He was active in the battle of Sirte, being the commander who announced the capture of Sirte's port on 26 September and speaking to news crews discussing the latest advances. He also announced the reports that Moussa Ibrahim had been captured in September, although this would later prove untrue. Ibrahim was again reported captured when Sirte fell, however, this was again proven to be untrue. On 22 October 2011, he was again reportedly captured for a third time, along with Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, near Bani Walid.