In a devastating incident, Libya's army chief, Gen Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, was killed in a plane crash in Turkey, along with four other senior Libyan military officials. The tragedy occurred on Tuesday evening when their Falcon 50 aircraft lost contact with air traffic control shortly after departing Ankara's Esenboğa airport.

Details of the Crash

The aircraft, bound for Tripoli, issued an emergency landing request due to an electrical failure, according to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. Contact was lost 42 minutes after takeoff, and the wreckage was later discovered near the village of Kesikkavak in the Haymana district. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.

Libya-Turkey Military Cooperation

Gen Haddad and his team were returning from official talks in Turkey aimed at strengthening military and security cooperation between the two nations. Libya's Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh expressed profound sorrow over the loss, describing it as a "great loss" for the nation and its military institution. Turkey has played a significant role in supporting Libya's internationally recognized government, particularly since 2019, when it intervened to prevent eastern forces from seizing Tripoli.

Political and Military Context

The crash occurred shortly after Turkey's parliament extended the mandate for Turkish troops in Libya by two years, reflecting ongoing military support. Turkey has been a key ally of Libya's Tripoli-based government, providing military training and support. The two countries have also engaged in energy exploration agreements, although these have faced opposition from neighboring Egypt and Greece.