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An American Freedom Fighter in the Libyan Civil War: Part 1

by Jack Murphy · March 1, 2012 · Posted In: Special Operations

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As Americans, especially those in military and intelligence circles, we have an obsession with giving everything a name or September 14, 2012, 746 Comments acronym. Everyone gets a label and category. I asked Matthew VanDyke what he was doing in the middle of the Libyan Civil War. Was he a mercenary, a private security contractor, or a foreign volunteer? His answer was straight forward and The Difference Between DELTA to the point: he was a freedom fighter. and SEAL TEAM SIX

While the Huffington Post and others mistakenly reported that he was a journalist, Matt will tell you that he was anything April 6, 2012, 667 Comments but. He was conducting a recon mission when he was captured by the Libyan military and imprisoned. Once freed, he joined back up with the rebels and manned the unweildly Soviet DShK machine gun on a jeep that looked like something CIA Para-Military Personnel straight out of Mad Max, trading fire and getting into skirmishes with Gaddafi’s forces on the front lines of the war. Injured in Mexico City Attack While the National Security Council was meeting in the situation room at the White House, no doubt dabbing beads of August 30, 2012, 699 Comments sweat from their collective brows with handkerchiefs, Matt crossed into Libya and went to work. Surviving the war, Matt returned to the United States and in the tradition of Ernest Hemingway, he brought back an amazing boots on the ground account of the Libyan Civil War.

It all started when Matt was contacted by an old friend named Muiz who he had met during a motorbike tour across Northern Africa, “If I die, please tell your friends about me. On the streets fighting…fighting with hands…but we have no guns…people dying for Libya.” Matt’s friends were taking up arms against Gaddafi’s forces. They were prepared to sacrifice their lives for freedom.

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Matt believed in the cause as much as he believed in not standing aside while his friends and their families were killed off Get Updates by Email! one by one. He started making phone calls to let his mother and his girlfriend know that he would soon be departing to Libya. With a Master’s Degree in Security Studies with a concentration in the Middle East from Georgetown, but zero military experience, Matt hit the ground running in Libya where he linked up with his old friends. His first day as a freedom fighter began with him working on repairing the gun truck that he and his Libyan buddies would use in the war.

I reached out to Matt to help us understand more about the Libyan Civil War.

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Like Tactically, what did this war look like? Were there front lines, or more chaotic guerrilla hit and run type attacks? How did

both rebel and government tactics evolve as the war dragged on over a period of months. 7,150 people like SOFREP.com.

“There were front lines. Thanks to NATO intervention the sides were evenly matched enough on the ground that it never really devolved into a guerrilla war, at least not in eastern Libya where I was fighting. The terrain on the eastern front lines Allan Col Frank John Strippages Siaosi was flat, open desert, which also limited the ability to use guerrilla tactics. We didn’t really have night vision gear and the

enemy had very little, ruling out night operations. The rebels also didn’t have enough time to train, or enough experience, to be effective with guerrilla warfare. We also had an appalling lack of intel, and very little communications equipment which made coordinating attacks difficult. The enemy did hit us at Ra’s Lanuf with a hit and run attack while I was in the city, and I was part of the mission to search the desert for the attackers @BrandonTWebb afterwards. (http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/12/us-libya-idUSTRE7810I820110912) @BrandonTWebb

@ShopGovX Full review coming. Dropped off a book At the beginning of the war we mostly had small arms. The heaviest thing I saw before my capture was the DShK machine for Marc the other day too. You guys have a great gun, although I do know that rockets were being used by our side at that time. When I escaped prison and returned to the offer. 22 hours ago front lines things had dramatically changed. There were a variety of rocket launchers, AA guns, and 106s mounted on @OffDutyGamers @ShopGovX GovX are good technicals, GRAD trucks, and tanks. The artillery, GRADs, and tanks operated as organized, coordinated units, but the people. 22 hours ago majority of rebels were small militias consisting of technicals, and many rebels and militias operated largely independently. The SOFREP PX is Live. More stuff coming corerevolt.com/sofrep/ 22 hours ago

@ShopGovX you bet! 22 hours ago

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As a result, the front lines were basically both sides throwing an incredible amount of rounds at each other day after day, often without visual confirmation of the enemy, and often from great distances which meant a sometimes constant whizzing of bullets over your head fired from unknown positions. There were a lot of snipers, a lot of mortars and rockets, and a lot of seemingly random firing in the general direction of the enemy by both sides. Life or death was largely a matter of luck.

Often times you would just see muzzle flashes of the enemy, or nothing at all. Eventually the gunfire from the other side would die down because a few were killed or were flushed out and retreated, and we would advance. It was town to town, treeline to treeline, street to street, and building to building. Usually they’d put up a good fight for the day, withdraw a bit at night, take up new defensive positions, and be waiting for us as we advanced the next day. They did a good job of predicting where our rally points would be, and had zeroed on them to hit us with mortar and rocket fire when we arrived.

Most of the combat was along the coastal highway, so the front lines were predictable and well-defined. Once inside of Sirte the situation changed somewhat and several fronts opened up, and the lack of intel and communications equipment (some rebels had radios or satellite phoes but most did not, and our jeep did not) made it extremely dangerous in terms of not knowing where the enemy was at any moment, and the danger of friendly fire. Friendly fire was always a major concern http://sofrep.com/4332/an-american-freedom-fighter-in-the-libyan-civil-war-part-1/ Page 3 of 13 An American Freedom Fighter in the Libyan Civil War: Part 1 | SOFREP 9/19/12 12:05 PM

given the lack of intel and communication, and the fact that very few rebels had enough training with firearms and firearm safety.

