The founder of Madkhalism in Saudi Arabia, Rabee Al-Madkhali, said he doesn’t remember issuing a fatwa legitimizing the war against Tripoli by Khalifa Haftar or supporting him in his military operations.
In a meeting with the Chairman of the General Authority of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs of the Government of National Accord (GNA) Mohammed Al-Abani, Al-Madkhali decried Haftar’s use of Russian mercenaries to fight alongside his forces in their aggression on Tripoli.
Al-Abani published his question to Al-Madkhali asking: “Did you really issue a fatwa that allows Haftar to enter Tripoli by force?” and added that Haftar’s loyalists are fighting and recruiting others for the war based on his fatwa.
Then, Al-Abani published the answer by Al-Madkhali as swearing to Allah that he doesn’t remember such a fatwa and that he doesn’t know. Al-Madkhali also asked Al-Abani to take his questions to the Council of Senior Scholars.
Haftar’s forces, which are leading an offensive against Tripoli, include factions loyal to the Madkhali sect, especially Al-Khamseen Group, which is commanded by the criminal wanted by the International Criminal Court Mahmoud Al-Werfalli, as well as Al-Tawheed 201 and Tariq bin Ziyad brigades.
Other brigades and factions fighting for Haftar and harbouring Madkhali views and loyalties are Al-Adiyat brigade from Zinta, Sorman investigations brigade, Subol Al-Salam brigade from Al-Kufra, and Deterrence Force of Ajdabiya and Al-Wadi brigade from Sabratha.
