February 15, 2011 witnessed a revolution that toppled the Gaddafi regime, leading to the displacement of his followers, the trial and killing of some, and the deaths of his sons, Muatassim Gaddafi and Saif al-Arab Gaddafi. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the eldest son of Muammar Gaddafi and the most prominent among his siblings, was accused of war crimes and suppressing the demonstrators of the February 17 revolution in Libya.
The Gaddafi Family
After the success of the Libyan revolution and the fall of the Gaddafi regime, his family was scattered, exiled abroad, and some were arrested. Mohammed Muammar Gaddafi, the eldest son of Gaddafi and the only one from his first wife, was reportedly killed by Gaddafi's forces, though other reports suggest he fled to Algeria as announced by the Algerian government at the time. Aisha Gaddafi left the country after the revolution began and lived in Oman. Saif al-Arab Gaddafi was killed in an airstrike by NATO in his home in Tripoli. Khamis Gaddafi is believed to have been assassinated by NATO in a similar airstrike, though other reports suggest he is still alive. Hannibal Gaddafi was kidnapped in Lebanon due to the disappearance of Musa al-Sadr in Libya, and he remains detained despite international interventions and demands for his release.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was issued an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court in August 2011 on charges of committing crimes against humanity. He was captured by the National Transitional Council in the same month and was released in 2017. On July 28, 2015, the Tripoli Court of Appeals sentenced him to death by firing squad along with other political figures for inciting civil war, genocide, abuse of power, ordering the killing of demonstrators, damaging public property, and bringing mercenaries to suppress the February 17 revolution.
Political Conflict in Libya
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi is a prominent figure in Libyan politics, alongside other key figures such as Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan Armed Forces, and Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, head of the Government of National Unity. Amid ongoing political turmoil and instability in Libya, everyone is trying to assert their right to lead the country by any means possible.
Libya is experiencing a dangerous political division that threatens its security. There are two governments with competing control: the "Hamad" government, which is somewhat loyal to Khalifa Haftar and controls the eastern region, and the Government of National Unity, led by Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, which controls the western region, including the capital Tripoli. Despite appearing to be the weakest link among these figures, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi holds strong influence, supported by foreign backing from other countries pursuing their own interests, in addition to loyalty from some tribes and armed militias.
After disappearing for over a decade, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi appeared in a video interview with The New York Times on July 30, 2021, titled “Qaddafi’s Son Is Alive. And He Wants to Take Libya Back.” In the interview, he denied rumors of his death in detention, clarifying that he was no longer a prisoner and that the armed groups who had abducted him “had freed themselves from the illusion of the revolution and are now supporting him,” as he put it. In the interview, Gaddafi’s son stated his intention to return to the political scene and reclaim leadership in Libya. This has been his ongoing effort, and he continues to strive toward achieving it.
The Role of Social Media in Saif al-Islam Gaddafi’s Success
There is no doubt that social media has proven its influence on societies in all areas and is considered the most powerful form of media today, especially politically. It was through social media that the Arab Spring revolutions of 2011 sparked, and their political, humanitarian, and social consequences are still visible today in several Arab countries. Politicians and political parties worldwide rely on social media,
which can undoubtedly play a key role in determining national leaders and ousting others from office. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi realized the impact of these platforms and their potential to shape public opinion, distort or enhance anyone’s reputation. He leaned heavily on social media to defend his stance and actions, particularly after the bloody events of 2011, where he played a major role in suppressing the rebels and demonstrators. Saif and his entourage operate hundreds of active pages and accounts on social media, promoting him as the "savior" of Libya amidst its current division.
Key Social Media Accounts
Some of the most active accounts on social media include "Awlad Issa," Ahmad Abdel Aziz Gaddafi, Aisha Gaddafi, and Al-Jamahiriya TV. These accounts strive in various ways to bring Saif al-Islam back into the spotlight, presenting him as a viable option for Libyans in the midst of political chaos. "Awlad Issa" is a Facebook page that follows a path of attacking the Libyan revolution and anyone who currently dominates the political scene in Libya. It calls itself “a page dedicated to revealing facts that may be hidden from the average Libyan citizen.” These “facts” include pictures and videos of Libyan officials and leaders who were once ordinary people during Gaddafi's regime or government employees, as if no one else could lead Libya after Gaddafi and his family. They refer to the revolution as the “NATO Revolution” and describe it as an external coup with American and European support.
Ahmad Abdel Aziz Gaddafi, a Libyan political activist, calls himself “one of the sons of the Qadhadhfa tribe,” the same tribe as Muammar Gaddafi. He shares videos on TikTok and other platforms highlighting the accomplishments of Gaddafi and his sons during their rule and promoting the return of Saif al-Islam to power, while attacking current officials and criticizing their policies. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has official accounts on social media under his name, through which he seeks to rally supporters who view him as the savior of Libya. He occasionally grabs attention by posting pictures of himself from the desert or releasing old photos and videos showing Libyan officials trying to gain favor with him during Muammar Gaddafi's rule.
The Fervent Support and Controversy
Many, including dozens of others, ignore factual evidence and historical realities, instead selecting information that aligns with their views. They call Saif al-Islam “Dr.” despite his conviction for war crimes, and they see the Arab Spring revolutions as corruption and betrayal, supporting dictatorial regimes over the freedom of peoples. Perhaps Libya before 2011 was better than it is now, but one cannot compare a country with a unified president and institutions to one where political fragmentation and militias dominate. Forty years under Gaddafi's rule, and even if the perfect president had been in place, he could not have stayed forever. Libya is a country, not just individuals—its allegiance lies with the state, not with Saif, Haftar, or Dbeibeh.