Combat was exactly what you’d expect in a popular revolution fought by citizen soldiers. It was like something you’d expect to see after the apocalypse. Motley crews of freedom fighters in pickup trucks with a lot of weapons and little training, firing a ton of rounds in the direction of the enemy and trying to gain some ground each day. We fought with mostly 1970s and 80s Soviet weaponry. There wasn’t much body armor – I only got a used vest a few days before the war ended and it didn’t have any plates in it. I only wore it for some protection from shrapnel. I never had a helmet. The only protective gear that I had consistently were ballistic shades.

It really was just like in the media reports. And at times strange. I saw dead camels in the street in Sirte, and camels standing around calmly in the middle of combat.

I had around 40 engagements during the war. I kept notes of each one to keep track.”

Matt also found that his lack of prior experience as a Soldier wasn’t that uncommon when compared to the background of the average rebel fighter.

“Very few of the rebels had any [military experience], and of those few who did have experience (as part of the Libyan army), it wasn’t particularly good experience. The Libyan army was not particularly skilled or well-trained. Most revolutions do not involve fighters with military experience, so I fit right in.

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I had…experience going on many missions with US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan (as a war correspondent), and more experience than many rebels with firearms from doing some recreational shooting on a few occasions in the USA and overseas. Basically, I had more experience than most rebels did with military matters and weapons when I arrived in Libya in March (with the exceptions of course being the defecting military units, veterans from the Libyan war with Chad, and whatever former Libyan foreign fighters who had returned from Iraq that were serving in the rebel forces).”

Watch out for parts 2 and 3, including Matt’s thoughts about weaponry used by the rebels, his capture and imprisonment by Gaddafi’s forces, and his perspective on Libya’s future as a democracy. You can find Matt at his blog about freedom fighting, and also on Twitter and Facebook.

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I want to introduce the newest writer I’ve always been a huge fan of I’ve been looking for a good pair of to the Loadout Room Team, Dennis standard flight gloves for operations. boots for greenside training. Most of DeChant. I’ve know Denny for years I’ve tried a ton of different gloves the boots out there lately have soles and spent too ... (hard ... and ...

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ArcticWarrior 5346 pts He is a differant story thats for sure. Nobody beats Gary Brooks Faulkner, you know the guy armed with a sword looking for the sheik in Pak. Now that dude was bat shit crazy but he had balls.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

LCpl X 1320 pts ArcticWarrior Yeah, now that's who Jack should interview! Freedom fighters who drive around with COEXIST stickers a cool, but crazies like Faulkner are just fucking cooler.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

ArcticWarrior 5346 pts LCpl X Thats a great idea, Jack track that guy down and interview him. I seriously wondered how close was that nut case to sniffing out OBL all on his own.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

JackMurphyRGR 3464 pts ArcticWarrior LCpl X I always figured that he had a better chance at finding and killing Bin Laden than the CIA did...

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

ColonelProp 630 pts @JackMurphyRGR @ArcticWarrior @LCpl X it's that thin mountain air here in the Rockies that gets fellas fired up to chase terrs....not an acquaintance, I have all my faculties.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

Old PH2 4491 pts ArcticWarrior LCpl X I seem to remember he was heading to the "Tribal areas" he may have been pointed the wrong direction. Still any dude my age or older, health problems to boot. Just sayin' You got to love the fight in that old dog!

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

ArcticWarrior 5346 pts http://sofrep.com/4332/an-american-freedom-fighter-in-the-libyan-civil-war-part-1/ Page 6 of 13 An American Freedom Fighter in the Libyan Civil War: Part 1 | SOFREP 9/19/12 12:05 PM

Old PH2 LCpl X Yeah he was but its entertaining to think what if this guy caught a whisper of where he was by sheer luck, and had been the man on the ground right time right place...thats good stuff.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

LCpl X 1320 pts Here's that other Freedom Fighter in Libya:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irZOhJq5Dvo

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

ColonelProp 630 pts Good stuff Jack. Sounds like a very intriguing individual. I'll wait for the full body of work before I get anywhere near my soapbox.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

FroggyRuminates 7 pts What cause was he fighting for again? To free Libya from Qaddafi into the hands of al Qaeda? Thanks for nothing, idiot. At least Hemingway was a Commie fighting for some greater ideological purpose, this guy is taking a vacation in a combat zone and trying to parlay that into what exactly?

If you are getting rolled up by the Libyans on a "recon" you're probably not doing it right. Give me a break.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

LCpl X 1320 pts FroggyRuminates

LOL!!! I wouldn't go as far as to call this guy an idiot, but his write up about Syria on his blog was a little 3rd grader-ish. The bad guys on this side of Syria and the good guys on this side--the Gulf states are monarchies, but that's OK.

Look we screwed up (and still screwing up) on the Arab Spring, we sided with the crowd too quickly. But you can't really blame Obama's administration, cuz this was the Neo-cons' end game to "democratize" the ME, nevermind that when you open up to the crowd in that region, the crowd will opt for a more Wahhabi Islamic gov't--always. Which I would hope is something we don't want.

If VanDyke opened up with, shit I went to Libya cuz there was nothing to do and to get a book deal and get on TV, that would kinda be OK, cuz isn't everyone writing a book and trying to claim their 15 mins. of fame these days?

