E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSThousands of Libyans stormed the headquarters of an Islamist militia group in Benghazi Friday night in a deadly exchange. NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin reports.
Updated 5:20 p.m. ET: An Islamist militia was driven out of the city of Benghazi early on Saturday in a surge of protest against the armed groups that control large parts of Libya more than a year after the overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi.
A spokesman for Ansar al-Shariah said the group had evacuated its bases in Benghazi "to preserve security in the city."
In a dramatic sign of Libya's fragility, the crowd swept through the base and went on to attack a pro-government militia, believing them to be Islamists, triggering an armed response in which at least 11 people were killed and more than 60 wounded, according to Reuters.
Ansar al-Shariah is the militant al-Qaida inspired group that some allege played a role in the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi that left four Americans dead, including U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens.
White House: Libya consulate siege that killed four was 'terrorist attack'
The invasion of its compound, which met little resistance, appeared to be part of a coordinated sweep of militia bases by police, government troops and activists following a mass public demonstration against militia units in Benghazi on Friday.
The two main Islamist militias in Derna, a city in eastern Libya known as an Islamist stronghold, withdrew from their five military bases and announced they were disbanding, residents said on Saturday.
"Abu Slim had three camps and Ansar al-Sharia had two. So it's five. Empty. All empty," Siraj Shennib, a 29-year-old linguistics professor who has been part of protests against the militia, said by telephone.
Thousands of Libyans storm an Islamic militia group's base to show support for the country's government. MSNBC's Thomas Roberts and NBC's Atia Abawi report.
While the late Friday protests in Benghazi were planned in advance though social networking sites and flyers, the storming of the heavily armed militia headquarters took many by surprise.
Demonstrators pulled down militia flags and set a vehicle on fire inside what was once the base of Gadhafi's security forces who tried to put down the first protests that sparked last year's uprising.
Hundreds of men waving swords and even a meat cleaver chanted "Libya, Libya," "No more al-Qaida!" and "The blood we shed for freedom shall not go in vain!"
"After what happened at the American consulate, the people of Benghazi had enough of the extremists," demonstrator Hassan Ahmed said. "They did not give allegiance to the army. So the people broke in and they fled.
Analysis: 'Manufactured outrage' behind Middle East protests
Abdullah Doma / AFP - Getty Images
An armed Libyan man flashes the victory sign in front of a fire at the hardline Islamist group Ansar el-Sharia headquarters in Benghazi on Friday.
"This place is like the Bastille. This is where Gadhafi controlled Libya from, and then Ansar al-Shariah took it over. This is a turning point for the people of Benghazi."
'Benghazi will be your inferno!'
Adusalam al-Tarhouni, a government worker who arrived with the first wave of protesters, said several pickup trucks with Ansar fighters had initially confronted the protesters and opened fire. Two protesters were shot in the leg, he said.
"After that they got into their trucks and drove away," he said. Protesters had freed four prisoners found inside, he said.
Continuing to chant anti-Ansar slogans, the crowd, swelling into the thousands, moved on to try to storm a separate compound where the powerful pro-government Rafallah al-Sahati militia was entrusted with guarding a big weapons store, and opened fire on the assailants.
Looters carried weapons out of the compound as men chanted: "Say to Ansar al-Shariah: 'Benghazi will be your inferno!'"
As parts of the Muslim world fire up with anti-American protests, thousands rally to support America in Benghazi, Libya, where the U.S. ambassador and three others were killed a week earlier. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
Officials at three hospitals told a Reuters correspondent they had a total of five dead and more than 60 wounded from the night's violence.
A trail of blood near two abandoned cars led police to six more dead bodies near the Rafallah al-Sahati compound on Saturday morning, police officer Ahmed Ali Agouri said.
"We came as peaceful protesters. When we got there they started shooting at us," student Sanad al-Barani said. "Five people were wounded beside me. They used 14.5 mm machineguns."
After Libya, renewed questions about al-Qaida
The withdrawal of Ansar al-Shariah across Benghazi and the huge outpouring of public support for the government suggests an extraordinary transformation in a country where the authorities had seemed largely powerless to curb the influence of militia groups armed with heavy weapons.
