or ISIL-SP).[12]

Designation as a terrorist organization

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ABM or ISIL-SP was designated a terrorist organization by Egypt,[20] the UAE,[21] the United Kingdom,[22] and the United States.[23]

Attacks

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Attacks claimed by or attributed to ABM include:

  • bombing of the gas pipelines Egypt to Israel and Jordan multiple times.[24][25]
  • September 2012 southern Israel cross-border attack.[10]
  • September 2013 assassination attempt on the minister of interior Mohamed Ibrahim Moustafa.[26]
  • October 2013 attack on a military intelligence building in Ismailia.[27]
  • November 2013, assassination of Mohamed Mabrouk, a security officer involved in the trial against Mohamed Morsi, who was shot dead outside his home in Nasr City.[28]
  • 24 December 2013 bombing of a police compound in Mansoura, killing at least 16 people, including 14 police officers.[29]
  • 31 January 2014, a rocket was launched from the Sinai Peninsula aimed at Eilat, Israel. The Iron Dome system intercepted the rocket.[30]
  • 20 January 2014 attack in Eilat. No damage or injuries were reported.[31]
  • 23 January 2014 attack on a police checkpoint in Beni Suef that killed 5 people.[32]
  • January 2014 Cairo bombings that took place in late January 2014,[33] though it later indicated that the Soldiers of Egypt group was behind one of the bombings.[34]
  • 25 January 2014 shooting down of a military helicopter in the Sinai.[35]
  • 28 January 2014 assassination of Mohamed Al-Saied (who was a member of Egypt's Interior Ministry).[36]
  • 31 January 2014 attempted attack on Eilat. The rocket was intercepted by the Iron Dome system.[37]
  • 16 February 2014 Taba bus bombing that killed four people, including three Korean tourists and an Egyptian bus driver.[38] The group warned all tourists to leave Egypt before 20 February 2014.[39]
  • 2 May 2014 attacks that killed 3 people in the Sinai.[40]
  • on 19 July 2014 Ansar Bait al-Maqdis ambushed Egyptian army soldiers; this event is known as the 2014 Farafra ambush.
  • on 28 August 2014 ABM released a video showing the beheading of 4 Egyptians accused of being Mossad spies and providing Israel with intelligence.[41]
  • late September 2014 killing of 6 security personnel.[42]
  • On 8 October 2014, a faction of ABM in the Gaza Strip, calling itself the Islamic State of Gaza, launched a bomb attack on the French Cultural Center in the city of Gaza, only to issue a statement several hours later denying any responsibility for the attack.[6]
  • ABM released a graphic propaganda video claiming responsibility for the 24 October 2014 Sinai attacks that killed 28 soldiers northwest of the town of Arish. The group was also responsible for a drive-by shooting several hours later at a checkpoint in Arish that killed three soldiers.[43]