Now VanDyke's writing for more US involvement in Syria like it's Libya. The media blitz right now on Assad and Syria is nuts. And no one's covering the Eastern Christians. Way before France and other EU nations were banning the Ninja muslim veils, Assad banned it in his schools. We're kinda on the same side on this.

But the most important part that the media (especially people like VanDyke) is missing http://sofrep.com/4332/an-american-freedom-fighter-in-the-libyan-civil-war-part-1/ Page 7 of 13 An American Freedom Fighter in the Libyan Civil War: Part 1 | SOFREP 9/19/12 12:05 PM

about Syria is that the current President is/was actually well liked, not like Obama or Ron Paul, but because after his ashole brother was killed and his dad died, he was actually pretty laid back. He and his British wife set out to reform Syria and since the time he took on power you get the feeling that he was Michael Corleone (OK, maybe more like Fredo) proceeding to move from the criminal to a more legitimate form of gov't.

Yeah, he still had his dad's security apparatus, but his intent was clear, Godfather Part III. Just when he thought he was out, the Arab Spring pulled him back in. And honestly, what can you do? Look at Egypt and look at Libya, he's got no choice now but to fight to death. And our Syrian policy should be Ron Paul's policy, fuck you mofos, we know who you'll vote into office, this is your problem, don't expect weapons from us. Arab Spring in Syria over, and we don't have to worry about Wahhabis gaining power like in Egypt and Libya. It's that simple.

Godfather III, man, let Assad do what he's gotta do. If it's good for the Eastern Christians, it's good for us.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

Old PH2 4491 pts LCpl X Still awaiting more info on the Iranian parliamentary elections. I think you've nailed the Syrian problem.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

JackMurphyRGR 3464 pts FroggyRuminates Thinking that an opposition to Gaddafi equates to an endorsement of Al Qaeda is a simplistic and short sighted in my opinion. There were many motivations behind these rebellions, religion was just one of them. As pessimistic as I may be about the arab spring and the Middle East in general, to characterize the movement as being Islamist is incorrect. I think part 2 and 3 of this article will shed some light on this issue for you.

Also, don't forget that this revolution wold have failed if it wasn't for American intervention...

7 MONTHS AGO 1 MORE Like Reply

LCpl X 1320 pts JackMurphyRGR

Well, in Libya's case not an endorsement of Al Qaeda, but certainly the Muslim Brotherhood (they're running the show right now). The jury's still out, our most optimistic analysts and experts say they're gonna rule like the AK party in Turkey. Sure it was ignited by twenty somethings savvy in social media, but as in Iran 1978 the group that's more vicious will take control.

Qadafi was the coolest dictator in this century. Women bodyguards, camping where ever he went, funding all sorts of shit, talking smack to other Arab leaders, wearing Africa necklaces like rappers in the early 90s, the list goes on. He knew when to fold, bluff and give the finger when needed.

Right before the Arab Spring, he had a son studying green technology in CA and another studying in the UK. It was the best of times. This guy got away with murder a bunch of times at our behest. The oil companies wanted back in, released the Pan Am bomber, came home a hero, who wasn't dying after all. Happy days were here again for Libya, but the Arab fucking Spring got in the way. Sure Qadafi needed to die, but http://sofrep.com/4332/an-american-freedom-fighter-in-the-libyan-civil-war-part-1/ Page 8 of 13 An American Freedom Fighter in the Libyan Civil War: Part 1 | SOFREP 9/19/12 12:05 PM

The Muslim Brotherhood now have two neighboring countries, one with oil and the other the Suez Canal.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

Old PH2 4491 pts LCpl X Does anyone else here remember El Dorado Canyon? The reason Col. Ka Daffy camped everywhere is, he was scared shitless to stay in one place. Thank you USAF and USN. April 15th was never the same for me after '86. Yes I can still taste the JP5 when I drink from a water fountain, too much time on the Sinkin' Sara.

We put the Iranians into a vise with Iraq and Afghanistan. Looks like AQ & the Brothers are doing the same to Israel.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

LCpl X 1320 pts Old PH2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgqDT2mlENo

Hahaha, I always thought the whole camping thing was a PR stunt to make him more like a Bedouin. Good to know it was because of us.

As for the "We put the Iranians into a vise with Iraq and Afghanistan" analogy, I don't see, man.

If anything we gave 'em new allies or spheres of influence, thanks to us. The pressure in Iran, I think is more internal, ie the Revolution generation sick and tired of the mullahs and the Mahdists vs. the Mullahs. I'm sure we're playing a role, with maybe Israel playing more of a direct role, but our sabotage and propaganda campaigns is playing out.

Don't know how the parliamentary results will play out with Ahmidinejad's last years as president. This will definitely show how influential the Mahdists really are. We'll see.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

Old PH2 4491 pts LCpl X I think the new allies are the result of the law of unintended consequences. We gambled, and lost this hand. Still waiting to see how the game ends. Lot's of Poker analogies in the last day, I couldn't help myself.

