Gunmen Kill Gaddafi’s Son, Saif al-Islam, in Libya -

By Mustapha Muhammad Tukur Illo

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the most prominent son of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has been assassinated in the western Libyan city of Zintan, Al-Jazeera English reported.

His political adviser, Abdullah Othman, and lawyer, Khaled el-Zaydi, who confirmed the killing in a statement on Tuesday, said Saif al-Islam was shot dead after four masked men stormed his residence in Zintan.

Saif al-Islam, 53, was Gaddafi’s second son, and had been based in Zintan since the 2011 Libyan uprising. He was initially held in detention following the fall of his father’s government but was released in 2017, after which he quietly began making moves toward a political comeback.

Before the 2011 revolt, Saif al-Islam was widely regarded as his father’s heir apparent and one of the most powerful figures in Libya. However, his image changed dramatically during the Arab Spring protests, as he remained a central figure throughout the violence that plunged the country into civil war.

He faced widespread allegations of torture and the use of excessive force against opponents of his father’s rule. By February 2011, the United Nations had placed him under sanctions and imposed a travel ban.

In March 2011, NATO launched airstrikes on Libya following a UN resolution authorising “all necessary measures” to protect civilians from forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi. Three months later, Saif al-Islam announced that his father was willing to organise elections and step down if defeated at the polls, an offer rejected by NATO as the military campaign continued.

By June 2011, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against Saif al-Islam for alleged crimes against humanity. He remained on the run until after the killing of his father and younger brother, Mutassim, in Sirte on October 20, 2011.
His assassination adds a new layer of uncertainty to Libya’s already fragile political and security landscape.