ZINTAN, Libya — Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the most prominent son of Libya's late dictator Muammar Gaddafi and once viewed as his potential successor, was assassinated on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, in the western Libyan city of Zintan, multiple sources and Libyan officials confirmed.
The 53-year-old was shot dead at his home by four masked gunmen who stormed the residence, disabled security cameras, and engaged him in a direct confrontation before fleeing the scene. His political team described the attack as a "cowardly and treacherous assassination," while forensic examinations confirmed he died from gunshot wounds.
The killing occurred in Zintan, approximately 136 kilometers (85 miles) southwest of the capital, Tripoli, where Saif al-Islam had been based for much of the past decade—first as a prisoner following his capture in 2011 and later as a free man after his release in 2017 under a general amnesty.
His lawyer, Khaled al-Zaidi, and political adviser, Abdullah Othman (also referred to as Abdulla Othman Abdurrahim), announced the death on social media platforms including Facebook. Othman stated that the assailants were unidentified armed men who carried out the attack in the garden or private area of the home. A source close to the Gaddafi family told Al Arabiya that the gunmen shot him point-blank before escaping.
Libya's Attorney General's Office launched an investigation on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Prosecutors dispatched investigators and forensic doctors to Zintan, where they examined the crime scene, collected evidence, interviewed witnesses, and conducted an autopsy. Preliminary findings confirmed death by gunfire, with efforts underway to identify suspects. The office emphasized that the inquiry would seek transparency in determining the circumstances and perpetrators.
Khaled al-Mishri, former head of the Tripoli-based High State Council—an internationally recognized advisory body—called for an "urgent and transparent investigation" into the killing via a social media post on Tuesday. Saif al-Islam's sister reportedly told Libyan television that he had died near the country's border with Algeria, though she did not specify the cause or provide further details, leading to some initial discrepancies in reports.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi held no formal government position under his father's regime but wielded significant influence as a key advisor and public face of the Gaddafi government. Educated in the United Kingdom, he studied at the London School of Economics and was often portrayed as a reformist figure promoting modernization and dialogue with the West. However, he was also accused of playing a central role in suppressing dissent during the 2011 Arab Spring uprising that ultimately toppled his father.
During the 2011 Libyan Civil War, Saif al-Islam attempted to flee the country after opposition forces seized Tripoli. He was captured by the Abu Bakr Sadik Brigade militia on a desert road and detained in Zintan for nearly six years. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him in 2011 for alleged crimes against humanity, including murder and persecution during the crackdown on protests. In 2015, he was sentenced to death in absentia by a Tripoli court for war crimes, though the sentence was never carried out.
Released in 2017 amid shifting alliances and an amnesty law, Saif al-Islam largely stayed out of the public eye in Zintan, occasionally issuing statements or attempting political comebacks. He registered as a presidential candidate ahead of planned 2021 elections, which were ultimately postponed due to disputes over candidacy and security concerns. His bid was seen by some as a spoiler that complicated unification efforts in the fractured country.
Libya has remained deeply divided since Muammar Gaddafi's ouster and killing in 2011, with rival governments, militias, and foreign-backed factions vying for control. The assassination has raised concerns about further instability in the western region, where Zintan has long been a stronghold for certain armed groups. No group has claimed responsibility, and the motive remains unclear, though speculation points to lingering rivalries, revenge for past grievances, or efforts to eliminate potential political threats.
International reactions have been muted so far, with few governments issuing immediate statements. The killing underscores the persistent volatility in post-Gaddafi Libya, where political figures associated with the old regime or current power struggles face ongoing risks.
As investigations continue, Libyan authorities have urged calm and cooperation to uncover the truth behind what many describe as a targeted political assassination.