Hey for a little more insight into Iran I just received a nice copy of "A conference of Birds," very old school. Nice look into the Persian mindset.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

ArcticWarrior 5346 pts LCpl X I agree with your assesment of Uncle Mo, the dude had style points for all your http://sofrep.com/4332/an-american-freedom-fighter-in-the-libyan-civil-war-part-1/ Page 9 of 13 An American Freedom Fighter in the Libyan Civil War: Part 1 | SOFREP 9/19/12 12:05 PM

above mentioned points. But Dear Leader also had flair with those 70's Elvis porn star glasses and all. Both DBs that needed to go. I personally dont have a whole lot of faith in the region. Its a complex are and you find big cultural diffs from N Africa-Arabia-Persia-hindu kush. My assesment of the MB is still out, the dust hasnt settled. Turkey is like the Kingdom, a real strange place of contrast between the West and Secular types and relgious extremists all living together in a big unhappy powder keg. I actually have more faith that IQ may be the best hope for the fledgling new Govts, but will have to see without Unle Sams checkbook how they do, but at least in their distant past they had a functional society. A-stan is fucked. Sorry to be so pessimstic buts its reality. In fact anything in the AFPAK border area is straight out of Kiplings works, or even better the 8th Century.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

ArcticWarrior 5346 pts LCpl X Old PH2 The thing with Iran is the best intel doesnt paint a picture with any clarity. In a simplistic view Ahmidinejad showed a lot of weakness in the elections and it would appear his time is over. But what about Khamenei and his loyalists? How strong a hold do they have on the rank and file on the street? What do the parliamentary elections really show? Ahmidinejad is going before the Parliament and it looks like the theocrats will win out again. The Motahed seems to be the the group that is winning biggest. If Ahmidinejad is on the outs it looks like the next guy will be even more of a hard liner doesnt it?

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

LCpl X 1320 pts ArcticWarrior Yeah, I agree with you re Turkey, man. AK is no bueno. The chicks who pressed for Libyan involvement are as fucked up as the Neo-cons, it's strange how you take both sides to its extremes you end up in the same place.

So far the only guy that seems to understand the ME is Ron Paul, I hope they make him Secretary of State, or hell, Defense. If there's no benefits for us, no money, simple enough. People should start listening to him.

Correct me if I'm wrong, PH2, but I've always saw it this way:

a. Revolution generation sick and tired of the Mullahs, Persian Spring

b. the Mullahs, status quo

c. the Mahdists, hell bent on causing problems

So, Artic, yeah Motahed's conservative but he belongs to group b. which sadly enough is the lesser evil.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

ArcticWarrior 5346 pts LCpl X Thats how I see it, once again history begs...be careful what you

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wish for.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

Old PH2 4491 pts ArcticWarrior LCpl X I just really get this vibe that we are watching a replay of the Italian Renaissance. A militarized Theocracy that is trying to hold onto the mass of humanity in it's control. Even if Ahmidinejad is replaced, it will be from some of the Republican Guard hard liners. These guys have been bribed with a cut of the nations wealth and are total invested in keeping the status quo. Even when Khameni dies a hand picked successor from the Assembly of Experts will take his place. Same ol' same ol'

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

feraljundi 47 pts Great interview and I look forward to part 2 and 3. The questions below are also something that I would like to hear answered.

7 MONTHS AGO 2 MORE Like Reply

LCpl X 1320 pts I think the break down of the Muslim foreign fighters in Iraq during the hey day was like 50% Saudis, 20% Libyans, 10% Yemenis, and then the rest.

Did he get a sense of number of Iraq or Afghan Libyan veterans on the ground? What roles did these veterans play?

I also remember reading of an Asian college kid from Socal who did the same thing, but the Libyans themselves urged him home, whatever happened to him?

Nice, non-SOF but still kick ass article.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

Old PH2 4491 pts LCpl X Just listening to NPR this Am, yeah I know it's kind of Lefty. Nice report about the backward flow of AQ materiel and men into Syria. Did something similar happen in Libya?

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

LCpl X 1320 pts Old PH2 Gotta listen to that NPR report.

Here's a good pdf article on the Sinjar Records: http://tarpley.net/docs/CTCForeignFighter.19.Dec07.pdf

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

Old PH2 4491 pts LCpl X Here's the Link if you haven't found it yet: http://www.npr.org/2012/03/01/147683908/officials-look-for-signs-of-al-qaida- surge-in-syria

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

LCpl X 1320 pts

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Old PH2 It certainly makes sense for AlQaeda to play a big role in Syria. 1. There's virtually no Muslim Brothers there (Hama massacre and resulting crack downs since)

2. Muslim Brothers are seen the more rational counter balance to AlQaeda, w/out them I can see Syria falling into an abyss.

Here's a good NYTimes op-ep which I disagree with: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/24/opinion/how-to-halt-the-butchery-in- syria.html

If I went as a freedom fighter, I won't be fighting the Assad regime but will go there to fight with and protect Eastern Christians. In many ways Syria is Eastern Christianity's last sanctuary thanks to the Assad regime.

I'm agnostic, but feel that once Eastern Christians are lost in the ME, out will go the secular Muslims and reason with them, and the ME will be going into a deeper dark age. Syria w/out oil as bouy will be an interesting case.

If Syria falls, so too Lebanon, there's already a Wahhabi revival there.

Our policy in the Arab Spring should've been, how about the Eastern Christians? Because as in Iraq they are a bell weather population. The Egyptian Copts have historically been lower class, in Syria most Eastern Christians there are high middle class. We'll see.

7 MONTHS AGO 1 MORE Like Reply

Old PH2 4491 pts LCpl X I like to think of the Eastern Christian population as the Hmong of the Vietnam era. They live in country as a separate population, usually trying not to intermix with the power base unless necessary.

