Thousands Attend Funeral of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi in Libya

Thousands gathered in Bani Walid, northwestern Libya, for the funeral of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi following his killing earlier in the week. Mourners carried his coffin and images of him and his father, former leader Muammar Gaddafi, before a smaller group later conducted funeral prayers and burial privately. Saif al-Islam, 53, was shot dead in his home in Zintan by four masked assailants, according to authorities and his political team, while his brother Mohamed, speaking from exile, expressed grief and praised loyal supporters for honoring him.

Thousands of people gathered on Friday in northwestern Libya for the funeral of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son and once heir apparent of Libya’s late leader, Muammar Gaddafi. The turnout was significant, highlighting the enduring support Saif al-Islam continued to command among loyalists despite years of political turmoil in the country. The funeral came just days after his killing, which shocked supporters and reignited tensions in parts of Libya.
The burial ceremony took place in the town of Bani Walid, located about 146 kilometers (91 miles) southeast of the capital, Tripoli. As mourners flooded the area, Saif al-Islam’s coffin was carried through the streets in a solemn procession. Many participants held large photographs of Saif al-Islam, who was widely known simply by his first name, alongside images of his father, Muammar Gaddafi. The atmosphere was heavy with grief as chants and expressions of loyalty echoed among the crowd.
Muammar Gaddafi ruled Libya for more than 40 years before being overthrown during the 2011 uprising. Later that year, he was killed in his hometown of Sirte as clashes intensified and the country descended into a prolonged civil war. More than a decade later, Libya remains divided, and the Gaddafi family name continues to provoke strong reactions, particularly in regions known for their loyalty to the former regime.
As the funeral procession unfolded and the crowd grew larger, a smaller group of close supporters reportedly separated from the main gathering and took Saif al-Islam’s coffin away. They later conducted the funeral prayers and proceeded with his burial in a more private setting, away from the larger crowd.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, aged 53, was killed on Tuesday inside his home in the town of Zintan, about 136 kilometers (85 miles) southwest of Tripoli, according to Libya’s chief prosecutor’s office. Authorities stated that preliminary findings showed he was shot to death, but they did not disclose further details regarding the circumstances of the attack or whether any arrests had been made.
In a statement released later, Saif al-Islam’s political team said that four masked men stormed his residence, disabled security cameras, and carried out what they described as a “cowardly and treacherous assassination.” The statement condemned the killing and called for justice.
His brother, Mohamed Gaddafi, who lives in exile outside Libya and whose current whereabouts are unknown, also expressed his grief publicly. In a Facebook post on Friday, he wrote that the pain of the loss weighed heavily on his heart and was made worse by his inability to return home to bid his brother farewell. He added that while words could not ease the pain, he found some comfort in knowing that loyal supporters were carrying out their duty by giving Saif al-Islam a farewell he believed was befitting his standing.