The Islamic State is building an “army of the poor” in its new haven in Libya by recruiting foot soldiers from Africa’s poorest communities. The terror group is offering $1000 to impoverished Africans to entice them to jihadism in Libya.
The terror group’s Libyan chapter is swelling its ranks by offering cash bounties of up to $1,000 to people from neighbouring countries such as Chad, Mali, Nigeria and Sudan.
Libyan officials admit that they are almost powerless to stop the incomers, many of whom reach Libya using existing people-smuggling routes used by African migrants heading to Europe.
Islamic State is copying a strategy first used by Libya’s late dictator, Colonel Gaddafi, who recruited thousands of mercenaries from black Africa to serve in his armies.
In much the same way, the Islamic State’s new “Caliphate” in Colonel Gaddafi’s home city of Sirte now has a growing number of black African fighters.
Colonel Muncif al Walda, a senior police officer in the nearby city of Misrata, said:“Illegal immigration is a menace because it brings and encourages foreign fighters to come and fight with Isil.
“Most of the migrants want to go to Europe, but some want to link up with Islamic State. Unfortunately, here in Libya we are right in the middle of the migration rat run.”
Since first establishing a foothold in Sirte a year ago, Islamic State is believed to have built up an army of between 2,000 and 3,000 fighters, turning the port city into a Libyan version of the group’s Syrian stronghold of Raqqah.
