FBI arrests key player allegedly behind 2012 Benghazi attack that killed four Americans
The Trump FBI has arrested Zubayar al-Bakoush after more than 10 years of pursuit, said FBI Director Kash Patel
by Summer Lane | February 6, 2026
After years of allegedly evading U.S. authorities, a suspect, Zubayar al-Bakoush linked to the terrorist attack of a U.S. facility in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012 has been transferred into American custody, the Department of Justice and FBI announced Friday.
“The FBI has arrested one of the key participants behind the Benghazi attack,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi, announcing the foreign transfer of custody Friday morning.
AG Bondi noted, “Hillary Clinton famously once said about Benghazi: ‘What difference, at this point, does it make?’ Well, it makes a difference to Donald Trump. It makes a difference to those families. And 14 years later, it makes a difference to law enforcement who made the difference in this case. Thank you, President Trump, for supporting all of our agencies around the country and around the world.”
Americans may recall the shocking attack on a U.S. compound in Benghazi that shook the nation all those years ago, resulting in the deaths of four American men: U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens, along with Tyrone Woods, Glen Doherty, and Sean Smith.
“We will have more to say at a later time – but this is a massive moment for the country and a clear message from President Trump’s administration that those who attack our service members will ultimately find American justice, no matter how long it takes,” Director Patel said in a statement on social media.
The unsealed indictment revealed that Bakoush was allegedly a member of Ansar Al Shari, an Islamist militia group in Benghazi, intending to spread Sharia law in Libya. According to the document, roughly 20 armed men breached the main gate of the Benghazi compound on the evening of September 11, 2012. They set fire to several buildings, resulting in the deaths of Ambassador Stevens and Sean Smith.
The indictment alleged that Bakoush entered the compound along with the other conspirators and participated in the attack. He is also accused of providing material support and resources to terrorists, resulting in death.
During the press briefing on Friday, Director Patel said, “The world knows that if you kill an American citizen in an act of terrorism, we will hunt you down. We will bring you to justice, and you will face justice here in America, not in another court and not in any other proceeding around the world, but here. You killed our own, so we are going to take it to the streets to make sure you are held accountable.”
Photo: Adobe Stock
