WASHINGTON, D.C. February 6, 2026 – In a significant development for U.S. counterterrorism efforts, Zubayr Al-Bakoush, an individual described by officials as an alleged terrorist connected to the 2012 Benghazi attacks, arrived on American soil early Friday morning.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced the extradition in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that Al-Bakoush landed at 3 a.m. and was met by FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
Bondi expressed gratitude to President Trump for his support of federal agencies involved in the operation, both domestically and internationally. She affirmed that the Department of Justice intends to prosecute Al-Bakoush “to the fullest extent of the law.”
The arrival follows years of speculation and public discussion regarding accountability for the September 11, 2012, attack on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya, which resulted in the deaths of four Americans, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens.
Public reaction on social media has been mixed, with some users praising the move as a step toward justice for the Benghazi victims, while others questioned the timing, priorities of the current DOJ leadership, or raised unrelated criticisms regarding past cases.
No further details on the specific charges, the country from which Al-Bakoush was extradited, or the timeline for legal proceedings have been released at this time. The Department of Justice has not issued an official press statement beyond the Attorney General’s social media update.
This case is likely to draw continued attention as proceedings unfold, particularly given the long-standing political and public interest in the Benghazi events.
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