You are very correct in your assessment of the Iraqi and Iranian Christians versus the Egyptian / Libyan Copts. The economic disparity is marked.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

LCpl X 1320 pts Old PH2 In Syria, Eastern Christians, particularly the Catholics and Assyrians, play a leading role, not only as Syria's educated/professional class, but as military officers. Most of the officers overlooking the Hama operation were Eastern Christians, also the same with Syria's occupying force in Lebanon. They are very intertwined with the Assad regime, so right now they are stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place. In our calculus, they should be included.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

ArcticWarrior 5346 pts LCpl X Old PH2 Syria throughout its long and most ancient history has always been an odd mix, from the Eblans foward they have always maintained an eclectic mix. Throughout history Damascus is always their, intertwined with the history of the region. If Assad falls does the MB move in? If they do, do they form a union with Egypt? What would be the implications of that

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for Israel, and by proxy us? With all the history they have its too bad they are just as whacked as every other one of their neighbors.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

ArcticWarrior 5346 pts Old PH2 LCpl X Dont leave out or forget about the Kurds. They have big footprints in Turky,IQ and Syria and could be trouble for any of those Govts.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

LCpl X 1320 pts ArcticWarrior The Kurds are a crazy bunch, man. A couple of years before this whole Arab Spring mess, up in northern Syria after almost every soccer match was a post match between Syrian forces and Kurds.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

Old PH2 4491 pts Jack, liked the reference to Ernest Hemingway, it's been a long time since the Lincoln Brigade. I wonder how many volunteers have had experience since the beginning of the Arab Spring? I look forward to reading Matt's analysis of the impact of the Muslim Brotherhood and AQ in Libya.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

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An American Freedom Fighter in the Libyan Civil War: Part 2

by Jack Murphy · March 5, 2012 · Posted In: Special Operations

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In part 1 of this series we covered the exploits of Matthew VanDyke, an American Georgetown grad who traveled to Libya September 14, 2012, 746 Comments to join his friends and participate in the armed rebellion against Gaddafi’s 40+ year dictatorship. In part 2, Matt told me about the circumstances of his capture by the Libyan military. The Difference Between DELTA

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“On March 12 I went with three other rebels on a reconnaissance mission to Brega. Ra’s Lanuf had just fallen to Gaddafi’s April 6, 2012, 667 Comments forces a couple of days before, and Brega would be attacked next. We did not think that Gaddafi would move so quickly after taking Ra’s Lanuf and thought we had a few days before Brega would be attacked. The plan was to recon the city, CIA Para-Military Personnel identify defensive positions, and then return to Benghazi to gather more men and weapons before going back to Brega to help defend it. Injured in Mexico City Attack August 30, 2012, 699 Comments On March 13, during the reconnaissance mission, we were ambushed by Gaddafi’s forces. I was struck in the head during the ambush and woke up in a prison cell to the sound of a man being tortured in a room above me. I have no memory of the ambush or what happened to the men I was with. One minute we were talking to some locals in the street who served us coffee and I took their picture, and the next thing I remember was regaining consciousness for a few seconds with my hands and legs tightly bound and me being carried, and then I woke up in the prison cell.

I had what may have been a flash of memory about the ambush return to me during my first few days in prison, but cannot be 100% sure if it was a real memory or a dream. But I believe it is a memory.”

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This is a difficult question, but do you want to go on the record regarding the mistreatment you received while you were 7,150 people like SOFREP.com. held prisoner by the Libyan military?

“I wasn’t held as a prisoner by Gaddafi’s military for long. I was interrogated once, and then transferred to the custody of Jan Col Zak Jason Frank John Libya’s Internal Security Agency and placed in Maktab al-Nasser Prison. I had video footage on me that showed me working as rebel and was captured with other rebels in a truck with a DShK mounted in the back and a RPG.

They didn’t need to ask me any more questions after the first interrogation. The reason they didn’t need to ask me any more questions after the first interrogation was because of the video footage, not because they got anything out of me. I @BrandonTWebb never confessed to being a rebel fighter. @BrandonTWebb

The interrogator accused me of being CIA or Mossad, which I denied. The reason they likely didn’t need to interrogate me @ShopGovX Full review coming. Dropped off a book again was because the video footage was better than any confession I could have given. I would never have had this for Marc the other day too. You guys have a great footage with me if I thought we were in any danger of being captured in Brega during the recon mission (it would have offer. 22 hours ago been left in Benghazi when going to the front lines to fight). @OffDutyGamers @ShopGovX GovX are good

I endured severe psychological torture in the form of solitary confinement. I was never told what I was formally accused of people. 22 hours ago or if I would ever be released. I simply ceased to exist. The guards did not know who I was. I was in a 4×7 foot dark cell The SOFREP PX is Live. More stuff coming with a small skylight and nothing to read or do except stare at the wall. I was let out of the cell 3 times a day to use the corerevolt.com/sofrep/ 22 hours ago

bathroom. I was given food 3 times a day. After 30 days I was given a bucket to wash with. After some weeks the guards @ShopGovX you bet! 22 hours ago started allowing me to walk back and forth in the locked off hallway some during meal times for my health, because I had Motive In The Middle East: All Roads Lead To Tehran become unsteady on my feet. | SOFREP fb.me/1ydLX3MkP 1 day ago

I was not physically mistreated.”

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(As the war continued to escalate, the rebels advanced on Tripoli and Matt was freed by other escaping prisoners. He had been held captive for 165 days. Hanging out in Tripoli, he linked back up with his friends and continued to fight with the rebels until they had sorted out Gaddafi and won the war.)

