The Fall of Khuwayb: Who is the leader of ISIS in Libya responsible for the massacre of Copts?
The fall of Khuwayb, the leader of ISIS in Libya responsible for the massacre of Egyptian Copts that shook the world in 2015, has been achieved. Hashim Abu Sadra, or “Khuwayb” as his followers call him, was captured by Libyan security forces in a qualitative operation after years of search and pursuit.
From Derna to Sirte
Hashim Abu Sadra was born in the Libyan city of Derna, a coastal city located in the east of the country, known for being a stronghold of radical Islamist groups. He joined the ISIS organization when it emerged in Libya in 2014, assuming the position of “Emir of Emigration and Borders,” responsible for coordinating the movement of foreign and local fighters between Iraq, Syria, and Libya.
Abu Sadra was among the ISIS leaders who participated in taking control of the city of Sirte, transforming it into the organization’s capital in Libya. In Sirte, Abu Sadra committed heinous crimes against civilians and military personnel, being primarily responsible for the killing of 21 Egyptian Coptic individuals on the city’s beach, a horrifying scene that was recorded and shared on social media.
Escape and hideout
When Libyan forces loyal to the internationally recognized Government of National Accord began a military operation to liberate Sirte from ISIS in 2016, Abu Sdra managed to escape the city before being besieged by the forces. Since then, he entered into hiding and took command of what remained of the organization’s elements in Libya.
Abu Sadra has been active in the Libyan desert, attempting to reorganize the ranks of the organization and carry out scattered attacks against Libyan forces and foreign interests. He planned to move from the south towards the capital, Tripoli, but Libya’s Counter-Terrorism Deterrence Agency managed to discover his intentions, pinpoint his location, and apprehend him in a precise operation.
Unknown fate
After the capture of “Abu Sadra,” the Counter-Terrorism Deterrence Agency announced that he would be brought to justice, and his confessions would be published in the near future. It is expected that Abu Sdra will reveal important information about ISIS, its sources of funding, armaments, and its communication with its leaders abroad.
The arrest of “Abu Sadra” is a severe blow to ISIS in Libya, whose presence has diminished in recent years after the killing and arrest of most of its leaders and the remaining fleeing to the desert. Libyans hope that the arrest of “Abu Sadra” will contribute to enhancing security and stability in their country and eliminating the last remaining terrorist strongholds on their land.
