A wave of sorrow has swept across Libya following the tragic confirmation of a plane crash in Turkey that claimed the lives of Libyan military chief Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad and four others. The incident, which occurred Tuesday evening, has been described as a “great loss” by Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah, who announced the devastating news on Facebook.
The delegation was returning from an official visit to Ankara when their private Falcon 50 business jet experienced a severe technical malfunction. Shortly after taking off from Esenboga airport, air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft approximately 30 to 40 minutes into the flight. Before all communication ceased, the plane reportedly issued an emergency landing signal near Haymana, a district south of Ankara. Eyewitness accounts and security camera footage showed a sudden, bright light, resembling an explosion, briefly illuminating the night sky. Wreckage of the aircraft was later discovered near the Turkish capital.
General al-Haddad was a highly significant figure in western Libya and played a crucial role in ongoing, UN-brokered efforts to unify Libya’s fractured military. His untimely death is a profound setback for these delicate peace and stability initiatives aimed at bringing cohesion to the country’s divided institutions. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya had earlier confirmed the loss of contact and subsequent discovery of the wreckage, underscoring the severity of the incident.
This heartbreaking accident marks a moment of deep grief for Libya and casts a shadow over its journey towards national unity. The nation mourns the loss of a key leader dedicated to its future.
Source: https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/international/2025/12/24/fgn6-turkey-plane-ld-libiya.html
