From the Biographies of the Distinguished Martyrs: (19) Abu Nassir al-Libi
The nineteenth “distinguished martyr” is Abu Nassir al-Libi, a foreign fighter from Libya who died in the Second Battle of Fallujah. Most of this biography is devoted to Abu Nassir’s battlefield exploits, but there are some notable details. First is the multinational character of the insurgents: Libyan, Syrian, Tunisian, Kurdish, and of course Iraqi. Second is Abu Nassir’s time in Baghdad. He was seemingly stuck in the city until the First Battle of Fallujah. The reason is unclear. Other sources indicate that JTJ was able to transport men across Iraq at this time, so it is unlikely that there was a logistical impediment to Abu Nassir. I suspect that JTJ deliberately ‘stationed’ him in Baghdad to avoid concentrating all of its assets in Fallujah. For instance, we know that Abu Azzam al-Iraqi (cameo below) was in Baghdad during the two Fallujah battles.
The Lion of the Golan, Abu Nassir al-Libi
He is the valiant hero, the fearless leader, the lion of battles, and the man of decisive moments. He is the one whom eyes turn to in times of hardship, and behind whom heroes take refuge in times of calamity. He is Hatim in generosity, Hamza in adversity, Umar in his commitment to God's Command, and Abu Dharr in his loyalty to his brothers.1 He fills the eyes with awe, the heart with love, and the soul with courage. He is the Lion of the Two Fallujahs and the Hero of the Golan.2 So, who is this man?
The life of my companion (may God have mercy on him) was marked by milestones that began with patience and ended with courage, for patience and courage are inseparable–there is no courage without patience.
The story of patience begins when I first met the beloved martyr. He had settled in Fallujah about six months before the first battle. However, at that time, the martyr had made a mistake in choosing his refuge–I mean the people of that city whom he had turned to for help. He came to me stripped of all his wealth for one reason or another.
Yes, his wealth. The martyr was his mother's only child. His father had passed away, leaving him with sisters who were cared for by their uncle. But the man worked in trade, opening a clothing store, and after numerous trips between Turkey, France, and Italy, he established a successful business with his uncle. However, both the uncle and the son–I mean Abu Nassir (for the uncle was like a father)–decided to dedicate themselves to jihad with their lives and wealth. Abu Nassir and his uncle sold their business and set out for Iraq after the hero sought his mother's permission. Her face beamed with joy as she said to him:
"But deliver my greetings to your father in Paradise, so that I may join you both, and may you intercede for me. Am I not the first for whom you will intercede, my son?"
They embraced, and tears–the language of love–dominated the scene, with his sisters around them weeping and praying for him.
Abu Nassir joined the house of Abu Abdullah al-Shami alongside righteous brothers who were waiting for the day they would go out, brandishing their weapons. However, that day was delayed. Forgive me, I forgot to mention–and only Satan made me forget–that before Abu Nassir bid farewell to Fallujah and headed to Baghdad, he had already bid farewell to his uncle, who had ascended to the Gardens of Eden under the care of an Almighty King. We believe, and God is his reckoner, that they had gone out in a battle with the Americans in Karmah, where his uncle was martyred, and the survivor (Abu Nassir) learned his first lesson: "Haste and poor planning have dire consequences, and leadership plays a crucial role in battles."
In Baghdad, Abu Nassir grew weary of waiting, which had lasted three months. However, I could see his intelligence and potential, so I said to him, "My brother, listen to me. Perhaps God will grant you success in a deed that pleases Him, so be patient. If you leave here, will you be able to fight elsewhere?"
I often told him and others, after many bitter experiences: "By God, if I knew that I would fire a single shot at an enemy after a year, I would wait until I could take that shot, because I know I cannot do it elsewhere. And even if I could, it would take longer than here."
The martyr waited, and the first battle of Fallujah came. He joined the fighters who rushed to the battle without prior arrangement, and I found myself with him in the Golan. The story is long.
However, I would like to testify before God and history–something the reader might think is unrelated–about how we joined the Golan. Let it be known to the people the honor of the leader, especially Umar Hadid. When the Americans entered the outskirts of Fallujah after the incident of the four contractors, I was present during their story.
I say, the Americans suddenly arrived at the outskirts of the Golan, so I sought refuge in the house of the martyr leader Umar Hadid. There, he roared at his brothers and cousins, "Hurry, everyone take your weapons!" I and his brother argued over a Kalashnikov without a magazine–just the weapon and a single bayonet. We took turns carrying it until God granted me a weapon as spoils from the pagan guards [Iraqi National Guard] on the first day.
