after the blast. >> if i didn't saw his body in the car, i could not believe it. >> reporter: he says his suicide attack sent gadhafi troops running, clearing the way for rebel fighters to overtake the barracks. >> he's a hero. he's a real hero. >> reporter: for opposition forces, the taking of the barracks was a monumental victory, made possible they say by al mehdi. for two daughters, the sudden loss of their father is heart wrenching but one they say they're honored to live with. he did something very important. we're definitely very proud of him. >> and our reza sayah joins us now. hello, to you, you're in the important city of benghazi now. we appreciate you bringing us that story, that personal story we don't often get to see. so let's now, we do need to get back to the fighting and what we're seeing now.