February 2026 — Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the influential son of Libya’s late leader Muammar Gaddafi, has reportedly been killed at the age of 53, according to multiple media outlets. Conflicting accounts of his death have emerged, and no official government confirmation has yet been issued.
Conflicting Reports
Local and regional media reported that Saif al-Islam was shot dead in Zintan, a town southwest of Tripoli where he had lived for much of the past decade. Other sources claimed he was killed during armed clashes near the Hamada oil field, while some reports suggested he was attacked by assailants at his residence. His sister is said to have announced his death on Libyan television, but authorities have remained silent.
Background
Born in 1972, Saif al-Islam was long considered the heir apparent to Muammar Gaddafi. He played a central role in Libya’s outreach to Western governments during the 2000s, presenting himself as a reformist voice while defending the regime’s policies. Following the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed his father, Saif al-Islam was captured by opposition forces and imprisoned for six years. Despite his imprisonment, he remained a symbolic figure for loyalists and attempted a political comeback, registering as a candidate for Libya’s presidential elections in 2021.
Political Significance
Saif al-Islam was regarded as the second most powerful figure in Libya until the fall of his father’s regime. His death marks the end of a controversial chapter in Libyan politics, closing the door on one of the last surviving figures of the Gaddafi dynasty with ambitions to reclaim power.
Reactions
Supporters have described him as a “mujahid” (fighter), while critics see his death as the closure of a turbulent legacy. Analysts warn that his killing could further destabilize Libya’s fragile political landscape, where rival factions continue to struggle for control. The absence of an official statement raises questions about who was behind the attack and what it means for Libya’s future.
The Diplomacy Express (TDE) will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as official confirmation and further details emerge.
