Libya’s Military Chief Killed in Turkish Plane Crash
General Muhammad Ali Ahmad al Haddad, the chief of staff of the Libyan army, has died in a plane crash in Turkey, alongside four others. The small private jet went down near Ankara, with wreckage reported recovered by Turkish authorities.
Details of the Incident
According to the Turkish government’s statement, the Falcon 50-type jet took off from Esenboga airport in Ankara at approximately 8:30 PM local time. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft sent out an emergency landing signal near Haymana, a town south of the capital, before all communication ceased.
Among the other victims were General Al-Fitouri Ghraibil, the head of Libya’s ground forces; General Mahmoud al Qatawi, director of the Military Industrialization Organisation; and Mohammed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub, a military photographer. An adviser to General Haddad, Mohammed al Asawi Diab, was also among those killed in the tragic incident.
Reactions from Libyan Leadership
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibeh expressed profound sorrow at the loss, describing General Haddad’s death as a “great loss to the homeland”. In a message posted on social media platform X, Dbeibeh extended condolences to the families of the deceased and praised the dedication and commitment of the fallen military personnel.
Dbeibeh stated, “This grave affliction is a great loss to the homeland, to the military institution, and to all the sons of the people,” acknowledging the exemplary service of those who died.
The Role of General Haddad
General Haddad was a pivotal figure in ongoing United Nations-backed initiatives aimed at unifying Libya’s fragmented military landscape. Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been divided between rival administrations, with the western government led by Dbeibeh and a military regime in the east under former Gaddafi commander Khalifa Haftar.
Background
Libya has experienced significant instability since the overthrow of Gaddafi, resulting in a power struggle that has led to two main rival governments. The ongoing conflict has attracted international attention and involvement, complicating attempts to establish lasting peace and unity in the region. The death of General Haddad is likely to impact the future of military consolidation efforts within the country.
Source: Original Article
