Feb 4, 2026: Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi, was killed on Tuesday when armed men entered his residence in the western town of Zintan, according to his lawyer and Libyan media sources.
French lawyer Marcel Ceccaldi said the attack took place in the afternoon and involved several unidentified assailants.
He confirmed that Seif al-Islam, aged 53, died at his home, though the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear and no group has claimed responsibility.
Once seen as a likely successor to his father, Seif al-Islam re-emerged in Libya’s political scene in recent years and announced his intention to run in the country’s long-delayed presidential election in 2021. His candidacy drew controversy as he remained wanted by the International Criminal Court over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the 2011 uprising.
Prior Warnings Over Security
Ceccaldi said there had been growing concerns over Seif al-Islam’s personal security. According to him, tribal leaders had recently offered to provide additional protection, but the proposal was reportedly declined.
Libyan television channel Al-Ahrar quoted Seif al-Islam’s adviser, Abdullah Othman Abdurrahim, as saying the attackers disabled surveillance equipment before carrying out the killing. Authorities have yet to officially confirm these details.
From Reformist Image to Controversy
Although he never held a formal government position, Seif al-Islam played a prominent political role during his father’s four-decade rule and was often presented as a reform-oriented figure prior to the Arab Spring protests.
That image faded rapidly during the 2011 revolt, when he publicly warned of harsh consequences against demonstrators opposing the regime.
After Muammar Gaddafi’s downfall, Seif al-Islam was captured in southern Libya in November 2011 under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. A Tripoli court sentenced him to death in 2015, but he was later released under an amnesty law. His location and movements remained largely undisclosed in the years that followed.
Political Reactions and Impact
Libya analyst Emadeddin Badi said the killing could have significant political implications, potentially reshaping electoral calculations by removing one of the most divisive figures from the presidential race.
Moussa Ibrahim, Muammar Gaddafi’s former spokesman, said Seif al-Islam had recently spoken about national unity and reconciliation, expressing shock over his death.
Libya’s Ongoing Instability
Libya has remained politically fractured since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011 that ended Muammar Gaddafi’s rule. The country is currently split between a UN-recognised government in Tripoli and a rival eastern administration aligned with military leader Khalifa Haftar.
An investigation into the attack is ongoing, with Libyan authorities yet to release an official statement on the incident.
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