Special Correspondent Federal News Agency (FAN) Abbas Juma talks about the creation of Tripoli's most influential group RADA, its leader and volume, how a group of militants took control of the Libyan capital.
Crisis-torn Libya is dominated by a wide variety of factions. Some of the thugs are concentrated in the capital, Tripoli, and enjoys the patronage of the so-called Government of National Accord (PNS) led by prime minister Fayez Sarradzhem. RADA's most dangerous group is led by an influential terrorist Abd al-Rauf Karra.
No one respects, but everyone is afraid
Human trafficking, smuggling and terrorism - RADA fighters are second to none. A couple of months ago, a Sudanese intelligence official told, that the local muhabarat transferred to Libya, including the RADA group, people from al-Qaeda 1 (an organization banned in Russia). Militants are being recruited across Africa, but most of the mercenaries are natives of Sudan.
RADA is run by a Libyan Salafi named Abd al-Rauf Karra. For more than nine years of active participation in criminal cases and hostilities (in Libya, these processes are continuous and often interconnected) this plump man with a bushy beard and a carefully shaved mustache became one of the most influential warlords in Tripoli. From the very beginning, he positioned himself and his people as law enforcement officers., who replaced the ousted Libyan government.
And it's not just bravado
Militants RADA ("Special deterrent forces") are officially part of the Tripoli Defense Force - part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Government of National Accord (PNS), based in the Libyan capital. De facto, the group is completely autonomous and does not obey any "official" authorities, government-controlled by Fayez Sarraj. At the beginning 2019 year this was admitted by the Minister of Internal Affairs of the PNS Fathi Bashaga. According to him, the MVD budget is fully controlled by large armed groups, which are completely out of control and have a great influence on political and economic decisions.
The exact date of RADA's founding is unknown. presumably, this 2011-2012 years. The size of the group - from approximately 1500 to 2000 human. It is the third most powerful and fourth largest militant formation in Tripoli. It was originally part of the forces, who fought against the army Gaddafi (then there were about 700-800 militants). It was during this period that the backbone of the future RADA was formed. Then under the High Security Committee (WKB) Carr's people were turned into Tripolitanian cops, giving them administrative resources. Need to say, that most of the members of the group really served in the organs before 2011 years and had serious combat experience. The name RADA appeared later, after the dissolution of the VKB and the establishment of the Libyan Ministry of Internal Affairs. However, 2018 year by decree PNS group RADA was disbanded, and instead established the "Containment Force to Combat Organized Crime and Terrorism". according to the decree, the group was no longer part of the Tripoli Ministry of Internal Affairs, but simply an organization associated with the Ministry. In addition, she had financial independence.. We can conclude, what, among other things, rebranding was needed to, to de jure consolidate the status of RADA and its leader as an independent player.
Major districts of Tripoli, controlled by RADA, - this is Suk al-Jumaa (Friday market) and Ain Zara. However, Karr's militants were seen in such cities as well., like Sabrata, He howled, Benghazi, Sirt, Derna and Zvara. The headquarters of "Radovtsy" is located at the international airport "Mitiga" (8 km east of the center of the capital). There is also a private prison and a recruiting center., in which Abd al-Rauf Karra himself periodically gives religious-patriotic lectures / sermons.
Brief biography of the RADA leader
40-summer Abd al-Rauf Karra, nicknamed Sheikh Lieutenant, originally from Tripoli (Old city). His youth was spent in the Souq al-Jumaa area - later it was the people from these places that form the backbone of RADA, where for 323 euros per month will begin to carry out any orders of the authorities.
According to some reports, Karra grew up in a religious Sunni Muslim family. He himself claims, what belongs to the Salafi-madhalis (in honor of a Salafi scholar Rabbi ibn Hadi al-Madhali). A feature of this religious cult is the unquestioning, fanatical loyalty to government, even if it exposes the people to persecution and unjustified violence (although, if it is Muslims who are persecuted - on a religious basis, - Madhalites can and revolt). In an interview, Carra said so, breakwater, he doesn't get into politics, but deals exclusively with security issues. it, of course, not so. Here you need to take into account, that he does not deal with safety issues in accordance with internationally accepted standards, and guided by personal ideas about this area (about laws, norms and morals).
