Ansar al-Sharia (Mauritania)
Ansar Al-Sharia fi Bilad Sinqit, better known as Ansar al-Sharia in Mauritania (English: Partisans of Islamic Law) is a radical Islamist group that operates in Mauritania.
| تنظيم أنصار الشريعة في بلاد شنقيط (Ansar al-Sharia fi Bilad Sinqit) Partisans of Shari'a in the Land of Mauritania | |
|---|---|
 Ansar al-Sharia in Mauritania Flag | |
| Active | February 2013-present |
| Ideology | Salafist Jihadist |
| Leaders | Ahmed Salem al-Hasan |
| Area of operations | Mauritania |
| Part of | Ansar al-Sharia |
| Allies | 
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| Opponent(s) |   |
Background
The Mauritanian Ansar al-Sharia was established by Islamists jailed in the countries Dar Naim central prison on 11 February 2013. Ahmed Salem Ould al-Hasan, one of the groups founders, described its purpose as combating secularists, implementing Sharia, and reinstating the position of Islamic scholars within the nation. The group was said to have been influenced by the founding and activities of Ansar al-Sharia (Tunisia)[1]
At the time of its founding, it was joined by some Imams from extremist mosques and a few Mauritanian Islamist politicians.