I say, Umar and his brothers went out with their faces uncovered, and people were amazed, telling them to cover their faces. But the man said loudly, "Go out and defend your religion, your honor, and your land!" I feared for Umar. What if the Americans took control? What if they entered and informants betrayed him? But the man sought God–I believe, and God is his reckoner–so God elevated him in this world, and I hope He will elevate him even more in the Hereafter.
I say, we took refuge in the Golan, and the battle began with intense ferocity. Fire rained down on the city, but the heroes of the Golan, led by Abu Nassir and Commander Abu Ammar al-Suri, achieved the first victory in their initial trial.
They targeted the helicopter (the Samtiya), and as soon as it entered the mujahidin's range, they showered it with bullets from PK machine guns and Kalashnikovs, and the first one fell.
The rest fled, and we shouted "Allahu Akbar" and praised God. After that, we grew bolder against the enemy, and the helicopters withdrew from the battle. The war raged on, and Abu Nassir took the lead, being entrusted with the command of a jihad brigade stationed near the enemy, where death descended like a torrential flood.
One morning, one of the brothers came and said, "I heard a faint, regular tapping sound coming from this house during guard duty. I think snipers have advanced in the shadows and taken control of the house." The area was deserted at the time, so I sent some Kurdish brothers to verify, and they confirmed the news. We gathered, led by Commander Abu Ammar al-Suri, Abu Nassir, and Commander Jundallah al-Kurdi. After consultation, it was decided that the house must be attacked for several reasons, the most important being that if the snipers controlled it, they would paralyze our movements, and the enemy would advance further. Sacrifice was necessary. Abu Nassir was nominated to lead the assault team, and the method of attack and the group members were determined. I bid them farewell with God's blessing, and the operation was expected to begin in an hour. Then someone came and said that Abu Nassir and his group were surrounded. The news spread through the Golan like wildfire, and people panicked. Among those who panicked were Umar Hadid and Shaykh Abu Anas al-Shami (may God accept them) and other esteemed brothers.
Indeed, we saw the Samtiya announcing through loudspeakers, "You are surrounded, and we will annihilate you in half a minute." The groups advanced toward the brothers, and mujahidin came to us from all directions. People were distributed to break the siege of the brothers.
While we were in this state, the takbir [chant of "Allahu Akbar"] erupted from within, and RPG rockets shook the enemy's fortifications–a sign that Abu Nassir's attack had begun, and it was a signal that the group was not surrounded. After half an hour of engagement, Abu Nassir took control of the sniper's house. There was another adjacent house where the brothers were unaware that Americans were inside. They opened fire on Abu Nassir and his group, but God protected them, and the brothers seized the snipers' weapons and killed those inside the house. Abu Nassir returned with a martyr and a wounded brother, and the people were waiting for them. They asked, "What happened to you?" He said, "We thought you were surrounded." He replied, "Praise God, no. This house has been captured," and the media circulated images of it.
During that time, the largest and most ferocious battle of the Golan began, lasting the longest. But since divine will governs and grants success, and because the people had gathered to break the siege and seal the gaps, the attack was repelled, and the enemy suffered heavy losses in lives and equipment. Two tanks and an armored vehicle were destroyed, and a plane was shot down–all praise to God. This was God's plan for us, for if the enemy had come with this force minutes before the siege, they would have easily entered the Golan. But God is the granter of success, the guide, and the planner. The battle of Fallujah had its significance.
Then the first Fallujah passed, and between the two battles–the first and second Fallujah–Abu Nassir was occupied with another task. He trained a large number of brothers in making explosives and formed brigades to fight outside Iraq, achieving what he desired.
May God soon bring us good news about them, God willing.
The battles raged on, especially a month or two before the second Fallujah. The city's defenses were organized, and the brigades were distributed to protect its entrances. The industry was assigned to Commander Abdulaziz, al-Jubayl to Commander Abu Yassir, the military to Commander Abu Ubaydah (may God have mercy on him), the martyr-seekers to Commander Abu Abdullah al-Tunisi, and finally, the most important point, the Golan, to the martyr Commander Abu Nassir. To keep it brief, the martyr organized his group as best as he could, but this brigade was the newest in formation and included many new brothers with little experience. Suddenly, the alarm sounded, and the fires of war ignited. The second Fallujah began, and the famous breach of the front occurred from the direction of al-Jughayf–the only point on the front that we had left to others. Truth be told, they did not fall short, but this was their effort, and may God forgive us and them.
The enemy entered and besieged the Golan. Snipers suddenly appeared behind the brothers, controlling all roads and intersections, even the minarets of mosques. They advanced from the riverbank, and Abu Nassir fought like a hero. The lions began to fall: Abu al-Ayna, the commander of the riverbank point, was martyred, followed by Jassim, the cousin of Umar Hadid, then Abdul Sattar, his brother, and others. The wounds among the brothers increased, and blood began to flow. At that time, the only safe place was the southern part of the city.
