Ankara, Türkiye: Libya’s Chief of General Staff Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad has died after a private Dassault Falcon 50 jet crashed shortly after take-off near Ankara, killing everyone on board, including senior Libyan military officials and crew members.
Turkish authorities say the crash was most likely caused by a technical malfunction, with no signs of foul play at this stage.
Aircraft Crash Details — What Happened?
According to Turkish aviation officials, the aircraft departed Esenboga Airport in Ankara and lost contact approximately 40 minutes later. The jet reported an electrical failure and requested an emergency landing but disappeared from radar during the descent.
Wreckage was discovered near Kesikkavak village in the Haymana district, where emergency teams confirmed no survivors.
Who Died in the Libya Military Plane Crash?
Alongside General Mohammed al-Haddad, the following top officers were killed:
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General Al-Fitouri Gharibil – Commander of Libya’s Ground Forces
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Brigadier General Mahmoud Al-Qatawi – Head of Military Manufacturing Authority
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Muhammad Al-Asawi Diab – Adviser to the Chief of Staff
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Muhammad Omar Ahmed Mahjoub – Military photographer
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Three aircraft crew members
All eight people on board the private jet died instantly.
Libya Declares National Mourning
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah confirmed the deaths, calling the crash a “tragic national loss”. Libya’s internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) announced:
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Three days of national mourning
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Flags at half-mast
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Suspension of state ceremonies
Al-Haddad was a central figure in UN-backed peace efforts, working to unify Libya’s divided military structure since the 2011 uprising.
Türkiye Opens Investigation — Libya Joins Inquiry
Türkiye’s justice ministry confirmed that prosecutors have launched a formal aviation crash investigation. Libyan authorities will send a technical investigation team to cooperate with Turkish experts.
Officials revealed the aircraft was Malta-registered and leased, and aviation data about its technical history remains limited.
Why the Delegation Was in Türkiye
The Libyan military delegation had been in Ankara for:
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Senior-level defence talks
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Strengthening Libya-Türkiye military cooperation
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Discussions following Türkiye’s parliamentary decision to extend troop deployment in Libya for two years
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Türkiye remains a key defence ally of the Tripoli-based government.
Impact of Mohammed al-Haddad’s Death
Al-Haddad was Libya’s highest-ranking western military commander, a leading partner in UN peace efforts and a key figure in Libya-Türkiye strategic defence ties. His sudden death is expected to create significant political and security uncertainty in Libya.
