By Rahim Abdul
Libya’s Chief of the General Staff, General Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad, has died in a tragic plane crash in Turkey, authorities have confirmed.
The aircraft, which was carrying senior Libyan military officials, went down shortly after taking off from Ankara as it was heading back to Libya.
According to Libyan and Turkish officials, the private jet lost contact with air traffic control minutes after departure and later crashed in a rural area south of Ankara.
Rescue teams were dispatched immediately, but all passengers and crew on board were confirmed dead.
Initial reports indicate that a technical fault is the likely cause of the accident. Turkish aviation authorities say the aircraft experienced problems shortly after takeoff and may have attempted to make an emergency landing before disappearing from radar.
General al-Haddad was not alone on the flight. The victims also included other high-ranking Libyan military officers, advisers and crew members, bringing the total number of fatalities to about eight people.
Their bodies were recovered from the crash site following a large-scale search operation.
The Libyan delegation had been in Turkey for high-level security and defence talks aimed at strengthening military cooperation between Libya and Turkey.
The visit was part of ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral relations, particularly in areas of training, security coordination and defence support.
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah confirmed the deaths in a statement shared on social media, describing the incident as a national tragedy. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of General al-Haddad, calling him a dedicated servant of the nation.
Following the announcement, the Libyan Government of National Unity declared days of national mourning, with flags ordered to fly at half-mast across government institutions. Messages of condolence have poured in from political leaders, military officials and international partners.
Turkish authorities have launched a full investigation into the crash, with aviation experts and prosecutors assigned to determine the exact cause. Officials have stated that there is no indication of sabotage at this stage, though all possibilities will be examined.
General al-Haddad was considered a central figure in Libya’s military establishment, playing a key role in efforts to reunify the country’s divided armed forces amid years of political instability.
His sudden death is expected to have significant implications for Libya’s security landscape, as the country continues to navigate a fragile political transition and complex regional alliances.
