Libya’s highest-ranking army officer, Mohamed Ali al-Haddad, along with four other senior military officials, died in a tragic plane crash in Turkey on Tuesday night. The incident occurred as the delegation returned from an official visit to the Turkish capital, Ankara, a loss confirmed by Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeiba. This profound tragedy has sent shockwaves through the fragile North African nation, which remains deeply divided after years of conflict.

The Falcon 50 private jet, carrying General al-Haddad and his delegation, had departed Ankara following a series of high-level meetings with Turkish counterparts, including the Turkish defence minister. The purpose of their visit centred on strengthening military cooperation and discussing strategic security matters crucial to Libya’s ongoing stability. Three crew members were also on board the ill-fated aircraft, bringing the total number of fatalities to eight.

Turkish aviation authorities reported that the aircraft lost radio contact shortly after takeoff from Ankara. Preliminary reports indicated the jet experienced an electrical failure approximately 15 minutes into its flight, prompting the crew to request an emergency landing. The plane was redirected towards Ankara’s airport but vanished from radar during its descent, with all attempts to re-establish contact proving unsuccessful.

Search teams quickly mobilised, locating the wreckage in the rural Haymana district, approximately 65 kilometres (40 miles) southwest of central Ankara. Footage broadcast by Turkish television showed debris scattered over a wide area, testament to the intensity of the impact. Turkish prosecutors have since launched a comprehensive investigation into the crash, with Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirming the probe on social media, aiming to determine the precise cause of the catastrophic failure.

General Mohamed Ali al-Haddad held the pivotal position of Chief of General Staff of the Libyan military under the internationally recognised Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli. Appointed in 2020, he was at the forefront of efforts to reorganise and unify Libya’s disparate armed forces under a single, official state authority. His leadership was considered instrumental in navigating the complex security landscape of the country.

The lives lost alongside General al-Haddad included other highly respected figures vital to Libya’s military structure. Among them were Major General Al-Fitouri Ghribel, Chief of Staff of the land forces; Brigadier General Mahmoud Al-Qattouwi, Director of the Military Manufacturing Authority; Mohamed Al-Asawi Diab, an adviser to the Chief of the General Staff; and Mohamed Mahjoub, a photographer from the Chief of General Staff’s news media office. Their collective expertise represented a significant institutional memory and strategic capacity for the GNU.

Libya has remained profoundly divided since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, with rival factions controlling different regions and vying for legitimacy. The GNU, based in the capital Tripoli, contends with an eastern-based administration in Tobruk, which operates under its own prime minister and is largely under the influence of Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army. General al-Haddad’s mission to unify the military was a cornerstone of the GNU’s strategy to bridge these deep national schisms.

The Libyan Government of National Unity swiftly declared three days of official mourning across the country, with flags ordered to be flown at half-staff at all state institutions and official ceremonies suspended. Mohamed Menfi, Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, expressed profound sorrow, describing the deaths as a “significant loss” for both the military and the nation. He lauded the officials for dedicating their lives to Libya’s stability and national interests.

In response to the tragedy, the Libyan Prime Minister’s office has directed the defence ministry to dispatch a high-level delegation to Ankara. This team will coordinate closely with Turkish authorities, participate in the ongoing investigation, and facilitate the repatriation of the deceased. The sudden loss of such key military figures poses considerable challenges for the GNU’s ongoing efforts to consolidate power, stabilise the security sector, and advance the stalled process of national reconciliation and military integration. It underscores the precarious nature of Libya’s political transition.

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Keywords: Libya army chief, Mohamed Ali al-Haddad, Turkey plane crash, Libyan military officials, Government of National Unity, Ankara jet accident, Libyan political division, military unification efforts