After November 2014, attacks by the group were claimed as those of ISIL-SP.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Egypt arrests Sinai leading militant". Xinhua News Agency. 17 October 2014. Archived from the original on 28 February 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  2. ^ "Egypt kills senior leader of Ansar Beit al-Maqdis". Worldbulletin. 10 December 2013. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  3. ^ "North Sinai tribal leader kills 4 Islamist militants". Mada Masr. 2 August 2014. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Militant Group in Egypt Vows Loyalty to ISIS". New York Times. 10 November 2014. Archived from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  5. ^ "ISIS Now Has Military Allies in 11 Countries -- NYMag". Daily Intelligencer. 23 November 2014. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  6. ^ a b c "IS claims responsibility for Gaza's French Cultural Centre blast, reports". Middle East Eye. 8 October 2014. Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Egypt faces new threat in al-Qaida-linked group Ansar Beyt al-Maqdis". The Guardian. 31 January 2014. Archived from the original on 23 June 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  8. ^ "Interior Ministry analyzes Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis statement over assassination attempt". State Information Services. 10 September 2013. Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  9. ^ "Will ISIS find fertile ground in Egypt's Sinai? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East". Al-Monitor. Archived from the original on 11 June 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  10. ^ a b "Jihadist group claims responsibility for Israel attack". Daily News Egypt. 23 September 2012. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  11. ^ "Egyptian tanks, helicopters push through Sinai". Times of Israel. 9 September 2012. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  12. ^ a b c d "Wilayat Sinai: The Islamic State's Egyptian Affiliat" (PDF). inss. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  13. ^ Awad, Mokhtar; Tadros, Samuel (21 August 2015). "Bay'a Remorse? Wilayat Sinai and the Nile Valley". Combating Terrorism Center. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  14. ^ a b "Single terror group responsible for most attacks in Sinai, intelligence sources say". Times of Israel. 3 October 2012. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  15. ^ "Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis members escape to Gaza, Marsa Matrouh". Egypt Independent. 9 December 2013. Archived from the original on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  16. ^ "Islamic State Sprouting Limbs Beyond Its Base". The New York Times. 14 February 2015. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  17. ^ "Egypt jihadists vow loyalty to IS as Iraq probes leader's fate". AFP. 10 November 2014. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  18. ^ "The Islamic State's Archipelago of Provinces". Washington Institute for Near East Policy. 14 November 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  19. ^ "Sinai-based jihadist group rebranded as Islamic State's official arm". Long War Journal. 14 November 2014. Archived from the original on 20 November 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  20. ^ "Egyptian court says Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis a terrorist organization". Egypt Independent. 14 April 2014. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  21. ^ "UAE cabinet endorses new list of terrorist groups". Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) وكالة الأنباء الكويتية. 15 November 2014. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  22. ^ "UK government Proscribed Terrorist Organisations" (PDF). UK Home Office. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  23. ^ "US declares Ansar Beit al-Maqdes a terrorist group". Mada Masr. 9 April 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-04-09. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  24. ^ ""Supporters of Jerusalem" claim responsibility for latest pipeline bombing". Daily News Egypt. 26 July 2012. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  25. ^ "ISIS Blows Up Egypt-Jordan Gas Pipeline". Arutz Sheva. 15 November 2014. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  26. ^ "Sources confirm ex-army officer behind minister assassination attempt". Egypt Independent. 26 October 2013. Archived from the original on 9 June 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  27. ^ "Jihadists claim responsibility for Ismailia military bombing". Daily News Egypt. 21 October 2013. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  28. ^ "Sinai militants claim responsibility for Cairo killing". Ahram Online. 20 November 2013. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  29. ^ "Mansoura death toll rises to 16, mostly policemen". Ahram Online. 25 December 2013. Archived from the original on 29 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  30. ^ Ohayon, Meir (1 February 2014). "Radical Salafis claim responsibility for Eilat rocket fire". Ynetnews. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  31. ^ "Salafi group takes responsibility for Eilat rockets". Times of Israel. 21 January 2014. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  32. ^ "Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis claims responsibility for Beni Suef attack". Egypt Independent. 23 January 2014. Archived from the original on 11 September 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  33. ^ "Deadly explosions target police in Egypt". Al Jazeera English. 24 Jan 2014. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  34. ^ "Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis claims responsibility for military helicopter crash and attacks". Egypt Independent. 26 January 2014. Archived from the original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  35. ^ "Egyptian soldiers killed in Sinai as protest toll rises to 49". Reuters. 26 January 2014. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  36. ^ "Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis takes responsibility for assassination of Al-Saied, army accuses Brotherhood". Daily News Egypt. 29 January 2014. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
  37. ^ "Egypt jihadists claim rocket fire on Israel's Eilat". Daily News Egypt. 1 February 2014. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  38. ^ Gulhane, Joel (18 February 2014). "Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis claim Taba bus bombing". Daily News Egypt. Archived from the original on 18 February 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  39. ^ The Associated Press (18 February 2014). "Egypt militants warn tourists to leave country or face attack". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 18 February 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  40. ^ "Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis claim Taba bus bombing". Mada Masr. 4 May 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-05-06. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  41. ^ "Sinai terror group decapitates four alleged Mossad spies". Jerusalem Post. 28 August 2014. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  42. ^ "Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis claims responsibility for latest Sinai attack". Aswat Masriya. 17 September 2014. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  43. ^ "Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis posts video of deadly attack that killed 30 in Sinai". Reuters. 15 November 2014. Archived from the original on 16 November 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
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