Abu Nassir and Abu Hamam al-Libi (may God have mercy on them) carried out a heroic operation that astonished everyone.
Abu Nassir placed the wounded in his pickup truck and said to Abu Hamam, "You take command, and we will try to navigate through the streets and intersections filled with tanks and snipers." The plan was for Abu Nassir to advance and open heavy fire toward the tank using the BKC machine gun, while Abu Hamam would drive the vehicle through. Indeed, the plan was executed, and the brothers passed through more than ten streets and intersections.
Abu Nassir reached me in the Nazzal neighborhood, and I rejoiced at his and his companions' survival. That night, I stayed with him and Abu Hamam in a dark house with no water. I turned on my flashlight to see Abu Nassir and Abu Hamam, and they looked like two moons shining in the darkness. I marveled at the sudden beauty and realized that when a brother's time of martyrdom approaches, his character becomes beautiful, his face radiant, and he becomes a beacon among the people. That night, the two brothers appeared to me in this way, and I shivered. I said to myself, "God is the ultimate victor."
My beloved threw his body on the bed and lay down beside me, exhausted. He then told me a story his mother had once told him: "A mother said to her poor son, 'My son, eat only honey and sleep only on silk.' He replied, 'Mother, how can I do that when I am poor?' She said, 'Eat only when you are hungry, and sleep only when you are tired.'"
Morning came, and an assault team was formed from the southern to the northern part of the city. I appointed Abu Nassir as its commander. Abu Azzam al-Iraqi (may God accept him) said to him, "I hope to God that you pray Dhuhr in the Abu Ubaydah Mosque and Asr in al-Faruq"–meaning, he would open the northern part up to those points. It seemed like a fantasy, but by God's will, Abu Nassir prayed Dhuhr in the Abu Ubaydah and Asr in al-Faruq. However, a wounded brother was injured near him, so he placed him in his vehicle and returned to bring him to safety. The barrier between us was al-Hajj Husayn Street, or the street connecting the new bridge and the express bridge.
He stopped at the other side of the barrier and said, "I want to cross over to you." Brother Abdul Hadi said to him, "You have crossed several times today, and the tanks have noticed you. I fear for you, so do not cross." He replied, "I have a wounded brother who will die. God is the granter of success." Abu Hamam drove the vehicle, and Abu Nassir opened fire with the BKC on the tank as usual. Just two meters before reaching the other side, a tank shell hit the vehicle. Abu Hamam was martyred instantly, and Abu Nassir's leg was severed. He began to shout "Allahu Akbar," then testified to his faith and passed away to God's Mercy in front of his uncle, Abu Abdullah al-Shami. Among the wonders to be told, and so that people may know that God is the Protector, the wounded brother survived while his carriers were killed. He quickly got out of the vehicle and crawled to us, miraculously escaping death. God is capable, dominant, and wise. Everyone was struck with grief and sorrow known only to God, as the city lost its most important and bravest leaders in its darkest moments.
I ask God to join us with him, not deprive us of his reward, and gather us with him in the gardens of truth under the care of an Almighty King.
And I do not think, my dear brother, that you have forgotten your sisters: the family of Abu Abdullah and his daughter, the wife of Abu Nassir, and how the situation affected the woman and her daughter.
The mother lost her husband in a land where there was no uncle, no brother, not even a safe refuge. A kind brother graciously hosted them and my wife in his house, but out of extreme fear for their safety, he painted the windows black and sealed all openings so that no sound could escape to the outside.
The news had spread with those who left Fallujah that Abu Abdullah was alive and well, that he had been wounded and taken to the Saqlawiyah area, and that the servant of God had been martyred or that I was still missing. Umm Abdullah and her daughter endured patiently with my family.
Suddenly, I emerged from Fallujah after the seventy-day war, and everyone was surprised to find me alive and to learn of the martyrdom of Abu Abdullah and his son-in-law. It fell upon me, wounded as I was, to inform his foreign wife, who was in hiding, and her daughter of the news of the two martyrs. I did so, and what I feared happened. The young daughter wept for her husband, breaking my heart, for she is my daughter, and I knew her well before the hijab. I could do nothing but pray to God for her, her mother, and all her sisters, that He protect them from all harm and evil, and keep them away from the plots of enemies and spies. For the record, they are now safe, and praise be to God, some of their pain has eased, and God's mercy is upon His servants.
Written by:
Abu Ismail al-Muhajir
References to various Companions (Sahaba) of the Prophet Muhammad: Adi ibn Hatim, Hamza ibn Abdul-Mutallib, Umar ibn al-Khattab, and Abu Dharr al-Ghifari.
Referring to the Golan neighborhood of Fallujah.