| Country: | Libya |
| Details of Formation: | The group was first mentioned in 2014. It might have existed already before that date. It is unclear when exactly the group became pro-government. According to Wikipedia, it was formed out of the dissolved SSC PGM; the dissolution of the SSC is however contrary to other news sources. |
| Details of Termination: | The SDF opposed the Tobruk-based HoR government that took over in August 2014, and instead backed the Tripoli-based rebel government. They stayed active and continued to be an anti-crime unit for the Tripoli government. Later they became supporters of the internationally recognized GNA government founded 2016 (Human Rights Watch 2017) |
| Purpose: | The group was formed for the purpose of fighting crime that had augmented in the political vacuum in Tripoli. The SDF was very active in pursuing this purpose by seizing explosives, unregulated goods, arresting suspected terrorists and other criminals, among other activities (Wikipedia). Local authorities aligned with the SDF as they were unable to maintain security by other means. |
| Organisation: | The group operated under the Ministry of Interior and was formed and lead by the Islamist Abdul Raouf Kara (Wikipedia). According to the Report “Libya: Militia, Tribes and Islamists”, it is headed by police captain Haytham al-Tajuri who was appointed as part of a demobilization campaign aimed at giving militia leaders the opportunity to integrate into high levels within the security sector. |
| Weapons and Training: | -- |
| Size: | -- |
| Reason for Membership: | -- |
| Treatment of Civilians: | -- |
| Other Information: | The Special Deterrence Force (SDF) is also known as RADA SDF. It is a radical Islamist special operations military police (Wikipedia). |
| References: |
Human Rights Watch. 2017. “Libya: New Wave of Attacks Against Sufi Sites.” https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/12/07/libya-new-wave-attacks-against-sufi-sites Wikipedia. “RADA Special Deterrence Forces”. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=RADA_Special_Deterrence_Forces&oldid=966605459 |