Pro-Government Militias
Al-Qa'qa' Brigade (Libya)
Basic Group Information
| Name assigned by coder: | no |
| PGM ID Number: | 597 |
| Country: | Libya |
| Date formed: | Aug. 23, 2011 |
| Accuracy of date formed: | year |
| Details of Formation: | The Al-Qa’qa’ Brigade was formed by Libyans in the West of Libya. They had trained in Zintan during the revolution. In 2011 it aligned with the National Transitional Congress and thus became pro-government. |
| Date dissolved: | Feb. 1, 2014 |
| Accuracy of date dissolved: | month |
| Details of Termination: | - Former coding: The group became anti-government when it openly turned against the GNC in February 2014, pressing for its members’ resignation and indictment. Later it pledged allegiance to Haftar who led a militarized campaign against Islamists with the aim of pressuring the GNC to hold elections. There is no news source information whether the Al-Qa’qa Brigade can be considered as pro-government with the ensuing House of Representative government, which also had connections to Haftar. |
| Termination Type(s): | PGM defects |
Former and Successor Group Information
| Predecessor group(s): | none |
| Successor group(s): | none |
| Private Military Company? | no |
| Former Group? | yes |
| Former Armed Group? | yes |
| Former Rebel Group? | yes |
| Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: | 5940 |
| PGM Becomes Rebel Group? | yes |
| Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: | 5940 |
Government Relation, Support, and Training
| Government Relation: | semi-official (type 2) |
| Created by the Government?: | no | Main Creating Government Institution: | none |
| Government Link(s): | person/minister; state (institution); military (institution) |
| If link to party, name of party: | None |
| Training and Equipment: | yes |
| Shared Information and Joint Operations: | no information |
| Shared Personnel: | yes |
| Type(s) of Material Support: | domestic government; drugs |
| State Sponsor(s): | none |
| Other Connection(s): |
Group Characteristics
| Membership: | ideology; ex soldiers |
| Primary Membership: | noncivilian |
| Alternative Primary Membership: | no information |
| Location: | Tripoli, Zintan |
| Force Strength: | [unknown, unknown] |
| Target(s): | rebels, insurgents, or other armed group |
| Purpose(s): | protect state, national or religious leader(s); protect national borders and integrity; protect property and investment |
Ethnic Characteristics
| Ethnic Target(s): | none |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: | not applicable |
| Ethnic Membership: | none |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: | not applicable |
| Ethnic Purpose: | none |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: | not applicable |
Other Information
| Other Information: | The group is allegedly involved in illicit arms smuggling, narcotic dealing activities and kidnapping. It is comprised of officers and combatants from Gaddafi’s elite force 32nd Brigade (aka Khamis Brigade). |
New Variables from Meta-Analysis
Purpose
| Purpose: | The group had the purpose to protect senior officials and government ministers. It was also officially tasked with securing border frontiers and guarding oil installations. |
| Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use | unknown |
Treatment of Civilians
| Treatment of Civilians: | |
| Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: | unknown |
Reasons for Membership
| PGM Members Coerced? | no information |
| PGM Members Paid? | no information |
| Reasons for Membership: | |
| PGM Members Killed? | no information |
PGM Size
| Size: |
Weapons and Training
| Weapons and Training: | The Brigade is the best equipped government sanctioned militia in Tripoli. Its members are already professionally trained because they have a military background. |
Organisation
| Organisation: | The Brigade is commanded by Uthman Mulayqithah who had previously defected from Gaddafi’s regime during the revolution. Officially it is under the Defence Ministry and the army’s chief of staff. It received preferential treatment during Usama Juwayli’s (Minister of Defense) term in office. |
Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis
Evidence
- Examine the evidence for this coding.