The Libyan army chief, General Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, has tragically lost his life in an air crash in Turkey, as confirmed by Libya's Prime Minister, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when a Falcon 50 aircraft, carrying General Haddad and four others, took off from Ankara, the Turkish capital.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya revealed that contact with the business jet was lost at 20:52 local time (17:52 GMT), approximately 42 minutes after its departure from Ankara's airport. The aircraft, which was en route to Tripoli, issued an emergency landing request shortly before communication ceased, underscoring the severity of the situation.
Following the loss of contact, the wreckage of the aircraft was discovered in a remote area southwest of Ankara. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. In a subsequent update on X, Yerlikaya indicated that police had located the debris near the village of Kesikkavak in the Haymana district, assuring the public that further details would be released as they become available.
Prime Minister Dbeibeh expressed profound sorrow over the deaths of General Haddad and other senior military officials aboard the ill-fated jet. He described their loss as a significant blow to the nation, noting that Libya has lost dedicated individuals who served their country with unwavering sincerity. The Prime Minister emphasized that their contributions to Libya's military and security landscape were invaluable.
General Haddad and his team were in Turkey for discussions aimed at enhancing military and security cooperation between Libya and Turkey. This meeting was part of a broader effort to solidify the strong ties that have developed between the two nations, especially following Turkey's intervention in 2019. The intervention was crucial in preventing an eastern army from ousting the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, thereby establishing Turkey's influential role in Libya's political and military affairs.
The tragic air crash that claimed the life of General Haddad and his colleagues highlights the ongoing complexities of Libya's political landscape and the vital relationships it maintains with international partners. As investigations into the crash proceed, the Libyan government and its citizens mourn the loss of leaders who dedicated their lives to serving their nation.