Gaddafi’s son Saif al-Islam killed in Libya attack
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi killed at Zintan home, aides say, triggering urgent investigation calls amid Libya’s ongoing political turmoil
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the most well known son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has been killed in Libya. His death was confirmed by his lawyer and his political adviser. Local media also reported the news. The killing has shocked many and raised fresh fears about Libya’s fragile situation.
His lawyer, Khaled al-Zaidi, shared the news on social media on Tuesday, February 3. A political adviser, Abdulla Othman, also posted about the death. Both confirmed that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was 53 years old. Neither gave many details about how he was killed.
Later reports gave a clearer picture of what happened. Libyan outlet Fawasel Media quoted Abdulla Othman as saying that armed men attacked Gaddafi at his home. The house was in the town of Zintan. Gaddafi had been living there quietly for years.
A statement from Gaddafi’s political team said four masked men carried out the attack. They stormed into his home and shot him dead. The team called it a cowardly and treacherous assassination. They said the attackers came prepared and moved fast.
According to the statement, Saif al-Islam tried to resist. During the attack, the assailants disabled the house’s security cameras. This was done to hide their tracks and remove evidence. A report by Al Jazeera also mentioned these details. No arrests have been announced so far.
The killing has triggered strong reactions across Libya. Khaled al-Mishri, a former head of the High State Council in Tripoli, spoke out soon after. He warned that such a killing could push Libya deeper into chaos. He said the country is already unstable and cannot afford more violence.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi never held an official government job. Still, for many years, he was seen as his father’s chosen successor. From the early 2000s, he played a visible role in Libya’s public life. Many believed he would one day take over power from Muammar Gaddafi.
He was born in Tripoli in June 1972. Unlike many figures in his father’s inner circle, he was educated in the West. He often spoke fluent English and mixed easily with foreign leaders and scholars.
Saif al-Islam played a key role in Libya’s attempt to reconnect with the world. During the early 2000s, Libya was trying to end years of isolation. He was involved in talks that led Libya to give up its weapons of mass destruction programme. He also helped in negotiations over compensation for victims of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing.
At that time, he liked to present himself as a reformer. He spoke about the need for a constitution. He talked about limited political freedom and a bigger role for civil society. His academic work focused on global governance and reform. Many in the West saw him as a possible bridge between Libya and the outside world.
But his image changed sharply in 2011. When protests broke out against his father’s rule, Saif al-Islam stood firmly with the regime. He appeared on television and made fiery speeches. He promised to fight to the last man, woman, and bullet.
During the conflict, he became one of the main faces of the crackdown. As the regime fell apart, Tripoli was eventually taken by rebel forces. Saif al-Islam tried to flee the country. He was captured by militia fighters near the southern desert and taken to Zintan.
He remained in detention there for years. During this time, the United Nations placed sanctions on him. He was accused of crimes against humanity linked to the 2011 violence.
However, he was not under the control of the Tripoli authorities. After that, he stayed mostly out of sight. He said he faced serious security threats and lived quietly in Zintan.
In November 2021, Saif al-Islam surprised many by returning to public life. He announced that he would run for president of Libya. His move reopened old wounds and caused deep divisions. Critics saw him as a reminder of dictatorship and violence.
His bid was later rejected because of his past conviction. Legal battles followed. Disputes over his appeal added to wider disagreements. In the end, Libya’s planned election collapsed. The country slipped back into political deadlock.
Now, his killing has added another layer of uncertainty. Libya remains split between rival governments and armed groups. Many fear that the murder could spark new tensions or revenge attacks.
So far, authorities have not named any suspects. No group has claimed responsibility. For many Libyans, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was a deeply divisive figure. But his violent death is seen as a bad sign for a country still searching for peace.