Death of the Chief of Staff of Western Libya’s army in a plane crash returning from Ankara

General Al-Haddad, accompanied by several Libyan military officials, was on his way back from an official mission in Turkey when contact was lost with the private plane carrying them.

In a tragic incident that shook official circles in both Libya and Turkey, authorities announced on Tuesday evening the death of Libya’s Chief of Staff, General Mohamed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, after a private aircraft carrying him and four of his companions crashed while they were returning from an official visit to Ankara, following the loss of communication shortly after takeoff toward Tripoli.

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Abdelhamid Dbeibah, head of the outgoing Government of National Unity, mourned the Chief of Staff and his companions in an official statement, expressing deep sorrow and regret. He described the accident as a major loss for the nation and the military institution, noting that the deceased had served Libya with loyalty and dedication during a highly sensitive period, and represented discipline, responsibility, and national commitment. He added that their passing means the loss of senior officers who played key roles in managing critical files.

According to official information, General Al-Haddad was accompanied by several army officials on their way back from Turkey, without revealing the details or nature of the issues discussed. However, informed sources indicated that the visit fell within the framework of ongoing military and security cooperation between Tripoli and Ankara.

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Turkish authorities announced that the wreckage was found a few hours after contact was lost. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said gendarmerie teams reached the crash site about two kilometers from the village of Kesik Kavak in the Haymana district near Ankara, adding that the plane went down after taking off Tuesday evening from Esenboga Airport, heading to Tripoli.

Yerlikaya earlier reported that contact had been lost with a private plane carrying five people, including the Libyan Chief of Staff, noting that the aircraft had sent a distress message requesting an emergency landing over the Haymana area before communication ceased completely. He added that search and rescue teams immediately launched operations, supported by specialized security and technical units, until the wreckage was located.

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According to Turkish data, the aircraft took off at 17:10 GMT and radio contact stopped at 17:52, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency and begin intensive searches in a rugged area, which made reaching the crash site more difficult.

Mohamed Ali Al-Haddad was considered one of the most prominent military leaders in Libya in recent years. He served as Chief of Staff during efforts to reunify the military institution amid deep political and security divisions between East and West.

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As reactions continue, his death and that of his companions are viewed as highly significant, likely to cast a shadow over Libya’s political and military landscape and to pose additional challenges for the Government of National Unity and the armed forces.

The incident caused widespread shock, with officials and public figures offering condolences, while questions remain about the causes of the crash. Turkish authorities are expected to conduct a comprehensive technical investigation to determine whether it was due to a technical malfunction or other factors.

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