Libya’s Military Chief, Mohammed al-Haddad, Killed in Plane Crash Near Ankara

Libya’s Chief of Staff, General Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, has died in a plane crash in Turkey shortly after departing Ankara, Libyan authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah said the senior military officer was returning to Libya following high-level defence talks in the Turkish capital aimed at strengthening military cooperation between both countries.

According to Libyan officials, the aircrafta Falcon 50 business jet suffered a technical malfunction shortly after takeoff from Ankara’s Esenboga Airport.

The plane reportedly requested an emergency landing near Haymana after the crew informed air traffic controllers of an electrical fault.

Turkish authorities said contact with the aircraft was lost during its descent, about 40 minutes into the flight. Security camera footage later aired on local television showed a bright flash lighting up the night sky over the Haymana area, believed to be the moment of the crash.

The wreckage was subsequently located near the village of Kesikkavak, approximately 70 kilometres south of Ankara.

Also killed in the crash were four senior Libyan military officials: the head of Libya’s ground forces, General Al-Fitouri Ghraibil; Director of the Military Manufacturing Authority, Brigadier General Mahmoud Al-Qatawi; adviser to the Chief of Staff, Mohammed Al-Asawi Diab; and military photographer

Mohammed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub. Three crew members were also on board. Authorities confirmed there were no survivors.

Turkey’s Justice Ministry said four prosecutors have been assigned to investigate the incident, while Libya is expected to dispatch a team to Ankara to collaborate with Turkish authorities on the probe.

Following the crash, Ankara’s airport was temporarily closed, with several flights diverted to other destinations.