Libyan Army Chief among senior officers killed in plane crash near Ankara

KATHMANDU: Libya’s Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, and four other senior military officials were killed in a plane crash near Ankara, Turkey, Libyan and Turkish authorities confirmed.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah confirmed the incident, calling it a “major loss for the nation” and announcing a full investigation into the tragedy.

According to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, a Falcon 50 business jet (tail number 9H-DFJ) departed Ankara’s Esenboğa Airport at 8:10 pm local time on a flight to Tripoli.

Shortly after takeoff, the crew requested an emergency landing near the Haymana area. Contact with the aircraft was lost at 8:52 pm.

Turkish security forces later located the wreckage near Kesikkavak village in Ankara’s Haymana district. Preliminary findings indicate the crash was caused by an electrical failure, with Turkish officials ruling out sabotage.

Lieutenant General Al-Haddad was in Turkey for high-level military talks aimed at strengthening bilateral defense and security cooperation. On Tuesday, he had met Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and Chief of the Turkish General Staff Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu.

Those killed alongside Al-Haddad include:

• Major General Al-Fitouri Ghribel, Chief of the Land Forces
• Brigadier General Mahmoud Al-Qatawi, Director of the Military Production Authority
• Mohammed Al-Assawi Diab, Adviser to the Army Chief
• Mohammed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub, Photographer at the Army Chief’s Media Office

The aircraft was also carrying three crew members, all of whom are believed to have died in the crash.

Prime Minister Dbeibah said Libya would send an official delegation to Turkey and cooperate closely with Turkish authorities in the investigation. The Government of National Unity has declared three days of national mourning.

Appointed Chief of Staff in 2020, Lieutenant General Al-Haddad played a central role in Libya’s post-conflict stabilization efforts. His death marks a significant blow to the country’s military leadership.