By Charles Maduka
Libya’s Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Haddad, and seven other people have died after a business jet crashed shortly after taking off from Ankara, Turkey. Turkish and Libyan officials confirmed that the aircraft went down near the Haymana district, not far from the Turkish capital.
The Falcon 50 jet, which took off from Ankara’s Esenboga Airport, lost contact with air traffic control less than an hour after departure. Turkish authorities said the aircraft had reported an electrical failure and requested an emergency landing, but communication could not be reestablished. The wreckage was later found by security personnel, and all eight people on board were confirmed dead.
Among those killed were Haddad, four senior military officials, and three crew members. The Libyan Prime Minister, Abdulhamid Dbeibah, expressed deep sadness over the death of Haddad, describing him as a key figure in the country’s military leadership. Haddad had earlier held meetings in Ankara with Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler and other Turkish officials before beginning his return journey to Tripoli.
Libyan officials said those on board included Haddad’s adviser, Mohammed Al-Assawi, Major General Al-Fitouri Ghraibil, Major General Mohammed Jumaa, and their escort, Mohammed Al-Mahjoub. A local resident in Haymana described hearing a loud explosion at the time of the crash, saying it sounded like a bomb. Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the incident.
Haddad had served as Libya’s army chief since 2020 and was appointed during the administration of former prime minister Fayez al-Sarraj. Libya remains politically divided between the UN-recognised government in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east led by Khalifa Haftar. Turkey maintains close political and military ties with the Tripoli-based government while also engaging with leaders in eastern Libya.
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