Nevertheless, Ansar al-Shariah and other Islamist militias have bases elsewhere in eastern Libya, notably around the coastal city of Derna, known across the region as a major recruitment centre for fighters who joined the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.
'No to militias'
The militias, a legacy of the rag-tag popular forces that fought Gadhafi's regime, tout themselves as protectors of Libya's revolution, providing security where police cannot. But they now face public criticism and are accused of acting like gangs, detaining and intimidating rivals and carrying out killings.
Abdullah Doma / AFP - Getty Images
Thousands of people march in Benghazi during a protest against militias on Friday. The Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. Consulate that killed four Americans was the spark that ignited growing frustration with the armed groups that have proliferated since the ouster of Moammar Gadhafi.
Libyan military chief of staff Youssef al-Mangoush said three big militias — Rafallah Sahati, Feb. 17 and Libya Shield — are considered "pro-government" and warned protesters against pushing for what he described as "counter-revolution" goals. The government heavily depended on Rafallah Sahati, for example, to secure Benghazi during the country's first national elections in July in decades. The militia took its name from an Islamist fighter who battled fiercely against Gadhafi's forces earlier in the revolution.
But most of Libya's militias still answer to their commanders before the state. Protesters, like those on Friday, want the fighters to be trained outside Benghazi and follow state army orders as individual soldiers and not as part of a militia. Many of the militiamen are unruly and undisciplined civilians who raised arms during the eight-month war.
Mohammed al-Megarif, head of Libya's General National Congress, ordered protesters to leave alone militias that are "under state legitimacy, and go home." Nearly seven hours of clashes ended shortly after his demand that was broadcast on local Libyan TV channels.
Watch world news videos on NBCNews.com
Although the main demands of the marchers on Friday did not mention the attack on the U.S. Consulate, it seems to have provided a strong impetus for the authorities to rally support behind the country's weak government.
Some protesters carried signs reading "The ambassador was Libya's friend" and "Libya lost a friend," the AP reported.
"I don't want to see armed men wearing Afghani-style clothes stopping me in the street to give me orders, I only want to see people in uniform," said Omar Mohammed, a university student who took part in the takeover told AP.
The Associated Press, Reuters and NBC News' Ayman Mohyeldin, and Kari Huus contributed to this report.
More world stories from NBC News:
- Pakistan cops open fire on film protesters on 'Day of Love'
- US soldier who refused to go back to Iraq arrested on return from Canada
- Australian deputy PM: 'Cranks and crazies' in GOP threaten US economy
- Iran seen behind cyber attacks on US banks
- White House: Libya consulate siege that killed four was 'terrorist attack'
- Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi calls for release of Russian punk band Pussy Riot
- Stay informed: Sign up for our newsletter
Leave a Comment:
It would be nice if this was genuine but my tinfoil hat is spinning so hard its likely to fly away
There are no rocket propelled RPGs so it must be "spontaneous". Where is Susan Rice? Hillary?
Good! Power to the logical people.
This is almost too perfect! Accelerating and ensuring, with another unshakeable clue that unlike the expectations that are invariably based on what's happened over the course of history, much like a kind of 'Arab Spring/Woodstock', now it's going to swiftly become evident to the overwhelming percentage of those in their mid 20s and younger that they have such power to totally extinguish some potential of any violent and extremist Muslim Brotherhood type takeover to fill the void left by the exiting or dissolving former untouchable regimes throughout the Middle East. The inevitable will most certainly occur.
Have to add why this is so more than any other reason. The militias at such a stage of social upheaval and unrest have zero power against the crowds, who are the very ones they're relying upon to influence with a baited hook before they reveal their standard fare oppressive tactics later on once they're in power.
Crank it up!
Soul Sacrifice (Live, Woodstock, 1969)
Santana
The Who said it best ... in Won't Get Fooled Again ... (OK, Who's Next, post Woodstock) :c)
Voice-
Who Are You
WHO
But you're absolutely correct.
Oh, the magic of Woodstock that's diss'ed-off today as purely drug induced wishful thinking, and so not recognized by the mainstream. Even largely forgotten by those who were 'there'(?):
As their last in a stunning set before many who only were just seeing and hearing Carlos for the first time. Almost in a tribal call that would wake the Maya, Santana's tribal bongo and massive Latino influenced congo sound slips into an incredible solo by their deft drummer, that slows to an almost imperciptible steady beat- suddenly bursting into the base, and guitar work of Carlos. Then take 'em to 'Church' with the organ to finish off the exhilirating- Soul Sacrifice...
