| Country: | Libya |
| Details of Formation: | Al-Saiqa existed as a Gaddafi elite force, but was among the first to join the rebel forces during the 2011 uprising. After the NTC took over, its commander declined from undertaking policing activities. It is coded as PGM from 2013 on because in the summer of that year it was used to support police that was unable of controlling violence and quell the fighting. |
| Details of Termination: | The group became anti-government in May 2014 when it joined General Haftar, who led a militarized campaign against Islamists with the aim of pressing the GNC to hold elections. There is no news source information whether the Al-Sa’iqa Brigade can be considered as pro-government with the ensuing House of Representative government, which had connections to Haftar. |
| Purpose: | The group was mobilized in order to control growing disorder (Wikipedia) because regular police had proven incapable of controlling the situation. |
| Organisation: | The Al-Sa’iqa Brigade reports to the Ministry of Defence. In 2013, its commander was Colonel Wanes Abu Khamadh (Wikipedia). He became the military governor of Benghazi in 2013 tasked with coordinating government agencies and armed groups. He also had the support of major tribes that pledged allegiance to him in early 2014. |
| Weapons and Training: | -- |
| Size: | The group had around 5000 members (Wikipedia). |
| Reason for Membership: | -- |
| Treatment of Civilians: | -- |
| Other Information: | The Al-Sa’iqa Brigade is also known as Libyan Special Forces. It is formed from paratroopers, paramilitary forces and commandos (Wikipedia). Membership is tribal affiliated, and the majority are from of the Ubayadat, Awaqir and Baraghita tribes. |
| References: | Wikipedia. “Al-Saiqa“. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Al-Saiqa_(Libya)&oldid=966557248 |