Libyan army chief killed in plane crash in Turkey

Ankara, Turkey – A tragic aviation accident near Turkey’s capital, Ankara, has claimed the life of Libya’s Chief of Staff, General Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad. Four other senior Libyan military officers were also killed in the crash, marking a devastating blow to Libya’s armed forces.

The incident occurred on Tuesday night, 23 December, as the delegation was returning from Ankara to Libya’s capital, Tripoli. According to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, the aircraft involved was a Falcon 50 business jet, which took off from Esenboğa Airport at 20:10 local time.

Less than 45 minutes into the flight, at approximately 20:52, radio contact with the plane was lost. Before losing communication, the jet had requested an emergency landing near the Haymana district. Subsequently, Turkish Gendarmerie forces located the wreckage in the village of Kesikkavak, approximately 74 kilometres from Ankara.

Prime Minister of Libya, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, expressed profound grief over the loss, describing it as “a monumental tragedy for the nation.” In an official statement, he said:

“This incident represents an irreparable loss for our armed forces and our people. We have lost individuals who served the country with unwavering dedication and integrity, symbolising discipline and national commitment.”

General Al-Haddad had been on an official visit to Ankara earlier in the week to meet with top Turkish military officials, including the Chief of the General Staff and other senior commanders. This visit highlighted the close military and strategic ties between Turkey and the United Nations-recognised Government of National Unity in Tripoli.

The crash has raised immediate concerns over air safety protocols for diplomatic and military flights in the region. Investigators from both Turkey and Libya are expected to collaborate in determining the cause of the accident.

Flight and Accident Details:

The incident underscores the risks faced by high-ranking officials during international diplomatic missions and has triggered an outpouring of condolences from both Libya and allied nations.