An air crash near the Turkish capital, Ankara, has tragically claimed the life of Libya’s Chief of Staff, General Mohammad Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad. Four other senior Libyan military officers also perished in the incident, marking a devastating blow to the North African nation’s armed forces.
The accident occurred late on Tuesday, 23 December, as the delegation was returning from Ankara to Libya’s capital, Tripoli. The group had travelled to Turkey to hold high-level meetings with Turkish military officials, including the Chief of the Turkish Armed Forces.
According to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, the delegation’s aircraft, a Falcon 50 business jet, departed from Esenboğa Airport at 20:10 local time. At 20:52, radio contact with the aircraft was lost. Prior to disappearing from radar, the jet reportedly requested an emergency landing in the Haymana district.
Subsequent search efforts by the Turkish Gendarmerie located the wreckage approximately 74 kilometres from Ankara, in the village of Kesikkavak, Haymana district. No survivors were reported.
In a statement, Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah expressed profound sorrow over the accident. “This is a tremendous tragedy for our nation. We have lost individuals who devoted their lives with loyalty and sincerity to serving the country. They were symbols of discipline and national commitment,” he said, mourning the loss to both the military and the wider Libyan population.
The relationship between Libya’s United Nations-backed Tripoli government and Turkey has been notably close, particularly in military cooperation. General Al-Haddad had travelled to Ankara earlier this week specifically to meet with top Turkish military commanders, underscoring the strategic ties between the two nations.
Key Details of the Crash:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | 23 December, 20:10 departure; 20:52 contact lost |
| Aircraft Model | Falcon 50 Business Jet |
| Departure | Ankara Esenboğa Airport |
| Intended Destination | Tripoli, Libya |
| Crash Site | Kesikkavak Village, Haymana, 74 km from Ankara |
| Casualties | 5 senior Libyan military officers, including General Al-Haddad |
| Purpose of Visit | Meetings with Turkish military leadership |
This incident not only represents a tragic loss for Libya’s military leadership but also highlights the delicate and intertwined security relations between Turkey and Libya, particularly under the UN-supported government in Tripoli.