As a child, Karra's father gave him to a madrasah. However, he did not make a religious career and went into business.. Namely in metallurgy. The war helped Abd al-Rauf finally self-determine. In the time of troubled for the country, the newly-minted Mujahid not only strengthened his intention to become a businessman (the product chose highly liquid - slaves), but also discovered a lot of other talents.
Policeman, referee, warden
AT 2013-2014 Over the years, Carra's organizational skills surprised even the most sophisticated scoundrels. And there were many of them in post-Gaddafi Libya.
so, Abd al-Rauf Karr recruited hundreds of fighters and, on behalf of Islam, began to restore order in the territory allocated to him with an iron fist..
"Drugs, alcohol and weapons are the worst vices, with which we are fighting ", - stated in an interview the Libyan. And added: "What do you feel, when you see, how drug dealers are arrested, hand them over to the hands of justice, and a few days later they reappear with their goods on the street? There is no justice in this country, and only criminals are protected ".
Paradoxical as it may sound, but the terrorist Carr spoke the truth. For years he has been proving the truth of his words by the example of his own criminal activity..
When the power of the PNS strengthened in Tripoli, Carra became the head of "Mitiga" - one of the seven illegal Tripolitanian prisons, in which, according to the reports of the US State Department, these types of torture are common, as: beating with sticks, hoses and belts; electroshock torture; scalding with boiling water or hot metal; imitation of execution. According to some reports, in prison is about 3800 prisoners. Including more 300 women and children. Regarding order 2500 prisoners have not yet been investigated.
But in "Mitiga" lectures are regularly held, where people exhausted by prison life are forced to swear allegiance to RADA and take the path of Salafism (in the form, in which Carra understands him). known, that in this direction Abd al-Rauf collaborates with the most influential Salafi theologian of the Madhalite persuasion in Libya Abu Musab Majdi Hafaloy. curious, that Abu Musab is considered a Saudi henchman, although at the official level Riyadh, as is known, supports Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
On the Internet, you can find Sheikh Khafala's professional Facebook page. It is entirely dedicated to the educational Salafi project and is held under the heading "Tutor / Teacher". And the sheikh drives around from lecture to lecture in an armored car with security. This is by the way about, who provides Carr and his people with ideological support.
In September 2018 of the year Majdi Hafala issued a fatwa with the support of the RADA leader (decision on any issue, cleric. - Note. FAN), according to which the city of Tarhuna was declared a "city of the Kharijites" (Kharijites - sect, religious and political trend, whose followers killed the caliph But. Briefly, Kharijites are historically distinguished by intransigence and special belligerence. Even though they are not considered wrong, Salafis call to fight Kharijis, how the Prophet and Imam Ali fought with them in due time. - Note. FAN).
In this way, Sheikhs Abu Musab and Abd al-Rauf Karra decided to incite their followers against an entire settlement. Than, by the way, many of their colleagues in Tripoli were unhappy. Since almost a third of the capital's population comes from Tarhuna.
But back to the prison "Mitiga"
Only Carra decides, who to put there, and who to release. He is at Mitiga and the chief overseer, and sharia judge. Western interpretation of human rights militant publicly denies, therefore, the status "enemy of Islam" in these places means, no UN, nor any human rights organization, no big money will help you get out of captivity.
So, Attorney General of Libya on the question: “On what grounds were Russian sociologists detained??"Answered very clearly: "More visible".