Now, where's my bong? :)
I thought Obama said these were NOT terrorist attacks but an unplanned spontaneous attack because of that You Tube video. You mean, Obama was wrong???? How can that be? He's never wrong. Was he wrong or just lying to us again? And, were we warned 2 days before the attack by the Libyan government as Libya stated or were there no warnings as Obama stated? Hillary, thanks for telling us the truth because we sure ain't getting it from the White House.
@Bernie-262955
Bernie, ask your mother to read the newspaper to you more often. The Obama administration - after a prudent period of time needed to gather information (rather than make erroneous assumptions like you have just made) has concluded that the attack on the LIbyan embassy was a terrorist attack.
Now you can go back to watching your favorite cartoons.
owencoffin keep blindly drinking the cool aid your messiah keeps spewing. He said the attack was "from that you tube film" more than once but your response is a typical leftest attack. When the facts don't agree with your argument make facts up and attack the messenger. There wasn't "a prudent period of time". BHO said immediately, as did his press secretary, that it was NOT a planed terrorist attack but a random mob caused by that film. You should ask your nanny to read you the news papers during the week instead of just the Sunday NY Times.
Now go back to chanting "Obama, Obama, Obama....."
BTW, I'll probably vote for the jerk because Mitt seems such a poor choice.
Bernie, what was said is that there was "NO PROOF" that it was a terrorist attack. At this point it appears that a group of insurgents took advantage of a demonstration as cover to escalate the violence. There's nothing inconsistent about that message, it's entirely appropriate. What approach would you PREFER given an unstable situation in a foreign land when a minimum of facts were available?
Now the Libyan people are making it clear that they don't want a bunch of radicals taking away their opportunity at self government. Again, would you prefer some OTHER development?
Meanwhile you're trying to draw attention away from the fact that religious radicals right here in the US are trying to stir up trouble halfway around the world. You refuse to condemn people who misuse their 1st Amendment rights in a callous disregard for the lives of those overseas and a dogged effort to prevent rational political discourse here at home. They should be ashamed of themselves...and so should you.
John B,
Nice read on the facts. Everything you wrote turned out to be false. I read the truth on-line in a British paper ONE DAY AFTER THE ATTACK that it was a planed terrorist attack, probably al-Qaeda, that had nothing to do with that film and everything to do with 9-11 AND that the U.S. was told that something was going to happen on 9-11 in Libya 2 days before the attack. The fact is I'm pissed that more wasn't done by my government to protect those 4 souls that died a horrible death.
If you don't want to know the facts of what really happened and don't hold our government to tell us the truth then shame on you for playing the fool. And that film, I saw it on You Tube. It was a pathetic obvious attempt to cause hatred and the guy who produced it deserves to face a court of law.
As far as shame goes, the only shame I feel is that there are idiot Americans like you who blindly follow your messiah with no question of his motives. Anyone who watches MSNBC to get the news is no better than those that watch FOX news. The truth is in the middle. A closed mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Where's your proof, hot shot?
You say there are "facts", show your cards.
Please read something besides MSNBC and you'll read what actually happened. POTUS said the attack was from that film for days. He said there is no proof it was from a terrorist attack when he was asked the question yet news papers around the world were reporting it was a planed terrorist attack for 9/11. Ambassador Susan Rice on meet the press on 9/16, 6 days after the attack stated that the attack was from a mob because of that video and NOT from an organized terrorist attack. The rest of the world knew by then it was a planed organized attack.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49051097/ns/meet_the_press-transcripts/t/september-benjamin-netanyahu-susan-rice-keith-ellison-peter-king-bob-woodward-jeffrey-goldberg-andrea-mitchell/
John, this was published one day after the attack:
'Assault on US consulate in Libya a 'planned terrorist attack by al-Qaeda group, not a spontaneous act'
PUBLISHED: 12:43 EST, 12 September 2012 | UPDATED: 13:22 EST, 12 September 2012
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2202237/Assault-US-consulate-Libya-planned-terrorist-attack-al-Qaeda-group-spontaneous-act.html
I have a love and respect fof the Libyan people because of Khadafi and how he surrounded himself with hot female security. That was just plain out cool! I hope these people find the strength to better their country. God save Libya!
