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]