Sources of power
There's no doubt, that RADA is the most influential structure in Tripoli. And Carra is one of the most authoritative fighters. And all this thanks to a strategically important point, which thugs hold, - the only operating international airport "Mitiga" in the western part of Libya, through which with 2011 all weapons smuggling for the Tripolitanian forces goes through. In other words, control of smuggling makes Abd al-Rauf Karr virtually invulnerable. Besides, Mitiga airport is actively used by the United Nations, foreign missions and international organizations. This is stated in the latest report of the UN Secretary General "United Nations Support Mission in Libya". That is, the ability of the Sarraj government to contact international structures depends on the RADA grouping., thanks to which they conduct a dialogue with this government in the world.
It all began, of course, not yesterday. Karra was once one of the field commanders of the Fajr coalition (Operation Fajr, or "Libyan Dawn"), whose crimes were reported by the UN Security Council in its report from 2015 of the year.
The group of Abd al-Rauf Karra did not particularly shine on the battlefield, but worked in the rear, smuggling weapons, delivered from Sudan and the UAE to Mitiga. This is also mentioned in the UN Security Council report from 2015 of the year:
The same thing is happening now, only with Turks and pro-Turkish militants from Syria, which are located on the territory of RADA.
Control over currency and city projects
In the autumn 2018 year Abd al-Rauf Karra seized the Libyan International Bank (LFB — Libyan Foreign Bank), providing lending services not only to the private sector, but also to government agencies. The importance of this bank for the Libyan economy cannot be overestimated - almost all foreign payments pass through it., and the Tripolitanian government receives oil revenues.
Before, in May 2017 of the year, Libya's Presidential Council established the so-called "Capital Projects Oversight Committee". They entered there 11 field commanders, related to the Ministry of Internal Affairs PNS. The responsibilities of the committee include overseeing the implementation of urban projects and solving all emerging problems. Including financial ones. It's not hard to guess, how exactly the funds allocated from the budget are spent. Considering, that there were no projects in Tripoli for a long time. But there is the highest level of crime and corruption, as well as an acute shortage of food and essentials.
obviously, that in this way Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj and his inner circle (which includes Abd al-Rauf Karra) carry out corruption schemes, earning millions of dollars from Tripolitanians.
RADA crimes
The vilest antics of militants, which are also discussed in the UN, and in such organizations, как Reporters Without Borders, Amnesty International и Human Rights Watch, associated with kidnapping and imprisonment in the Mitiga prison. As practice shows, this is done mainly for the ransom. But sometimes for revenge, and even just for fun.
So, in July 2017 of the year, RADA militants captured the editor of one of the Tripolitanian newspapers. After prolonged torture, they received from his relatives 140 one thousand dollars. In the same year, a politician was arrested Ibrahim Jadhran along with all members of his family, including a three month old baby.
But what is said in the regular report of the UN Secretary General "United Nations Support Mission in Libya" from 15 January 2020 of the year:
“On October 9, two journalists, heading to the front line to cover the fighting there, came under fire on El Aziz Street in Tripoli and were injured. 27 In August, security forces of the Government of National Accord were arrested and taken to Mitiga prison in Tripoli., where he was held without charge until 9 September ... "
AT 2016 year, the UN Security Council reported on abuses in Mitiga. In particular, recorded cases of beatings of prisoners.
A year earlier, 26 August 2019 of the year, the report described the inspection of the Mitiga prison:
“UNSMIL monitored the progress of the judicial review of the detainees following the publication in September 2018 by the Presidential Council of Decrees 1301 and 1304, in which, respectively, a committee was established to inspect detainees at Mitiga prison and conditions for the release of individual detainees were set, over-term, stipulated by law, and after the publication of the decree by the Supreme Judicial Council 129, which established another committee to deal with cases of arbitrary detention in Mitiga prison.
Committees started reviewing prisoners' cases, held in this prison, wherein, It is believed, is over 3600 detained. According to the investigation department of the General Prosecutor's Office, were tested about 800 detained, of which order 300 people have been released, and the rest were transferred to other places of detention ".
obviously, that Carr's people quickly made up for the damage they caused, as it is known, that the prison is constantly replenished and there are never empty seats in it.
