On 7 October, Zintani militia leader al-Ajami al-Atiri was arrested by local Internal Security Agency (ISA) agents at the Wazin – Dehiba border crossing, while returning from medical treatment in Tunisia. Reportedly, he has been undergoing chemotherapy sessions for the treatment of cancer.
On 8 October, ISA Director Lufti al-Hariri reportedly received death threats from people from Zintan demanding the immediate release of al-Ajami al-Atiri. Abdussalam Zoubi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Defence, demanded that the Libyan Air Force transport al-Atiri to Tripoli by helicopter from where he was being held near the border. He threatened to deal with any ‘rebel force’ that might obstruct the handover. Nalut notables prevented al-Atiri from being handed over to a helicopter crew for transport to Tripoli.
On 8 October in the afternoon, al-Atiri was released from Wazin (or possibly Nalut). After arriving in Zintan, in a speech he thanked all the people who mobilized for him after his arrest. Al-Atiri said that Libyans are one people, and have a sense of cohesion. He hoped that this situation would be the beginning of reunification. Al-Atiri added that Zintan is ‘one hand’, there is no room for disagreement, and when a Zintani is wronged, everyone is with him. In the evening, it was revealed that Abdul Ghani al-Kikli aka Ghinaywa and his brother Fathi had mediated the release of al-Atiri.
On 9 October, the ISA said that three terrorists were detained and claimed that al-Atiri had been arrested because he had provided logistic support for the preparation of terrorist attacks on Khoms navy base, Mellitah Oil & Gas Company, al-Wattiyah air base, and Brak al-Shati air base. The ISA complained that all the criminals who hide behind their tribes and some agendas that prevent the implementation of the law will now go without punishment.