Libya crash: Army Chief Dies in Turkey Plane Accident

Published: 24 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The Libyan army has suffered a severe blow following the sudden death of its chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, in a plane crash shortly after departing from Turkey’s capital, Ankara. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah confirmed on Tuesday evening that al-Haddad had perished in the accident, which also claimed the lives of four other individuals who were aboard the aircraft.

“This followed a tragic and painful incident while they were returning from an official trip from the Turkish city of Ankara. This grave loss is a great loss for the nation, for the military institution, and for all the people,” Prime Minister Dbeibah stated, emphasising the profound impact of the tragedy on the Libyan nation. Among those killed were the commander of Libya’s ground forces, the director of its military manufacturing authority, a senior adviser to the chief of staff, and a photographer attached to the chief’s office.

According to Turkish authorities, the jet, identified as a Dassault Falcon 50, took off from Ankara’s Esenboğa Airport at 17:10 GMT, bound for Tripoli. The Turkish interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, reported on X that radio contact was lost at 17:52 GMT, prompting search and rescue operations. Authorities later located the wreckage of the aircraft near Kesikkavak village in Ankara’s Haymana district.

Yerlikaya noted that the jet had made a request for an emergency landing over Haymana, though no further communication could be established. Burhanettin Duran, head of Turkey’s presidency communications directorate, later explained that the emergency landing request had been triggered by “an electrical failure,” adding that the private jet carried three crew members alongside the Libyan delegation.

The visit had been officially announced by Turkey’s defence ministry, highlighting meetings between al-Haddad and senior Turkish military officials, including Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and Chief of General Staff Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu. The crash, occurring a day after the Turkish parliament extended its soldiers’ deployment mandate in Libya by two years, underscores the strategic military ties between Ankara and Libya’s Tripoli-based internationally recognised government.

Turkey, a NATO member, has long been a key supporter of Tripoli’s government, providing military training, personnel, and assistance since 2020. Ankara’s involvement also included a maritime demarcation accord with Libya, which has faced opposition from Egypt and Greece. Additionally, in 2022, the two nations signed a preliminary energy exploration agreement that similarly drew objections from regional powers.

Despite Turkey’s long-standing alignment with Libya’s western faction, recent developments suggest a policy shift under Ankara’s “One Libya” initiative, aimed at strengthening ties with Libya’s eastern faction. Analysts indicate that this strategy seeks to balance Ankara’s influence across the divided nation, particularly amid ongoing disputes over territorial waters and energy rights.

The untimely death of al-Haddad is expected to have far-reaching consequences for Libya’s military and political landscape, raising questions over the future leadership of the army and the stability of military operations. Observers note that his loss comes at a critical moment as Libya continues to navigate fragile governance structures, persistent internal conflicts, and external pressures from regional powers seeking influence.

The Libyan chief of staff’s death has triggered expressions of grief from both domestic and international quarters. Officials emphasised that al-Haddad played a crucial role in maintaining the operational capacity and organisational cohesion of Libya’s armed forces. Analysts suggest that replacing a figure of his stature will present a significant challenge for Tripoli’s government, particularly as tensions persist with rival factions and ongoing negotiations for national reconciliation continue.

The crash also prompts scrutiny of aviation safety for high-ranking officials travelling internationally. Aviation experts note that electrical failures, while rare, are among the most critical emergencies that can arise mid-flight, requiring immediate responses to prevent catastrophe. In this case, the jet’s emergency landing request illustrates an urgent attempt to avert disaster, tragically unsuccessful.

Beyond Libya’s immediate military context, the incident carries potential diplomatic ramifications. Turkey’s involvement in Libya has always been a sensitive subject regionally, especially concerning Egypt and Greece, who have previously objected to Turkish maritime agreements. Analysts anticipate that discussions over military support, air travel protocols, and bilateral engagements may intensify following this accident.

International news agencies have highlighted the symbolic significance of al-Haddad’s death, noting that military leadership in Libya remains intertwined with broader political developments. His passing underscores the fragility of governance and security arrangements in a nation still emerging from years of conflict. It also reflects the inherent risks faced by officials travelling in complex regional environments, where both political and technical factors can converge with devastating consequences.

The tragic loss of Libya’s army chief has catalysed calls for unity and resilience among Libyan officials and the public. Leaders are expected to work swiftly to appoint a successor while continuing efforts to stabilise the military institution. For a country grappling with decades of conflict and division, the plane crash serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of both leadership and national security structures.

As Libya mourns al-Haddad and his colleagues, the broader international community remains attentive to how Tripoli navigates its next steps. Strategic partnerships, ongoing military collaborations, and regional diplomacy are all likely to influence the trajectory of Libya’s future, particularly in the context of Turkey’s evolving role under the “One Libya” policy.

While investigations into the crash continue, authorities and analysts alike stress the importance of transparent reporting and adherence to international aviation safety standards. The incident has also reignited discussions on the protection of high-ranking officials during international travel, highlighting that even modern aircraft are vulnerable to sudden technical failures.

Ultimately, the death of Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad marks a pivotal moment for Libya, combining elements of national grief, strategic uncertainty, and urgent calls for cohesive leadership. As Tripoli prepares for the next phase of military and political planning, the memory of the fallen chief of staff is likely to influence decisions and priorities in both the short and long term.