You mentioned on your website that you were nearby when Gaddafi was killed. I’ve been told privately that he had a PSD made up of former South African soldiers. Can you confirm who they were and elaborate on how Gaddafi met his fate?

“I’m aware of these stories but I have no first hand knowledge of who was with Gaddafi when he was killed. I was in Sirte but not at the scene when Gaddafi was killed. He was killed by fighters from Misrata (the West), and I was serving mostly on the East front lines. As for how Gaddafi met his fate, we’ve all seen the video. Other than that and what the press has reported, I don’t know anything else because I wasn’t at the scene when he was killed.”

(I also wanted to ask Matt about Western influence on the Libyan Civil War, including his own.)

I’m going to ask this question straight up because I know many others will be asking it in the future. At any time while fighting in Libya were you in the employ of any governmental organization?

“If you mean the United States or other non-Libyan government, no. After I escaped from prison and returned to the front lines I joined the Ali Hassan al-Jaber Brigade of the National Liberation Army of Libya, which was under the control of the National Transitional Council (the new Libyan government). I was issued a military ID and was entitled to payment by the Libyan government like any other soldier in the National Liberation Army. But I never accepted this or any payment for my military service.”

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While in Libya did you come in contact with any western soldiers or contractors working operationally on the ground?

“None, other than the private security advisors for some of the larger media outlets like Reuters who accompany journalists.”

We often hear information, misinformation, and disinformation all at the same time as Americans. From your experience, what is it the rebels in Libya really hoped to achieve? Were these goals accomplished or did the toppling of Gaddafi just create a vacuum to be filled by religious extremists?

“The rebels wanted to overthrow the regime. In addition to the human rights abuses, imprisonment, disappearances, and executions carried out by the regime, Libyans were fully aware of how ineffective, inept, and corrupt a leader Gaddafi was. They knew that with their oil wealth, small population, and proximity to Europe that Libya should look far more like Dubai.

The goals of the rebels were simply freedom and democratic governance.

The goals were accomplished. There will be elections, and Libya will surely develop into a successful, peaceful, democratic country. It may take some time, however, after 42 years of authoritarian rule, to establish a stable, democratic country. I predict that by the end of 2012 Libya will be well on its way to becoming the envy of the Arab world.

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Religious extremists don’t have much power in Libya. They never have and never will. Even some of the former Libyan Islamic Fighting Group members want a democratic government, and likely realize that they can win elections playing within the system. And they should be welcome to participate in the electoral process, it is up to Libyans now to determine their future using the ballot box in a free and open system.”

Stick around for part 3 of this series with American freedom fighter Matthew VanDyke, where he explains the improvisedRead next

weapons used by the Libyan rebels and rates the various rifles, machine guns, and grenade launchers that they had or An American Freedom Fighter in the Libyan captured from Gaddafi’s forces. Matt will also explain how he feels about the future of Libya. You can find Matt at his blog Civil War: Part 1 As Americans, especially those in military and and freedom fighting, and also on Twitter and Facebook. intelligence circles, we have an obsession with giving everything a name or acronym. Everyone gets a label ... About Our Links We link to other websites if we find their content compelling. We also link to relevant products on Amazon.com as affiliates. The money

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chuckflint What about Kony 2012, opinions on the US role?

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

ArcticWarrior 5346 pts Jack thats a major league look from the inside out. Great interview, great imagery.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

JackMurphyRGR 3464 pts ArcticWarrior Standby for Part Three and a mini-documentary...

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

gunslinger6 67 pts Great write up jack keep them coming

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

Old PH2 4491 pts I can remember being in Venezuela in the 80's made some good friends. I never thought a left wing, nearly Cuban, government would form there either. None of us can see the future. But we can prepare, best not to burn any bridges. Maybe we don't want to be too heavy handed in our dealings with the new powers that be. But we also don't want to encourage behavior that will permit an enclave for extremists. A north African Dubai would be nice to see. I recall that Tunisia was kind of heading that way before the "Spring." Non representative government is always a target for freedom loving peoples.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

ArcticWarrior 5346 pts Old PH2 And we need patience. Jeffersonian Democracies dont just mature overnight. Kind of like free elections in IQ, sometimes the guy we like isnt what the voting population wants and

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vice versa, or in the extreme, Lebanon where the populace voted in the Iranians choice.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

LCpl X 1320 pts "I was not physically mistreated.” *** Were his other colleagues physically mistreated, why was he not physically mistreated?

"Religious extremists don’t have much power in Libya. They never have and never will." *** What does he think of the Muslim Brotherhood in Libya, now being billed as the most organized party and most well funded?

Great interview, Jack. Kudos!!!

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

Tango9 5394 pts LCpl X "I was not physically mistreated.” *** Were his other colleagues physically mistreated, why was he not physically mistreated? Read more: http://sofrep.com/4340/an- american-freedom-fighter-in-the-libyan-civil-war-part-2/#ixzz1oNXnErm0

That's like asking why an elephant didn't run into my house today. There's no possible answer: it just didn't happen.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

JackMurphyRGR 3464 pts Tango9 LCpl X His colleagues were most likely executed. Matt can provide better answers of course, but there was no need for the guards to force a confession since he had a video footage on his person when he was captured that showed him fighting alongside the rebels.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

Tango9 5394 pts JackMurphyRGR LCpl X I'm sure they recognized he was western, and therefore might be valuable. You don't want to be the idiot that mangles the potential high value prisoner.

