Libya: Is Khamis Gaddafi Really Dead?  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.
Rumours have been circulating online and in mainstream media for about two weeks that Khamis Al Gaddafi, son of Muammar Gaddafi, has been killed. Tonight, the rumours are making the rounds again, with a new twist. They say the 27-year-old militia leader, who runs a brigade which carries his name, was killed during an air raid on Bab Al Aziziya Compound, where the Gaddafis reside in Tripoli. Unconfirmed reports add that his brother Muattasim was killed by Gaddafi for ‘refusing to follow’ orders.
Al Arabiya (Ar) confirms news of Khamis’ death, quoting unnamed sources while the Libyan authorities deny it.
Protests calling for the toppling of the Gaddafi regime started in Libya on February 16, one day ahead of the February 17 date scheduled for the revolution to kick off on social networking sites.
Here are the latest comments from Twitter on Khamis’ alleged death:
@jenanmoussa: Khamis Al #Gaddafi, son of #Gaddafi, confirmed dead according to Media reports. #Libya
@najibs: Gaddafi’ son,Khamis, has been killed during an air raid on Bab Al Aziziya compound in Tripoli. He was leading a militia that bore his name.
@RRowleyTucson: Now 2 sources in #Libya confirms death of #Khamis in #BabAzizia attack. Unconfirmed that #Muattasim killed by father for refusing orders.
@RRowleyTucson: Reliable source in #Libya confirms death of #Khamis in #BabAzizia attack. Unconfirmed that #Muattasim killed by father for refusing orders.
@youssefsan: Many rumours: Saif (said 48 hr victry on Bngzi), #Khamis dead? #Saadi (injured)? #Muttasim killed for not obeying? Have u more news? #libya
@bnnNEWSLIVE: Al Arabiya source added that Khamis Gaddafi was killed in a raid in Bab al-Aziziyah,Tripoli. But we repeat that we are unable to confirm it
@bnnNEWSLIVE: Al-Arabiya quoted on Friday an unnamed source as saying reports that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s son, Khamis, was killed are true.
@samyrra25: It's going down…. Death of #Ghaddafi’s son Khamis confirmed | Ya Libnan | World News Live from Lebanon: http://bit.ly/fa166D
@freedom4libya: The news of the death of Khamis #Gadhafi is spreading in Tripoli. #Libya
@Weaver2World: @gfry @acarvin Hasn't Khamis been dead, and therefore out of fashion, for a good three or four days?
@iyad_elbaghdadi: @carolv27 Can you link this again? Re confirmation of Khamis Gaddafi's death?
@youssefsan: Is it just me or #Khamis is barely quoted today in English media? #Libya
@H9a: #AlArabiya confirmed the death of #Gadaffi's son Khamis
@rockin4god: @nolesfan2011 Over the past week Khamis has been reported to of died in many different ways, so…is this rumour or confirmed and by who?
@nolesfan2011: it appears #khamis #gaddafi one of #gaddafis sons and the leader of the #khamis brigade was killed in an #airstrike #nato #nfz #bombing
@alihabibi1: Al-ArabiyaTV confirms #Qaddafi's son (Khamis) was killed in NATO's raid on Bab AlAzizya (#Tripoli) http://on.fb.me/i6BgFm
@libyaWatan: So #Khamis is dead? is he or is he not? #Libya #Feb17
@LOVE2LIBYA: hamdilla khamis is dead, confirmed on al arabiya….khamis is dead khamis is dead…never was so happy to report someone's death…
@nusibab: As much as I want to believe Khamis is dead, I still have my doubts. Alarabiya isn't exactly the most reliable source… #Libya #Feb17
@Perfectsliders: Daily Mail is actually still only reporting Khamis death as “claimed”. Which means they, like Clinton, have been unable to confirm.
@N_Benghazi: A reason to smile today: Khamis Gaddafi is dead. One less #Gaddafi in the world means cleaner air for all. Ahhh. #feb17 #libya
@sooopergoof: Boy o boy the stories about #Khamis just won't…die.
@Qahtani: It seems that #Saif Zaif #Gaddafi is mourning his beloved brother #Khamis. I have not seen much of him on TV lately. #Feb17
@BentBenghazi: Alarabiya confirming #Khamis death? I almost don't wanna believe it, too good to be true! #libya
@acarvin: @carolv27 I don't doubt Al Arabiya reported it. It's just that rumors of Khamis dying have been going on for 2+ weeks now.
This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.