A high-ranking Libyan military delegation, including the nation's Chief of Staff, was killed on Tuesday evening, when their private jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Ankara’s Esenboga Airport. All eight people on board—five Libyan officials and three crew members—perished in the accident.
The Incident: Technical Failure and Emergency Signal
The aircraft, a Dassault Falcon 50 business jet, departed Ankara at approximately 8:30 PM local time, bound for Tripoli. According to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, air traffic control lost contact with the vessel roughly 40 minutes into the flight.
Prior to disappearing from radar, the crew issued an emergency signal citing a technical malfunction, specifically an electrical fault. While the aircraft attempted to return to the airport for an emergency landing, it crashed near the village of Kesikkavak in the Haymana district, about 70 kilometers south of the capital. Security camera footage from the area showed a sudden explosion lighting up the night sky.
High-Level Casualties
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah confirmed the "tragic and painful" loss via a statement on Facebook, declaring three days of national mourning. The victims include:
- Gen. Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad: Chief of General Staff of the Libyan Army.
- Gen. Al-Fitouri Ghraibil: Head of Libya’s Ground Forces.
- Brig. Gen. Mahmoud Al-Qatawi: Director of the Military Manufacturing Authority.
- Mohammed Al-Asawi Diab: Advisor to the Chief of Staff.
- Mohammed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub: Official military photographer.
- Three Crew Members: (Identities currently withheld).
Strategic Impact and Investigation
The delegation had been in Ankara for high-level defense talks with Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler. General al-Haddad was a pivotal figure in UN-backed efforts to unify Libya’s fractured military institutions and was considered a key ally in maintaining stability in western Libya.
Current Actions:
- Investigation: Turkey’s Justice Ministry has assigned four prosecutors to the case. Initial reports from Turkish authorities have ruled out sabotage, pointing toward technical failure.
- Cooperation: Libya is dispatching a specialized technical team to Ankara to participate in the joint investigation.
- Diplomatic Context: The crash occurred just one day after the Turkish parliament voted to extend the mandate of Turkish troops in Libya for another two years.
The loss of such a significant portion of the Libyan military leadership comes at a delicate time for the North African nation as it continues to navigate complex internal divisions and a fragile peace process.
