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Why did Saif al-Islam Gaddafi have to die? | Muammar Gaddafi

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi Assassinated in Libya

ZINTAN, Libya — Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was shot multiple times inside his compound in Zintan, a mountainous town in western Libya, where he had been held since his capture in 2011. The attack occurred when four masked men entered the compound after disabling security cameras. Approximately 90 minutes prior, Gaddafi’s guards had inexplicably withdrawn from the area. Following the shooting, the assailants did not flee, and no immediate gunfight erupted. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and witnesses noted a lack of response from authorities.

Saif, the son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, had been a controversial figure since his father’s regime was overthrown during the 2011 revolution. Since then, Libya has remained divided between rival factions—the United Nations-backed government in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, and military commander Khalifa Haftar, who controls vast territories in the east with support from the United Arab Emirates, Russia, and Egypt.

The circumstances surrounding Saif’s assassination suggest a carefully executed operation rather than spontaneous violence. Observers noted that the attack appeared to rely on detailed knowledge of Saif’s routines and the security measures in place. Members of his inner circle have suggested that the killing may have been orchestrated from within.

Since the fall of Gaddafi’s regime, Libya has experienced a fragmented political landscape. Haftar has amalgamated the remains of the old political order into his own power base, using established tribal networks and militia structures. Individuals previously loyal to the Gaddafi regime have been selectively integrated into this new system, albeit under strict conditions. Saif Gaddafi, however, remained marginal and was seen as a lingering symbol of his father’s legacy.

His assassination raises questions regarding the stability of Haftar’s coalition, which has been characterized by uneven distribution of power among tribal factions. If Haftar were to be removed from power, it is possible that political grievances could lead to wider instability, as rival factions might seek to renegotiate alliances.

In the wake of Saif’s death, his tribe faced restrictions on mourning and burial rites, with his interment occurring in Bani Walid, a town associated with Gaddafi loyalists. The circumstances of his death, combined with the response from authorities, highlight the ongoing climate of impunity in Libya, where accountability remains elusive after such violent acts.

As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the assassination, raising further questions about the power dynamics within the various factions vying for control in the ongoing Libyan conflict.

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