al-Taliah al-Salafiyah al-Mujahediyah Ansar al-Sharia (English: Fighting Salafist Vanguard – Partisans of Islamic Law),[2] better known by the name Ansar al-Sharia (Egypt), was a radical Islamist group that operated in Egypt.

Following the Egyptian revolution in 2011, many imprisoned members of Egypt's Jihadist movements were released from prison, and there was an easing of restraints on free speech.

In 1989, Ashoush participated in the Jihad in Afghanistan, where he became a close friend of Mohammed Atef, who would later become the military chief of Al Qaeda, and became acquainted with Osama bin Laden and Ayman Al-Zawahiri.

[7] In its founding statement, the group outlines its goals including: implementation of sharia, the re-establishment of the Caliphate, supporting the mujahideen and liberating Muslim lands from occupation.

[8] In December 2012, the head of the Egyptian Federation of Human Rights requested the arrest of members of Ansar al-Sharia, after they posted online a list of prominent Egyptian personalities who should be assassinated should the state fail.