A new lawsuit has been filed in a US federal court against Khalifa Haftar and his son, Saddam Haftar, alleging responsibility for war crimes committed during the 2019 assault on Tripoli.
The case, submitted by the Libyan American Alliance on behalf of a Libyan family who lost several members in the conflict, accuses the Haftars and associated Wagner Group militias of involvement in the killings.
According to the Alliance, Saddam Haftar was personally served legal notice while in Washington, D.C., obligating him to appear in court at a later date.
The lawsuit relates to an attack in which the family’s sons were reportedly killed by Wagner mercenaries operating under the command of Haftar-led forces. One family member, identified as Mohammed, survived the incident and has been working for years with lawyers and human rights groups to bring the case to court.
The Alliance claims the case could pave the way for future criminal proceedings against the Haftars, who hold American citizenship, due to alleged collaboration with the Wagner Group—designated as a criminal organization under recent US legislation.
The lawsuit builds on previous efforts to hold Haftar accountable in US courts. Three other cases filed in Virginia had previously stalled after a federal judge declined to proceed, reportedly without clear explanation. However, an appeal hearing is scheduled for 7 May, aiming to reopen those cases.
"This marks a significant victory for victims and for our efforts to revive these critical cases," the Libyan American Alliance said in a statement.
