From the Biographies of the Distinguished Martyrs: (28) Abu Turab al-Libi
A Libyan jihadist in Iraq
The twenty-eight “distinguished martyr” is a Libyan jihadist named Abu Turab al-Libi. Most of the biography discussed his combat exploits, so I will not spoil them. However, there are a few notable details about the composition of JTJ’s “special units.” Abu Turab built and led the anti-air unit, and participated in the raid on Abu Ghraib–Abu Anas al-Shami and Abu Muhammad al-Lubnani partook and died in this raid. Similarly, an Abu Hajar al-Lubnani led a rapid attack unit, similar to one led by Abu Ja’far al-Maqdisi. We also hear brief references to two Arabian jihadists, Abu Muhjan al-Makki (Saudi) and Abu Hazm al-Yemeni. The key role of foreigners in JTJ was well-known, but this biography helps fill in the exact details.
Abu Turab al-Libi
He was a student of knowledge, a memorizer of the Book of God, a man of noble lineage and honor, from a wealthy and affluent family. His father owned an aluminum factory, and both he and his older brother tried repeatedly to dissuade Abu Turab from migrating for jihad, but they could not sway him. He had made up his mind, despising inaction and cowardice, knowing what God demands from His servant and what is expected of him. So he headed to Cairo, then to Jordan, where he was arrested immediately upon arrival on suspicion of intending to travel to Iraq. After hours of interrogation, he was released, then proceeded to Iraq and joined a specialized training camp. Later, he entered another specialized course prepared by the commanders in preparation for the assault on Abu Ghraib prison. Our brother excelled in it, and then he was chosen by the commander for the honor of joining the knights in the prison raid.
He also took part in the Ghazwat al-Tha’ar [“Battle of Vengeance”], where he commanded one of the groups. He participated in the attack on the Al-Haswa checkpoint and the storming of what was known as the "Counter-Terrorism Center." In short, from the moment he joined, he fought in every battle in which his battalion had participated. Later, he was entrusted with the leadership of the Air Defense Battalion–or rather, he was tasked with establishing it. He worked diligently, training the brothers, gathering the necessary weapons, and preparing rocket launchers and anti-aircraft guns, among other weapons suitable for air defense.
On one occasion, while driving his car, he had an explosive round loaded in the back. When he hit a dirt bump, the car shook violently, causing the round to discharge toward the driver. The projectile struck Abu Turab in the thigh, and he was immediately taken for treatment, leaving the battalion without its commander. During his recovery, he pushed himself to visit and check on his brothers, and he continued doing so until he healed and resumed his activities.
One day, he sat with his brothers in the presence of the da’wah [preaching] official and said: "Here is the Sharia official among you. If anyone has a grievance against me, let them speak now and take justice. I do not permit anyone to hold anything against me in their heart. Speak now before I fall [in battle]."
On a pitch-black night, after the Isha prayer, I was with a group of brothers who had just settled in after a grueling day when the roar of Apache helicopters echoed in the distance. The sound grew closer, so I stepped out to see where they were. It turned out they were hovering near another group of brothers. Within seconds, a missile shattered the silence of the night with its explosion. I saw the red flare of a second missile shoot out before a second explosion rocked the air, followed by a third.
Dread gripped me–I knew this concerned my brothers. The helicopters would not strike unless they had a real target. Morning came, and a storm of wind and rain swept over the land, unlike anything Iraq had seen in a long time. It was as if the winds were mourning the loss of a beloved, and the sky wept for him.
Later, one of the lions went to the bombing site but could not enter, as the enemies had blocked people from entering or leaving the battlefield.
Yes, a battle had indeed taken place. On the day of the airstrike, the Air Defense Battalion had gone out as usual for guard duty, spreading its lions across a wide area, prepared for any intruder attempting to breach the sky. At noon, something glinted in the sky–one of the brothers spotted it through binoculars from a distance. The commander sent warning messages to his heroes: "Men, I believe our enemies have arrived. Get ready."
