Libyan military commander dies following high level defense talks.
Libya is mourning the sudden loss of its highest-ranking military officer following a devastating aviation disaster in Turkey. General Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad, the Chief of the General Staff, was among the eight individuals who perished when their private jet went down shortly after departing from Ankara.
Tragedy in the Skies of Ankara
The incident occurred on Tuesday night, just moments after the delegation’s aircraft took off from Esenboga Airport. According to reports from Turkish officials, the Falcon 50 business jet lost contact with air traffic control approximately 40 minutes into its flight back to Libya. Before the signal vanished, the crew reportedly issued an emergency landing alert near the Haymana district.
Security footage from the ground captured a chilling flash in the night sky, indicating a potential explosion before the impact. While Turkish authorities have located the wreckage, Libyan officials have already pointed toward a technical malfunction as the likely cause of the crash.
High-Level Delegation Lost
The crash claimed the lives of several key figures in the Libyan military. Alongside General Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad, the victims included:
Three crew members also lost their lives in the accident. The group had been in Ankara for critical defense talks aimed at strengthening the military partnership between Libya and Turkey.
"This is a great loss for our nation," stated Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah, who described the event as a tragic accident that has shocked the country.
Legacy and Ongoing Investigation
General al-Haddad was a pivotal figure in North African politics, known for his efforts to unify Libya's fractured military institutions under United Nations-backed initiatives. His death leaves a significant void in the country's defense leadership.
In response to the tragedy, the Turkish Justice Ministry has appointed four prosecutors to lead a comprehensive investigation. Ankara’s airport experienced temporary closures and flight diversions as rescue teams worked through the night at the crash site.