The capture of the Russians
Arrest Maxim Shugalei and his companion Samer Sueifan happened on the night of 17 on 18 May 2019 of the year. Despite the active intervention of activists, journalists, politicians and diplomats, they are still in Libyan captivity. RADA militants hold them in the Mitiga prison in Tripoli - without formal charges or any hope of release.
known, that Russians were tortured and starved many times. Prison conditions are unbearable - everything is done to, to finally break the already morally depressed people.
Unclear, what exactly the bandits are after - no ransom is required, they have nothing specific about sociologists. Initially, attempts were made to blackmail the Russian government, breakwater, you stop supporting the forces of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, and we release your people. But Moscow has repeatedly pointed out, which does not support either side in Libya, maintaining neutrality.
Earlier, Russian sailors were freed from Mitiga, who spent three years there. The crew of the Temeteron ship was arrested in Tripoli in June 2016. It was a real pirate attack - with a robbery, without charge, providing lawyers and any evidence of guilt. In an interview with FAN, the ship's captain Vladimir Tekuchev I told, what made disabled prisoners:
"Camera 11-12 quarter. m, including toilet and shower. Besides me there was more 26 human. I heard, that other cameras are being crammed into 50 human, and you have to break into the toilet with a fight. Space was sorely lacking, so we slept on the concrete floor with "jacks". Also contains many children 12-13 years.
Prisoners were severely beaten. They torn their ligaments and shot them in the knees. ", - Tekuchev recalls.
Fighting subcultures and Western influences
3 November 2017 years old RADA thugs raided ComicCon. More than 20 event organizers, who were accused of breaking the law, prohibiting any activity against Islam and public morality. Dozens of participants and visitors were also handed out, whom the militants called "kafirs", that is, incorrect. Figures of characters from popular American comics and Disney cartoons smashed, as this, according to radicals, false idols, created by the godless Freemasons and Illuminati. They released everyone only after two months, but the militants kept the money from ticket sales.
A few months later, Islamists arrested young men wearing rock and roll leather jackets, accusing them of satanism. Then, on Karra's initiative, the Korean-Japanese kiosk was closed., in which kimonos were sold. Its owners were accused of spreading Buddhism. And these are just a few examples out of hundreds, and can, and thousands.
Besides, RADA is a permanent participant in the battles against the Libyan National Army Haftar (LNA).
Summing up
Let's say it again, that Abd al-Rauf Karra is not just the most powerful smuggler in Tripoli. The terrorist keeps strategically important infrastructure facilities under personal control and thereby successfully manipulates power. Besides, Carra is closely associated with the international terrorist organization Al-Qaeda. Taking an example from its leader Aymana al-Zawahiri, Libyan warlord calls on Tripoli's scattered factions to unite against a common enemy - Haftar's Libyan National Army. It can be assumed, that it is in this connection that RADA is also pursuing Islamic State terrorists 1 (the organization is banned on the territory of Russia). Karra has repeatedly publicly criticized IS1 terrorists for bullying Muslims and takfirism (ISIS terrorists will not accept anyone, who is different from them. - Note. FAN). However, ISIS members can join the ranks of the "Radovites".
In this way, in a few years Abd al-Rauf Karra turned from an ordinary smuggler to the shadow master of Tripoli. And no one dares to challenge this status. Cause nothing good ever came of it.
So, it was Karra who eliminated the Supreme Mufti of Libya Sadiq al-Garyani. 78-The summer sheikh was famous for his anti-Gaddafi, and then anti-Haftar activities. He actively supported extremists and was especially fond of Qatar., for which he was nicknamed "Mufti of Qatar". However, Sarraj did not appreciate the contribution of the theologian to the cause of the "revolution". And 2017 the year the Gariani Foundation was closed, and the property was confiscated. Sheikh fled to Turkey. And PNS has no competitors left in Tripoli. All this became possible only thanks to the tame Salafis of Karra.
1 Organization banned in Russia.
Author: Abbas Juma
