Bombs for brides: Isis dowries revealed in Libya

A fighter from Misrata forces jumps from atop an armoured vehicle during an operation against Isis militants in Sirte, Libya. Photo / AP

Isis marriage contracts unearthed by pro-government forces battling the group in Libya reveal that the jihadists offered their brides unusual dowries - machineguns and explosive belts.

Forces allied with the country's unity government discovered the archives as they searched buildings seized during their months-long battle to oust Isis from its coastal bastion of Sirte.

The documents belonged to the jihadists' "Judicial and Complaints Department".
Published on pro-government forces' Facebook pages, they include marriage contracts and divorce rulings.

In one example from November 31, 2015, Abu Mansour, a Tunisian born in 1977, married a Nigerian called Miriam, in the presence of Sudanese and Malian witnesses.

In contrast to Islamic norms, Abu Mansour did not pay a dowry but vowed to pay compensation in the event of his death or the marriage being dissolved - in the form of an explosive belt.

Fatima, from Nigeria, was promised a Kalashnikov assault rifle in case of divorce or if her husband, Malian Abu Said, died.

Isis jihadists took over Sirte in June 2015 and imposed a reign of terror including executions in public squares.

They patrolled the streets in 4x4s to ensure that men were observing prayer times and women were not venturing out alone.

Forces allied with Libya's Government of National Accord launched an offensive on May 12 to retake the port city that was the home town of late dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

They cornered the jihadists in a small area in central Sirte but were slowed down by snipers and suicide bombings that have killed some 450 pro-government fighters.