All you feel good kumbaya libbies feel good about this story.BUT I think your king is down in the polls the main stream media had to boost his see i told you so numbers.How the heck does anybody know whats going on over there you bunch of spoon fed idiots. its a lie
You bet we do...because we have not lost any young Military soldiers by storming in there and Occupying for 10 years. This is good news on both sides of the Isle.
Oh and he's up 7+ and after the first debate it will be all over but your tears
Republicans for Obama
Because the GOP can't seem to put anyone worthy up there to vote for!
And Scott Rasmussen, the favored pollster of the right? He has had Obama up all week. How can that be reconciled with your narrative?
Wow what pleasant news that finally a 3 world country takes things into their own hands without major involvement from us. Let's hope some of the other country's will follow suit.
@Bernie-262955
Bernie, ask your mother to read the newspaper to you more often. The Obama administration - after a prudent period of time needed to gather information (rather than make erroneous assumptions like you have just made) has concluded that the attack on the LIbyan embassy was a terrorist attack.
Now you can go back to watching your favorite cartoons.
owencoffin keep blindly drinking the cool aid your messiah keeps spewing. He said the attack was "from that you tube film" more than once but your response is a typical leftest attack. When the facts don't agree with your argument make facts up and attack the messenger. There wasn't "a prudent period of time". BHO said immediately, as did his press secretary, that it was NOT a planed terrorist attack but a random mob caused by that film. You should ask your nanny to read you the news papers during the week instead of just the Sunday NY Times.
Now go back to chanting "Obama, Obama, Obama....."
BTW, I'll probably vote for the jerk because Mitt seems such a poor choice.
I give them credit for doing this. Now they have to keep it. Most of the young people in Iran love the Western ways and want to be like America. This is fine, but their government is what's nuts, like ours. I don't have a problem with muslims that don't want to kill me, just the fanatics, and I will dip my bullets in bacon grease, just for them.
I hope Libya can get a good, decent government, that wants to get along with the world.
"....the probe conducted by Department of Homeland Security investigators into the Cartagena scandal turned up claims that two members of the White House team had checked in prostitutes to the Hilton hotel in Cartagena."
White House staff hiring hookers!! ...This is what we are down to?? What an embarrassment for our country!!
Those were career Secret Service agents, not political appointees. I swear, if one could spin straw into gold as easily as Conservatives spin facts into lies...
John...The disclosure of White House staff being involved comes directly from Charles Edwards, the acting inspector general for the Department of Homeland Security!!
Are you seriously this naive????
Hmmm...I wonder if it works both ways for Republicans...Does Obama get credit for this? Or is it only when something goes wrong that they dont like?
Nah, even when something goes right it's wrong. That's how Fox decided it was Obama's fault when oil prices rose, and his fault again when prices dropped earlier this year. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/local/cerabino-the-good-bad-and-ugly-politics-of-lower-g/nPgMj/
And through it all Republicans continue to block reasonable regulation of speculation in the oil market.
No the Free Libyans get the credit for ousting Ghadaffi and then going after the new group of terrorists.
All the glory rests with the Free Libyans.
They're too busy shouting "THE WORLD IS BURNING, THE WORLD IS ON FIRE!!!!" to even notice.
@Above-three-posts - You are all correct of course. Sadly, there is a large portion of this country who lack the education and critical thinking to be able see the world "unmanufactured".
Well now we have a name to go with the @ssholes who attacked our embassy. Ansar al-Shariah...they'd better find a bigger rock to crawl under, because the drones are coming...Allah Akbar M*therf$%&ers!
Will Reid release his tax returns now???
Will Obama show us those college transcripts????
Will you grow a brain?
Lunarpup, found your comments quite pointed. Was going to make one myself, asking which candidate was going to be blamed for this one. Can't have an incident without politicizing it to campaigns in an election year, can we?
If I perceived your intended context correctly, I found value in your words.
1. If Obama is going to use this as "our" response to the attack on our embassy in Libya he should be ashamed of himself.
