What You Need to Know
A tragic plane crash in Ankara has resulted in the deaths of Libyan Army Chief Mohamed Ali Al-Haddad and four others. The Turkish government confirmed that all passengers were lost after the aircraft went missing shortly after takeoff. The incident has raised concerns and prompted investigations into the cause of the crash.
Africa. A Turkish government source reported that Ankara informed the Libyan side that all passengers aboard the aircraft carrying Libyan Chief of Staff General Mohamed Ali Al-Haddad and four others were killed, and their bodies and wreckage have been found.
Turkish media stated that security forces arrived at the crash site and secured the area, confirming the discovery of the wreckage of the Libyan aircraft that crashed shortly after taking off from Ankara.
Earlier, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Tuesday evening that contact with the aircraft was lost after it took off from Ankara heading to Tripoli.
The Turkish minister stated via X platform that the plane took off at 17:10 GMT before losing radio contact at 17:52 GMT, indicating that it was en route from Ankara to Tripoli and had requested an emergency landing in the Ankara area, but communication was lost thereafter.
In addition, Turkish channel NTV reported the loss of radio contact with a private plane believed to be carrying the Libyan Chief of Staff over the Turkish capital Ankara, and flight tracking data showed a diversion of flights away from Ankara’s Esenboğa Airport.
This coincided with reports of a loud explosion near Haymana district southwest of Ankara, and a video was published documenting a large flash believed to be from the Haymana area.
The Mayor of Haymana in Ankara stated that the search for the aircraft is still ongoing in a rugged area that is difficult to access by land.
The Turkish defense industries website reported that the Libyan aircraft issued a distress signal after taking off from Ankara Airport due to an electrical failure, noting that it attempted an emergency landing due to the malfunction before disappearing from radar.
Earlier this week, the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced the visit of the Libyan Chief of Staff to Ankara, indicating that he met with his Turkish counterpart and several military leaders.
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh mourned the death of the Chief of Staff of the Libyan Army, Mohamed Al-Haddad, and his companions, stating in a statement that the incident resulted in the deaths of the Chief of Ground Forces, Major General Al-Fitouri Gharibiel, Director of the Military Manufacturing Authority, Brigadier General Mahmoud Al-Qatwi, in addition to the Chief of Staff’s advisor, Mohamed Al-Asawi, and the media officer, Mohamed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub. The Libyan High Council of State also issued a statement mourning the Chief of Staff and his companions.
Who is the Libyan Chief of Staff?
Mohamed Al-Haddad has served as the Chief of Staff of the Libyan Army since 2020 and was considered one of the prominent military leaders in the post-February 17 revolution phase.
Al-Haddad hails from Misrata (200 kilometers east of the capital Tripoli) and played a pivotal role in efforts to unify the Libyan military institution. He participated in meetings of the Joint Military Commission (5+5).
Al-Haddad’s name emerged during the defense against the 2019 attack on Tripoli, in addition to his involvement in containing several military conflicts that occurred in the capital and areas in western Libya, making him an influential figure in both the military and political scenes within the Government of National Unity.
Since taking office, the late Chief of Staff pledged to work towards building a unified, regular Libyan army capable of protecting national sovereignty and ending the division within the military institution.
Before his appointment as Chief of Staff, he served as the commander of the Central Defense Area and was a member of the Joint Military Chamber in the western region.
Al-Haddad forged extensive military relationships, particularly with Turkey, having made several official visits, including one in August 2021, which involved visiting a Turkish frigate off the Libyan coast as part of Turkish naval and military protocol missions.
He also met with then-Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar in Tripoli to coordinate military efforts between the two sides, and in March 2023, he signed a military agreement with Italy in Rome aimed at training Libyan special forces and enhancing their capabilities.
The late military leader participated in a series of meetings with the Chief of Staff of the “General Command” forces, General Abdul Razek Al-Nazouri, with the most notable being meetings in Cairo and Rome, during which they reaffirmed the unity of Libyan territories and discussed forming a joint force to protect the borders, with American and European support.
Mohamed Ali Al-Haddad served as the Chief of Staff of the Libyan Army since 2020, playing a significant role in post-revolution military unification efforts. His leadership was marked by attempts to stabilize the military landscape in Libya, particularly during the 2019 Tripoli offensive and subsequent conflicts. Al-Haddad’s military relationships, especially with Turkey, were pivotal in strengthening Libya’s defense capabilities.
The Libyan military has faced numerous challenges since the 2011 revolution, with various factions vying for control. Al-Haddad’s commitment to creating a unified, professional military was crucial in addressing the divisions within the armed forces.