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

LCpl X 1320 pts JackMurphyRGR Well after the Sinjar raid, DoD dealt directly with Libya and prior to that CIA played the rendition game with Libya.

It'd be interesting if the guys who got him actually had had relations with JSOC, DoD, CIA, etc. hence the otherwise better treatment. And also, whether at that point these Libyan security type guys were still hoping the good relations with the west would return after this upstart rebellion was crushed.

I'm sure he can write a whole book with just his prison time alone. Very interesting.

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Tango9 5394 pts LCpl X JackMurphyRGR That book would read: "I stared at a wall. I peed. I ate crap food. Rinse, repeat."

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

LCpl X 1320 pts Tango9 LOL!

I was thinking along the lines of Admiral Stockdale's books and articles, but an updated version for the facebook/twitter/blog generation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Stockdale

7 MONTHS AGO Like Reply

LCpl X 1320 pts LCpl X I'm sure you're mind is at it's most imaginative and creative when all you're doing is pissing, pooping and eating. Admiral Stockdale's life was defined by his imprisonment and he gave the best talks through out the Marine Corps in the 1990s, it touched so many Marines (about fighting for the moral high ground) that my Capt. who was a mustang, gave us all books written by Admiral Stockdale, "Thoughts of a Philosophical Pilot" and "Courage under Fire".

I'm sure it wasn't just my former Capt. who was influenced by this man, because every Marine I've met, former and current, have talked about Stockdale's philosophies, Stoicism Stockdale style just fits the Marine Corps.

If you look at the current blogger/facebook/twitter generation, VanDyke being one of them, cuz I'm sure he recorded his exploits (like so many of us these days) to tweet it or post it on youtube, etc. no philosophy, if there is it's about taking a video of me or taking a picture of me, me, me... Stockdale is almost lost now, but I'm sure his speaking tours in the 1990s helped us win the moral high ground in these current wars. So, a Stockdale type book would be more interesting, than any other war books that's come of late.

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An American Freedom Fighter in the Libyan Civil War: Part 3

by Jack Murphy · March 9, 2012 · Posted In: Special Operations

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Matthew VanDyke joins us for a final installment about his time spent as a freedom fighter in Libya. As a former Special September 14, 2012, 746 Comments Forces Weapons Sergeant, I couldn’t help but pick his brain a bit about the weapons used during the Libyan Civil War.

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(remote control guns, home made rocket launchers, ect…) have before hand and what was the learning curve like. How did these improvised weapons preform in combat?

“The devices were very impressive, but not particularly complex. The rocket launchers were steel pipes, wiring, a simple push-button panel, and an automotive battery. They made bullet shields out of steel plating.

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One of the rebels in charge of ammunition for our brigade showed me once how he had started taking warheads from one Like rocket system and using them for another that he had a shortage of warheads for, making them compatible by using a pipe 7,150 people like SOFREP.com. fitting to connect the warhead to the rocket. I met another rebel who used to be an Air Force pilot for Gaddafi with an interesting technical background (he had once modified communications equipment in his MiG to pick up NATO transmissions, which when discovered by the Soviets led Frank John Allan Zak Jan Brody them to complain to the Libyan government about modifying the MiGs). He retired many years ago and used his

technological proficiency during the war to modify GRAD rockets for increased range, and developed a rocket launcher that could be rotated after firing to launch another salvo of rockets at a different firing angle. He showed me a hundred year old Continsouza M-16 rifle he had modified with a modern sniper scope, and had calibrated it by laser and test firing. The guy was like Q from the James Bond films, a brilliant man.” @BrandonTWebb

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What weapons performed well and which didn’t? I saw in some of your pictures that you had FN P90 Sub-machine guns Cold Steel’s Spearpoint Tactical Folder: The Hold and the newer FS 2000 rifle that I assume you captured from Libyan forces… Out II “The AK-47 of course always performed well. Not all of the rebels knew how to clean their weapons, and although we had New Writer – Dennis DeChant, Former Scout Sniper a unit from Ajdabiya that performed a cleaning service, it was good to have reliable, low maintenance AK-47s. I met a rebel who had a FN FAL, and when I saw him later in the war he had an AK-47. When I asked him what happened to the FN, he A Solid Pair of Gloves – The OTTE M1 Combat Glove System said he traded it for the AK-47 because the FN needed too much cleaning.

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I mostly served as a DShK gunner on the KADBB Desert Iris jeep, with my Libyan friend Nouri Fonas as the driver (we have known each other for four years, having met in Mauritania in 2007). I had a FN FAL captured brand new from a Gaddafi stockpile near Sirte. I usually carried my AK-47 though because of the reliability factor and greater ammo capacity. I also used a PKT machine gun (that had been taken off a tank and thus lacked a stock, and had a steel bar welded onto it as a grip) and a FN F2000 in combat a few times. They both belonged to Nouri’s brother and were on loan to us. I also used a RPG in combat that belonged to another rebel. I had no major problems with the AK-47 or the FN FAL during the war. I always considered my FN FAL to be what I used when I needed greater accuracy, and my AK-47 is what I usually kept on me at all times as my always dependable weapon.

We had some problems with the PKT because it would get dirty, and stoppages caused by rounds being misaligned in the ammo belt. The DShK was dangerously unreliable. Ours needed a good amount of oil at times to avoid stoppages. This caused problems a few times, and a rebel once told me that many rebels were killed during the war because of DShK problems. The FN F2000 was reliable, but ammunition for it was very scarce. I mostly used it for the 40mm grenade launcher. I carried it for the grenade launcher several times before we even found a mag for it. I think many of the rebels were under

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the false impression that it was a sniper rifle because it had a scope. I had no problems with the Russian-made RPG launcher either.

