Omar Al Mokhtar

Omar Al Mokhtar (1862-1931), called “Sheik of the militants”, was born in Libya in Zawia Janzour from Arab tribe Al Abaidi de Mnifa.

Born in 1862, Omar Al-Mokhtar Ben Omar Ben Farhan is the son of Mokhtar Ben Omar and of Bent Mohareb Baited. It was only 16 years old when it lost his father, left for the Pèlerinage. He lived his adolescence in the bitterness of the orphanage. He grew in the mosques of Senousseya. During 8 years, it followed Islamic courses of sciences to the institute of higher learning. Its morals high-qualities attracted the admiration of the sheiks and the confidence of its chiefs to him. It was named in 1897, by El-Sayed El-Mahdi, sheik of mosque Al-Okour.

Invasion of Libya by Italy

The Italian government addressed a warning to the Othoman government to put an end to anarchy, then launched Raid S against the Libyan coasts. November 5th, 1911 was proclaimed the occupation of Tripoli-West. Turkey went and signed an agreement of conciliation with the Italy in Ouchy-Lausanne in 1912.

Resistance of Omar El-Mokhtar

Answering the directives of El-Sayed Idriss, Omar Al-Mokhtar led the Libyan people to the defense of the country, and adopted a fight plan against the Italians, based on the formation of a unfié military command, on the collection of taxation of the animals and harvests, whereas the tribes equipped the moudjahiddin out of weapons and provisioning. All these efforts made resistance a very solid socio-economic fabric.

Omar El-Mokhtar engaged a fight of guerillas, in the caves, the forests and in the valleys of the green mount This strategy enabled him to create multiples embusches with the enemy and to surprise, with speed, the Italian, organized, many and better armed army.

In 1922, when the capacity became fascistic, Italy disavowed all its agreements with Idriss El-Senoussi and took again its policy of violence and terrorism.

Idris El-Senoussi emigrated towards Egypt in 1922 and the tribes of resistance exerted the effective command under the leadership of Omar Al-Mokhtar.

When the movement of resistance was with court of equipment and ammunition, Omar El-Mokhtar asked for the assistance of Idriss El-Senoussi which could not help it, because it did not have anything.

But Omar Al-Mokhtar continued her fight, without wearying themselves and despairing. It was shown as solid as the mountain. Resistance began in multiple combat and the circle of the activities of the moudjahiddins widens in the green mount the name of Omar Al-Mokhtar shone and it was illustrated as skilful chief knowing performer the system of attack and escape, and gradually, the Arab tribes united with the rows of the combatants.

The Italians thought to be able to allure it by the money, proposing to him a monthly sum of 50 thousand francs, in exchange of the signature by Sayed Reda, representative of Idriss El-Senoussi in the movement of resistance, of a peace treaty with them, but Omar Al-Mokhtar refused while saying: " Our major faith encourages us with the djihad".

Omar El-Mokhtar succeeded in carrying out several legendary victories against the Italian army, of which combat of El-Kafra, El-Rahiba, Akila, El-Matmoura, Karassa. It gained the confidence of the Libyans who followed it blindly.

Its qualities

Omar Al-Mokhtar admired by the Libyan people, not only for its heroism, but especially for its moral ethics and its good qualities, so that its celebrity exceeded the borders. He was an excellent politician, as well as a skilful militant. The fight was for him a vital question and a major goal. When one advised it to stop his fight, because it had aged, it entered a furious anger.

It Maria only once and put at the world a son, named Mohammad Omar Al-Mokhtar.

Imprisonment

September 12th, 1931, whereas it carried out a mission of exploration with 40 riders of its men, Omar Al-Mokhtar fell into a ambush which the Italians near the mount had prepared to him. The Italians had cut the road to him and a combat was held between the two parts: only Omar Al-Mokhtar left there alive. It was stopped and delivered to the Italian command.

Graziani, the vice-marshal of the Baudina general governor, of Tripoli and Barca, proposed the general amnesty, provided that he sends a call to the moudjahiddins, the incentive to stop to him the engagements. But, Omar Al-Mokhtar refused the offer, and preferred to die as a martyr, because its conscience and its religion rejettaient humiliation.

The judgment

September 15th, 1931, he was quickly judged in an hour and quarter, and was condemned to death. Wednesday morning of September 16th, 1931, Libya was the theater of its setting with died in front of more than 20.000 citizens. Al-Mokhtar advanced with sure steps, the face lit by the faith, by repeating both chahadaa, then quickly, the Italians transported his corpse towards the cemetery of El-Saberine to Benghazi. A hardened guard surrounded its tomb.

Commemoration

Libya considers on September 16th day of mourning and commemoration of the martyr Omar El-Mokhtar. A museum was created at the time of this commemoration and included all the weapons used by Sheik El-Moudjahiddin and his companions against the Italian invasion.

The Libyan currency (ticket of 10 Dinars) carries the effligie of Omar Al-Mokhtar. There exists also a bridge Omar Al-Mokhtar (see photo) in Ouadi El Kuf and its effigy is suspended there. One can finally still see the cave where it often took refuge.

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