11 Months Later, Group Tied to Benghazi Attack Expanding in Libya

Eleven months after the infamous Benghazi attack, one of the groups allegedly tied to the attack is growing ever “more entrenched in Libyan society.”

As the Weekly Standard reports, members of Ansar al Sharia were allegedly “part of the al Qaeda-linked jihadist coalition that killed four Americans” in September 2012. Now, with August 2013 upon us, Ansar al Sharia is not only growing in prominence but is reportedly “providing security at the behest of the Libyan government.”

The Daily Beast had previously reported that the Libyan government was using Ansar al Sharia and other “revolutionary militias” to “combat drug dealers” and to squelch a wave of crime and violence in Benghazi.

Later reports indicate the wave has continued.

In June, a report alleged Ansar al Sharia was behind some of the violence, which would mean the same group that has been hired to end violence is actually causing it. However, a counter report credits a “convoy of Islamist extremists” with the rise in crime and violence.

As of now the chaos simply strengthens the position of Ansar al Sharia and the other militias who offer their services for security purposes. 

Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins