18 Lion of the Deserti

It seems like it was in 2008. After finishing my summer vacation, I returned to Tripoli from India, and before heading to my work location in Ghat, I stayed at my friend Surendra's house for a couple of days at his insistence. One day, while casually changing TV channels, I came across the Star Movies channel, and on the screen, I saw the words “Lion of the Desert.” I thought to myself, "What is this? Who is the Lion of the Desert? What desert? Which lion? What?" My curiosity was piqued. I decided to watch it and sat in front of the TV to watch the entire movie. I soon realized that the film was based on the life story of a bold fighter from the Libyan desert. This "Lion of the Desert" was none other than Omar Mukhtar, the man who led the revolution against the Italians and ignited the fire of independence among the Libyans. He fought the Italians for nearly twenty years, becoming a symbol of resistance and heroism. Until I saw this film, I had no idea who Omar Mukhtar was or what his significance was in Libya. Omar Mukhtar was born on August 20, 1858, in the village of Zanzur in the Sarnika province. He completed his primary education at a mosque in his village and later studied for eight years at the Senussi University, where he became a teacher and taught the Holy Quran. However, he was not just a teacher; he was also well-versed in military strategies for desert warfare. Additionally, he knew the hidden routes and paths within the Sahara Desert, which helped him fight the Italian military forces who had invaded Libya. At the beginning of the 20th century, many nations around the world were struggling for various reasons. During this time, many countries were looking for ways to extend their political and economic power and influence. Italy, after recapturing the city of Rome, set its sights on Libya, a neighbouring country. In 1911, the Italians arrived at the shores of Tripoli with their warships, firing their guns and taking control of the city. They also captured Benghazi, Misrata, and Derna. However, the people in these cities did not easily surrender, and the Italians faced significant resistance. To suppress the Libyan resistance, the Italians were forced to wage several wars. Despite numerous battles, the Italian forces were unable to fully subjugate the entire country because many rebels fled their homes to take refuge in the desert's rugged mountainous regions. There, under the leadership of Omar Mukhtar, they formed a strategy to fight the Italians. Some of the other key fighters in this movement were Ramadan al-Swahili, Muhammad Farhat, al-Fadil Bo-Omar, Suleiman al-Barauni, and others. Together, they fought back against the Italians using guerrilla tactics and strategies. Over the course of these twenty years, they won many battles, killing countless soldiers, tormenting the Italian forces, and making their presence a nightmare for them. The Italian forces could not defeat them and were haunted by their relentless resistance.

During this period, the Italian army constructed concentration camps and forcibly transported those who opposed them, including the wives, children, siblings, parents, and relatives of the fighters, to these camps. Between May 1930 and September 1930, around 80,000 Libyans were taken to concentration camps under the supervision of Italian soldiers, as reported by the locals. The conditions in the camps were dire. Many Libyans died from hunger and disease. According to Libyan historian Muhammad Ali Atayeb, by November 1930, as many as seventeen funeral rites were being conducted each day. However, some major newspapers worldwide reported on the inhumane acts, drawing the attention of human rights committees. This led the Italian army to ease the harsh conditions slightly, providing each Libyan with 22 kilograms of barley per month. Despite this, many Libyans continued to die in the camps due to starvation. Meanwhile, in the mountainous regions, Omar Mukhtar and his companions continued their struggle against the Italian invasion. By 1931, however, the fighters were severely lacking in food and weapons. At that time, Omar Mukhtar was 83 years old. Many of his friends advised him to retire from the struggle and leave the country, but Omar Mukhtar rejected their advice and continued his fight as usual. One day, during his ongoing battle against the Italians, he was severely wounded and captured, marking the end of his twenty-year struggle. Even in prison, his hands and feet were shackled because the Italian army feared he might escape at any time. On September 16, 1931, Omar Mukhtar was publicly hanged in front of his companions and the public. Thus, his twenty years of resistance came to an end. Before being hanged, he quoted famous verses from the Holy Quran: "I came from Allah, and I return to Allah." Following Omar Mukhtar's death, the Italians breathed a sigh of relief and were able to easily bring all of Libya under their control. Libya remained under Italian rule until 1943. However, after Italy's defeat in World War II, Libya came under the control of the United Nations. Later, on December 24, 1951, Libya gained independence and declared itself a sovereign state. From then on, Idris, a Libyan citizen, became the first king of Libya by taking control of the country. In 1969, while Idris went to Turkey for medical treatment, Muammar Gaddafi and his junior officers seized power and ruled Libya effectively until 2011. In 2011, some rebels succeeded in overthrowing Gaddafi. In June 2012, elections were held, and a democratic government was established, rewriting Libya's history. Omar Mukhtar is held in immense respect and admiration by the people here. His courage and sacrifices are deeply remembered by the locals. The Gaddafi government had honoured him by printing his portrait on the 10 dinar note. The current government has continued this tradition, displaying his portrait in all government offices and streets across Libya. His name has been given to numerous streets, and his legacy extends to other Arabic countries as well. Many fighters in Libya consider him a source of inspiration, and they assert that he was the driving force behind the Libyan revolution. Photo: Omar Mukhtar Kannada Original: Uday Itagi English Translation: Uday Itagi