Gadhafi's Sons: The Current Fate of the Libyan Leader's Boys

Photo: Reuters

Saif al-Islam

Once seen as the Western-educated, progressive heir to the Libyan thrown, Saif al-Islam is currently in hiding. Rebels believe that he is in a bunker in Bani Walid, one of the last pro-Gadhafi bastions left. Last Tuesday, Saif al-Islam told the Al-Rai television station that loyalist forces were preparing to take back Tripoli, claiming that he was on the outskirts of the capital gathering a strong invasion force. In August, rebels claimed to have captured Gadhafi's second son, but he later appeared in Tripoli, proving to reporters and Libyans that the rebels were misleading the world about their success. But after claiming that Tripoli was still in the control of the government, Saif al-Islam disappeared when rebels took the city and stormed Gadhafi's Bab al-Azizya compound. Reports Tuesday said that he was either in Sirte or moving to Bani Walid, two cities that are pro-Gadhafi strongholds. Saif al-Islam is currently wanted by the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges after he allegedly ordered troops to fire on unarmed protestors in February.

Photo: Reuters

Saadi

A former soccer star who signed with three Italian Serie A teams, Gadhafi's third oldest told Libyan rebels on Wednesday that he is ready to surrender, according to the National Transitional Council's Abdel Hakim Belhaj, who said that Saadi called him on Tuesday hoping to negotiate the terms. "Today I had a telephone conversation with Gadhafi’s son, Saadi, where he asked to be part of the revolution, and to get guarantees to come back to his people and the capital, Tripoli. He hinted to us his whereabouts, and we will be in contact with him to follow up on this matter,” Belhaj told Al Jazeera. "We told him, 'Don't fear for your life. We will guarantee your rights as a human being, and will deal with you humanely.'" Saadi is thought to be hiding with Saif al-Islam and Mutassim in Bani Walid.

Photo: Reuters

Khamis

Last Tuesday, rebels claimed that they had killed Khamis. But they are known for crying wolf, and the international community is slow to believe the rumor just yet. On two previous occasions the N.T.C. said that Khamis was dead, and both times he appeared on state television shortly thereafter. Khamis received military training in Russia and Libya, and during the current conflict he was the leader of the 32nd Reinforced Brigade of the Armed People. Also known as the Khamis Brigade, the 32nd is the best trained and best equipped special forces unit in the Libyan Army.

Photo: Reuters

Muhammad

Reportedly captured along with his younger brother Saif al-Islam, Muhammad is said to have escaped from rebel hands with the help of loyalists. Is it now thought that Muhammad has fled to Algeria with Mutassim, Hannibal, his mother, his sister Aisha and a number of children.

Photo: Reuters

Hannibal and Mutassim

Both men are allegedly in Alergia. After member of the Gadhafi family escaped, Algeria closed its Libyan border. According to reports, Moammar Gadhafi tried to call Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who refused to pick up the phone, effectively ending the possibility that Gadhafi could find refuge in his Arab neighbor. Mutassim was Libya's Libya's National Security Adviser and served in the army. Hannibal is a businessman and former sailor. Before the revolution, he was the head of the General National Maritime Transport Company of Libya. When rebel's seized Hannibal's house, they discovered an Ethiopian nanny who was left behind when the family fled. Shweyga Mullah, who was found covered in severe burns and gaping wounds, said that she was tortured and beaten while under Hannibal's employment. She told reporters that Hannibal's wife Aline Skaf bound her arms and locked her in a bathroom, then poured boiling water all over her head and body.

Photo: Reuters

Saif Al-Arab

Gadhafi's youngest son was killed during a NATO airstrike in April. Saif al-Arab lived in Germany and was not involved with politics, although Gadhafi gave him a military until when the revolution broke out. He was also somewhat infamous, and he was arrested in Germany for trying to smuggle an assault rifle to Paris in 2008.