Haftar Intelligence Chief Killed in Car Bombing in Eastern Libya

In a brazen security breach that reverberated across Libya’s fractured landscape, the head of military intelligence for Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) was killed in a car bombing on Monday night. The assassination of Fawzi al-Mansouri, a Haftar loyalist and key figure in the LNA’s counterterrorism campaigns, occurred as he left a mosque in Benghazi, the stronghold of eastern Libya. The attack, confirmed by the LNA in a statement Tuesday, May 20, 2025, marks one of the most significant blows to Haftar’s inner circle in years.

Al-Mansouri’s death highlights the persistent fragility of the LNA’s security apparatus, even in its heartland. The explosive device, attached to his vehicle, detonated moments after evening prayers, killing him instantly. The LNA characterized the act as a “despicable terrorist tactic” and opened an investigation. Khaled Haftar, the military commander’s son and a senior LNA official, told AFP that “indicators point to a terrorist project targeting the entire region, not just Libya.” No group has claimed responsibility, and authorities have not identified any suspects.

The assassination has immediate and far-reaching implications for the US-backed effort to reunify Libya’s rival governments. The United Nations-recognized administration in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and the Benghazi-based government backed by Khalifa Haftar have been locked in a power struggle since 2011. A Washington-mediated plan, publicly endorsed by the LNA, aims to unify executive powers and hold elections. However, analysts warn that al-Mansouri’s killing has destabilized the delicate balance.

“An attack of this sophistication in an LNA stronghold is a major blow to the group’s security credentials,” said Hamish Kinnear, a Libya analyst at Verisk Maplecroft. “The intelligence required to target such a high-profile figure successfully indicates significant capabilities on the part of the responsible actor.” Kinnear added that the assassination “does not bode well for a US plan to re-unify Libya,” predicting that under the current roadmap, “neither side is likely to be satisfied with their respective positions for long.”

Libya expert Jalel Harchaoui of the Royal United Services Institute echoed this view, arguing that the killing would “disrupt, or at the very least delay” the US-brokered deal. “The agreement rests on two premises: that security reigns supreme in Benghazi, and that for senior officers, loyalty to Saddam Haftar guarantees protection in the Benghazi stronghold,” Harchaoui explained. “A bomb that kills the head of military intelligence as he leaves a mosque undermines both premises.” He added that reunification would require “gestures of openness toward reform and change within the army,” which the Haftar camp has resisted.

The LNA, in a statement, vowed to “not cease fighting terrorism and will continue our struggle for the stability and security of Libya, as well as for the unification of its institutions.” The Tripoli-based government also denounced the “terrorist attack,” saying it condemned the killing “regardless of one party’s positions or alliances.” The rare show of unity underscores the precariousness of the situation.

On Tuesday afternoon, authorities in Benghazi held al-Mansouri’s funeral, with photos showing armed men in military fatigues and senior LNA officials, including Khaled and Saddam Haftar, in attendance. The LNA described him as a “heroic martyr.” Al-Mansouri was a prominent military leader who played a key role in the LNA’s fight against jihadist groups, including the Islamic State, between 2014 and 2017 in eastern Libya. He was also a leading figure during Haftar’s Russia-backed offensive to seize Tripoli in 2019, which was repelled by forces in the capital with Turkish support.

In a separate development, Khaled Haftar’s office later announced the arrest of a “terrorist cell in Benghazi that was preparing to carry out acts of sabotage.” Authorities have not confirmed any link between the cell and al-Mansouri’s assassination, but the timing has fueled speculation. The attack underscores the complex web of armed groups, foreign interests, and tribal loyalties that continue to shape Libya’s conflict.

The US State Department has not yet issued an official statement, but diplomatic sources indicate concern that the assassination could derail the reunification talks. The killing also raises questions about the security of Haftar’s family, which has long projected stability in the east. As one Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, put it: “If the Haftars can’t protect their own intelligence chief, what does that say about their ability to govern?”

As the investigation unfolds, the LNA faces a critical test of its ability to maintain order and credibility. The attack has not only claimed a high-profile life but has also exposed the deep fractures within Libya’s political and security landscape. With no clear path to reunification, the country risks sliding back into open conflict, a prospect that neither the rival factions nor the international community can afford.