The Mujahid Ahmad al-Sharif al-Sanusi between the National Resistance Movement in Libya and World War I (1912-1916)

Abstract

Ahmed al-Sharif al-Sanusi is considered one of the most prominent leaders of the Senussi movement, who opposed European colonialism. He began his struggle and jihad against French colonialism in Chad. After the Italian invasion of Libya in 1911, he reorganized the Senussi movement through the zawiya, which spread throughout many cities.  Due to his religious status and good relations with the Ottoman Empire, which controlled Libya during that period, he was able to lead the resistance movement in Barqa, especially after many of its tribes rallied around him and he formed a system of roles that contributed to the success of the resistance movement during the period of his leadership of it, in cooperation with some Turkish officers present in Barqa.

 His participation in the First World War had a major impact on the resistance movement due to the circumstances and Turkish policy aimed at convincing him by all means to enter this war, the results of which led to his exit from Libya.