2. Trusting murderers and thieves to "police" your country shows just how pathetic and weak is your government.
3. The article states Ansar al-Shariah and his group gave little resistance. Sure... They were already gone before the "attack". They were probably warned days in advance. So what do you do in that case? Blow up somebody else! Unfortunately it was your supporting malitia but so what? They are thugs and criminals too and you got a body count! Right?
4. The tail is wagging the dog......
What in the hell are you talking about?
Sounds like you are running around in circles going nowhere fast.
We get it, you're very disappointed with the positive nature of this development. You would much rather see crowds burning the American flag and chanting "death to America" so you can point the finger of blame at President Obama. Stories like this just ruin that narrative. You people are despicable.
I wonder why these new massive taxes were designed to take place only after the election???
Sunday begins the 100-day countdown to “Taxmageddon,” when the largest tax increases in the nation’s history are to take effect.
They will affect families and small businesses in three great waves on Jan. 1, according to Americans for Tax Reform.
They range from the expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003 to the rise of top personal income tax rates from 35 percent to 39.6 percent.
In addition, 20 new or higher taxes related to Obamacare also are on the way. Some already have gone into effect, while others that will be forthcoming, including a tax on medical devices and an increase in the Medicare payroll tax.
The last wave of new taxes includes changes in the alternative minimum tax. As many as 31 million families will be required to calculate their tax burdens twice, and pay taxes at the higher level.
The AMT was created in 1969 to ensnare a handful of taxpayers.
Poor thing. I wish I know the name of the fly that attacks your brain. I'll be right back. Gotta goggle it.
Libyans are attacking criminals. Republicans, try taking your hate out of your statements. Radical Muslims are no different Radical Republican Christians.
As parts of the Muslim world fire up with anti-American protests, thousands rally to support America in Benghazi, Libya, where the U.S. ambassador and three others were killed a week earlier. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
See not all Middle Easterners hate America.
These Middle Easterners that are going against Al-Qeada forces are the ones that we need to support with arms, money and words of support.
These fighters are fighting a battle against the same terrorists that attacked us on 9.11.01
They are our brothers and sisters in arms.
They are putting theirself in harms way to defend a cause in their country that exists here in America.
That cause is called freedom.
Even those who Muslims have to say to theirselves "Yep those are our brothers in arms."
Not because they are of different belief but because they fight for a cause that is called freedom.
May Allah shine upon the fighters in Libya fighting against Al-Qaeda.
....and may hell open up and swallow everyone else.
Radicalized Muslims are not different than hateful, racist, intolerant, factless and bigoted Republicans. That is exactly why we all see so much vile comments coming from Repubilcans. They are the same.
Excellent example of beginning Democratic state, and united citizens for the good of the country. A token of possible appreciation for the help we gave them to kill the oppresor!
I do not trust them. I trust nothing coming from violence and people tht burn and make this type of conmotion even if it is in my favor. Violent people can be sway one way or the other as their hormones and emotions fly tht morning. a little bit of encouragement and they will be in another setting chanting against America again. They need to stop burning and killing and concentrate on law and order. And what happened they were not chanting Ala Akba as they do every time they go on a rampage and killing spree? I think these were just a bunch of "kind of dark skinned few paid for to make believe and get some forgiveness among the international opinion.
Congratulation Libyan brothers and sisters. You have already lost enough time and resources and also peoples' good will. You have taken the right action in driving the militants out. Keep vigil so that they cant come back again.
Militant Islam has strongholds in Algeria, Egypt, Somalia, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Pakistan, to name just a few countries. The challenge now will be finding ways to destroy the radical infrastructure and arrest or kill militants while simultaneously bolstering the influence of moderate Muslims. How to accomplish this task is unclear.
Good thing we have a true leader like Obama who didn't decide to nuke Libya at the drop of a hat when the embassy incidient happened. Can you imagine if Bush or Robber Baron Romney were in charged?
The "incident" was people killed and azz raped, but yeah it is better if they take care of their own,
Everyone is hoping that Libya becomes a Democratic nation and I hope so to, however I hate to burst every-one's bubble but when you have a Nation that is a Theocratic Nation no matter what Religion it is based upon, Democracy soon dies in that Theocratic Nation do to the radical elements that get into power in that Nation and History has proven that out time and time again.
What misinformation makes you think that Libya is a "Theocratic Nation"?