**Ankara, Turkey** – A devastating air crash in the vicinity of Ankara on Tuesday evening claimed the life of General Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, the chief of the Libyan army, along with five other senior military officials and personnel. The private jet, en route to Tripoli, lost contact with air traffic control approximately 42 minutes after departing from Esenboğa Airport. The incident has sent shockwaves through Libya and raised urgent questions about aviation safety and the circumstances surrounding the ill-fated flight.
The Libyan delegation was in the Turkish capital for a crucial one-day visit aimed at bolstering military and security cooperation between the two nations. Discussions were reportedly focused on deepening collaborative efforts in defence, a pertinent agenda given the ongoing efforts to stabilise Libya and the recent extension of Turkish troops' presence in the country, a decision made on January 2, 2026. The gravity of the loss was underscored by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh of Libya's Government of National Unity, who expressed profound grief, stating, "Libya has lost men who served their country with sincerity and dedication."
Turkish authorities swiftly mobilised to locate the aircraft following the loss of signal. The Turkish Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, confirmed the grim discovery, announcing, "The wreckage of the plane that took off from Ankara's Esenboğa Airport heading for Tripoli was found by our Gendarmerie forces 2 kilometers south of the village of Kesikkavak in the Haymana district." Search and rescue operations involved the deployment of two F-16 fighter jets from Konya to aid in the extensive aerial survey. Ankara's airspace experienced temporary restrictions to facilitate these critical operations.
Initial reports suggest the business jet, identified as a Falcon 50 model operated by Falcon Air, experienced an emergency shortly before its signal was lost at approximately 20:52 local time (17:52 GMT). The exact cause of the crash remains undetermined, and a comprehensive investigation has been launched by Turkish aviation authorities. The Libyan Armed Forces and the Turkish General Staff are cooperating closely with the inquiry, which will undoubtedly scrutinise all potential factors, from mechanical failure to environmental conditions.
The untimely demise of General al-Haddad and his accompanying delegation, which included high-ranking figures such as Al Fituri Garibil, Chief of Staff of Land Forces, and Mahmoud el-Katawi, Director of the Military Production Authority, represents a substantial blow to Libya's military leadership at a pivotal juncture. Their presence in Ankara signified a commitment to fortifying bilateral defence ties, a collaboration that has been steadily gaining momentum. This tragic event casts a sombre shadow over these burgeoning partnerships and necessitates a thorough understanding of its origins to prevent future recurrences. The repercussions of this incident will undoubtedly be closely monitored as Libya navigates this period of profound national mourning and uncertainty.