Libya’s military leadership suffered a devastating blow as Army Chief General Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad was killed in a business jet crash near Ankara, Turkey, on Tuesday evening. The fatal incident occurred shortly after high-level defense discussions between Libyan and Turkish officials.
The Falcon 50 aircraft, carrying General Haddad and four senior Libyan military officials, departed from Ankara’s airport at approximately 20:10 local time. According to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, radar contact was lost at 20:52 (17:52 GMT) after the Tripoli-bound jet had issued an emergency landing request. Search teams subsequently located the wreckage near the village of Kesikkavak in Haymana district, southwest of the Turkish capital.
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, leading the internationally-recognized Government of National Unity, confirmed the tragic loss of General Haddad and his delegation. In an official statement, Dbeibeh characterized the event as a ‘great national loss,’ praising the deceased as ‘men who served their country with sincerity and dedication.’
The military delegation had been engaged in strategic talks with Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler aimed at enhancing bilateral security cooperation between the two nations. These discussions represented ongoing efforts to strengthen military ties between Turkey and Libya’s UN-backed government.
Turkish authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Interior Minister Yerlikaya assured that ‘the public will be informed of further developments’ as the probe progresses. The incident marks a significant setback for Libya’s military establishment and its international partnerships during a period of ongoing political fragmentation in the North African nation.