Gunmen killed Saif al-Islam Gaddafi in his home in Zintan, Libya. The incident occurred on February 3, 2026. Four unidentified assailants broke into the residence in the Hammada area. They disabled surveillance cameras before the attack.
Saif al-Islam confronted the intruders in his garden. The gunmen shot him at around 2:30 a.m. local time. They fled the scene immediately after.
Background on Saif al-Islam
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi served as the second son of Muammar Gaddafi, the former Libyan leader. Meanwhile he acted as his father’s heir apparent during the regime. Rebels captured him in 2011 after Muammar Gaddafi’s death.
Authorities released Saif al-Islam in 2017. He attempted a presidential bid in 2021. However the effort derailed planned elections. He faced an International Criminal Court warrant for crimes against humanity.
Official Confirmations
Abdullah Othman, Saif al-Islam’s political representative, confirmed the death. He issued an official statement on the incident.Saif al-Islam’s office described the event as a direct confrontation. “He was killed by unknown gunmen who broke into his home,” the office stated.
Additionally a source close to the Gaddafi family told Al Arabiya that four assailants carried out the attack. “The attackers shot Saif al-Islam in the garden of his residence before fleeing,” the source said.
Potential Implications
The killing raised questions about Libya’s stability. Saif al-Islam has re-emerged in politics recently. In addition, his death occurred amid ongoing divisions in the country. Investigations continued into the motives. No group claimed responsibility yet.
