By 1915, the location and tactics of the Senussi had become critical to Germany and the Ottomans. Using guerrilla warfare and German weaponry, the tribe was able to attack Allied positions across North Africa, and these attacks were most successful against Italian forces. The Italians were driven out of several areas that they had formerly secured; this was facilitated by a previous withdrawal of Italian soldiers and marines in order to defend the Italian mainland in Europe. In 1917, the Italians were forced into a pocket of Libya, surrounded by Senussi. Desperate to escape destruction and regain control of Libya, the Italian military initiated gas attacks against Libyan civilians.
This
proved to be a waste, however. The Italians were pushed back further,
their efforts impeded by a blockade of occupied harbors. Interestingly,
postwar excavations discovered Russian weapons had been used by the
Senussi against the Italians at this time; they had likely been
confiscated by German soldiers in Eastern Europe and sent to the African
front through Ottoman ships. After the end of the war, Ottoman support
for the Senussi dropped off. The populace still managed to hold their
own for another decade, until Benito Mussolini assumed command of Italy.The Senussi had been commanded by Ahmed Sharif as-Senussi, a great hero who would become known for his efforts in defending North Africa against the Allies and his support of the Ottoman war effort. He is pictured to the right. For more in-depth information on other campaigns led by and against the Senussi, click here.
- Nick
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