Libya’s army chief, General Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, has died following an aircraft crash in Turkey, Libyan authorities have confirmed.
The general was travelling aboard a Falcon 50 business jet that departed from Ankara on Tuesday evening en route to Tripoli when contact with the aircraft was suddenly lost. Turkish officials said communication ended shortly before 9:00pm local time, less than an hour after take-off.
According to Turkish authorities, the aircraft issued a distress call requesting an emergency landing before disappearing from radar. Search teams later located the wreckage south-west of Ankara, near the village of Kesikkavak in the Haymana district.
Five people, including General Haddad, were on board the aircraft. All are believed to have died in the crash. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the incident.
Libya’s Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, who leads the internationally recognised Government of National Unity, described the deaths as a major national loss, praising the victims for their service and dedication to the country.
“Libya has lost men who served their nation with sincerity and commitment,” the prime minister said in a statement.
General Haddad and the accompanying delegation had been in Turkey for high-level discussions on military and security cooperation, reflecting the close ties between the two countries.
Turkey has played a significant role in Libya’s security landscape since 2019, when it intervened militarily to support the Tripoli-based government against forces advancing from eastern Libya. Since then, Ankara has strengthened its political, military and economic partnership with Libyan authorities.
Turkish officials say further details will be released as the investigation into the crash continues.