WASHINGTON — Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Friday, February 06 2026, that a “key participant” in the 2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, has been taken into federal custody and extradited to the United States to face justice.
The suspect, identified as Zubayr Al-Bakoush, is alleged to be one of the primary leaders behind the coordinated assault that claimed the lives of four Americans. According to Department of Justice officials, Al-Bakoush will face a series of federal charges, including murder, arson, and terrorism-related offenses.
A Decadelong Pursuit of Justice
The arrest marks a significant milestone in a pursuit of accountability that has spanned nearly 14 years. The original attack, which occurred on September 11, 2012, resulted in the deaths of:
- J. Christopher Stevens, U.S. Ambassador to Libya
- Sean Smith, State Department Information Officer
- Glen Doherty, CIA Contractor and former Navy SEAL
- Tyrone Woods, CIA Contractor and former Navy SEAL
The 2012 incident, carried out by members of the Islamic militant group Ansar al-Sharia, became a flashpoint in American politics, leading to numerous congressional investigations into security deficiencies and the Obama administration’s initial response to the crisis.
Details of the Operation
While specific details regarding the location of the apprehension remain classified, Attorney General Bondi confirmed that Al-Bakoush is now on American soil. The FBI and the Department of Justice have worked for years to track the remnants of the militant groups responsible for the siege on the diplomatic compound and the nearby CIA Annex.
The arrest comes at a time of shifting dynamics in Libya. While the eastern city of Benghazi has recently seen a push for international legitimacy—including a $4 billion defense deal with Pakistan and plans for new foreign consulates—the U.S. remains focused on closing the remaining legal chapters of the 2012 tragedy.
What Happens Next
Al-Bakoush is expected to make his initial appearance in a federal courtroom in Washington, D.C., within the coming days. Legal experts suggest the trial will likely revisit the harrowing “13 hours” of the attack, which were famously depicted in books and the 2016 film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.
“The passage of time does not diminish our resolve,” a DOJ spokesperson stated following the announcement. “The United States will never stop searching for those who harm our citizens.”