It was not long before the sound of Apaches filled the sky–those helicopters about which the enemy had spread legends: striking in all directions, engaging dozens of targets at once, with radar and control systems capable of launching missiles guided by heat, sound, and light. But all this was either pure falsehood or truths whose magic would be broken when faced with soldiers of faith.
The commander shouted "Allahu Akbar!" once, twice, then a third time, and the brothers launched their attack on the helicopters in perfect coordination, each fulfilling his role. Whenever the helicopters flew in fast, the sector commander would engage them, and when they moved to another sector, another group of lions would be waiting to pounce. The enemies of God had no choice but to climb higher and higher until they were mere dots in the sky–out of range of the heroes’ fire, yet unable to achieve anything themselves. The helicopters eventually retreated in defeat.
By late afternoon, the enemies of God returned, and the heroes rose to confront them again. The enemies tried their tricks, but God’s power prevailed–a PKC round was more effective than Saddam’s missiles or the tools of the West. The enemies fled once more.
About an hour later, the American enemies of God came on foot through a back route, navigating farmland and narrow paths to avoid landmines. They came in full force. The news reached the Rapid Intervention Force, which patrolled the area, lying in wait for the enemy. In moments, the lions surged forward like a raging flood, led by the valiant hero, the noble commander, and the Lion of God–Abu Turab al-Libi, the regional commander and leader of the Rapid Intervention Force. In another vehicle came the Lions of Monotheism, the soldiers of God, led by Abu Hajar al-Lubnani, the seasoned trainer, the fearless leader, and the heroic martyr-in-waiting. Beside him was the martyr Abu Hazm al-Yemeni, known for his calm, serenity, and dignity. In the third group was Abu Muhjan al-Makki–may God preserve him and keep him as a treasure for the faith and its people, benefiting them and elevating his rank in ‘Illiyyin [the highest Paradise].
They arrived and quickly organized their ranks, taking up combat positions. Suddenly, Abu Hazm stepped into the street with his PK machine gun, neither taking cover nor shielding himself. He faced the Americans head-on, shouting "Allahu Akbar!" Three of them fell dead instantly before he, too, fell as a martyr–may God have mercy on him.
At the same moment, Abu Hajar al-Lubnani loaded his RPG and chanted Al-Hur Tanadi [“the Maidens’ Call”]. He advanced, fired his rocket into their midst, then grabbed his PK and, like his brother Abu Hazm, embraced death with his chest bare–for he knew what makes the Lord smile upon His servant. (As in the hadith of Mu’adh bin ‘Afra, who asked: "O Messenger of God, what makes the Lord smile at His servant?" He replied: "When he plunges into the enemy barehanded.")
He did not linger before falling as a martyr–may God have mercy on him and grant him spacious gardens in Paradise.
Then, Commander Abu Turab ordered his brother Abu Muhjan to retreat, taking one of the wounded with him. Abu Muhjan refused, but his commander insisted: "Go, get in the car, and take our brother. I’ll cover you as you pass by them."
The lion Abu Turab charged forward with his PK, raining hellfire upon the enemy until Abu Muhjan escaped safely with the wounded.
The fighting subsided, leaving nine dead Americans and two martyred brothers–may God elevate their ranks. The brothers withdrew to a house, and the enemy air support, thinking the battle was over, also retreated. But soon, the enemies of God surrounded the house and began bombarding it, demanding their surrender over loudspeakers.
The brothers’ response was swift and decisive–a barrage of Kalashnikov and PK fire struck one of the advancing soldiers, sending him straight to Hell. The enemies continued bombing until they assumed the brothers were finished. Then, two or three soldiers advanced–only for another lion of God to emerge and send them to join their predecessors in the Fire.
The enemies could do nothing until their air support arrived and struck the house with three missiles, while grenades continued to rain from a distance. The house was utterly destroyed, and the noble commander Abu Turab, along with his companions, joined the mercy and pleasure of God.
I ask God to accept them among the martyrs, to reunite us with them, to not deprive us of their reward, and to not test us after their loss.
Written by:
Abu Ismail al-Muhajir