“We win or we Die” – Omar Mukhtar 1931

Follow in the footsteps of Omar Al Mukhtar, a teacher by profession, resistance fighter by obligation. Inspirational leader of the Libyan resistance 1911 – 1931.
Following the 1911 Italian invasion of Libya Omar Al Mukhtar led resistance groups of Arabs, Berbers and Sanussi in a twenty year struggle for freedom, despite the most inhuman measures undertaken by the Italians.

Despite using aircraft and tanks in the desert for the first time, and thousands troops, the Italians were continually embarrassed by these “mere Bedouins” who fought with fanatical bravery, so much so, that they would bind one of their legs so that they could not run away.

A master strategist in desert warfare Muhktar would attack Italian troops where-ever he could find them and then disappear back into the desert. Mussolini then sent General “Butcher” Graziani to Libya for a final and bloody confrontation with Omar Al Muhktar and the Libyan resistance. Eventually in 1931 Sidi Omar as he was known to his followers was captured in battle, tried, and executed in front of his own people at Solluch.

The Italians had hoped that the resistance would die with Muhktar, but Omar Al Mukhtar lived on in the hearts of his people, and remains a true symbol of defiance to oppression to this day.

This little known Libyan folk hero and martyr, never forgotten in Libya, was brought to the world in the 1981 film “Lion of the Desert”.

Join us as we visit the places and battlefields associated with Omar Al Muhktar - Solluch, Benghazi, Tripoli, Wadi el Kuf, Al Bayda, The Green Mountains, Derna and more. Mohamed the only son of Omar Al Muhktar will be joining us for a short time on this tour.