At the beginning of the war we had found a couple of 60mm mortar tubes made in the USA in the 1940s, and a Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. bipod for one of them. We found these at the Rajma weapons storage facility base, and they had survived the aerial bombing of the base a few days earlier. I called a US Special Forces soldier [not this editor -Jack] I knew in the states to ask for basic advice about mortars. Our group in March had planned to use these mortars during the war, but never got the chance because of the ambush in Brega. I never saw a P90 used during combat. The P90 I was photographed with was the only one I ever saw. It was in Sirte, but I never fired it, and never saw anyone fire it.

The Ajdabiya weapons service team were amazing. They had a large truck with an air compressor they used to clean weapons with a diesel fuel and compressed air spray. They and others made repairs and modifications to weapons that were essential to keeping them in service. They were some of the most brilliant and hardworking rebels in the war.” You mentioned that there was a specialized cell that serviced weapons out on the front lines, were there any other specialty units, and did these units self organize organically or how did they come about?

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“The weapons repair and service units appeared to have just gotten together on their own. The main one on the east side were a group from Ajdabiya city with a variety of backgrounds. They were mostly weapons cleaning and servicing. The more mechanic and serious weapons repair group were not from Ajdabiya I don’t think, but they also appeared to just develop organically. I don’t think either of these units were under the direction of the NTC or any katiba (brigade). They just showed up each day at a rally point behind the front lines and everyone knew where to find them. I stayed at the house they were using in Sirte a couple of times and got to know them fairly well. Without them the war would have been very difficult. They were indispensable. Food and water supply was handled the same way it appeared. Trucks would just show up with plastic bags of food (mostly juice boxes, packaged sweet pastries, etc.), occasionally hot food in containers, and bottles of water. There were also the civilian volunteers who would bring pickup trucks near the front lines and serve us food, water, etc. out of the back of the truck. There were also women making meals, which would then be brought to the front. Occasionally they would contain little pieces of paper with sayings in Arabic to encourage us. It was very inspiring. It really was a war effort, and so many people got involved to support us. When there was a need people showed up to fill it. One time a truck showed up and delivered shoes (with KBR label on the boxes, not sure if it was THAT KBR or not, I have pictures and video) because some rebels didn’t have good shoes. On the west side they had a snack bar with men serving coffee, making sandwiches, and once I saw them giving away packets of cigarettes. It was an organized operation. I think it was mostly intended to service the medics and journalists, but others ate there sometimes as well (including Nouri and I). There wasn’t enough organization to really accomplish this in any other way than people stepping up to fill needs as they arose. It was an incredible thing to see. I am not sure where exactly the food and water was coming from or who coordinated the supply lines. I was just glad they were there. Our commander gave Nouri and I control of the jeep to use as we saw fit, which meant that when our brigade was awaiting orders, etc., Nouri and I would go and fight alongside other brigades as well. This meant we had many engagements with the enemy, but being out on our own so much also meant that we didn’t spend as many days at our brigade’s base and weren’t around for meal times. I know that the brigades knew when and where the supplies would be and were well supplied, but Nouri and I were in a special situation since we often operated independently of the brigade, and since we were on our own and away from the brigade so often we ended up eating with other rebels or finding our own food.”

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There is a still a lot of skepticism about the future of Libya, not to mention the Arab Spring in general, but what is your personal opinion about the future for democracy in this region? “The region will have democracy. Islamists will win the first few elections because they’re already organized and will be better at playing politics than their secular opponents. The populations of recently liberated countries will tend to be more religious, as the violence, hardship, and loss during war tends to make people embrace religion more. As a result the Islamists will do well at the polls at first, which is actually a good thing. It is far better to have them integrated into the political process than outside of it where they’re more likely to use violence or subterfuge in seeking power. Once they realize that the new war is political and they can be victorious working peacefully within the system (and benefiting from the perks and corruption of it as well), they will embrace politics. Given the pace of secularization worldwide (accelerated by access to the internet and Western popular culture), Islamists won’t dominate politics for more than a few election cycles. The youth of the Arab world want many of the same things that Western youth want (including the vices), and they have little desire to live under the thumb of Islamists. Additionally Islamists aren’t necessarily skilled at governance, and when they govern poorly they’ll be voted out of power.

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But in the end, it is up to the people of these countries to decide their future at the ballot box. Beyond advocating for democracy and helping them to achieve it, it isn’t my place, or anyone else’s, to tell them who to elect or who not to elect.

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If they want to elect an Islamic government so be it, and we’re free to then interact diplomatically with that government however we see fit for our interests. Trying to influence politics in these countries is a very risky game that is unlikely to work, and might backfire. Nothing can stop the Arab Spring, and it will spread to an Iranian Spring, African Spring, and Asian Spring. The 21st century will be the century of freedom. I am confident that there won’t be an authoritarian regime left in the world by the mid-21st century.” A huge thank you to Matthew VanDyke for sharing his incredible story with us and educating us about what was really happening on the ground in Libya. I find that these boots on the ground accounts are particularly enlightening to all of us here in America who had the often dubious mainstream media to rely upon for information. You can find Matt at his blog and freedom fighting, and also on Twitter and Facebook.

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