Military chief Al-Haddad and other senior officials killed in a plane crash in Libya

Several Libyan army officers, including Major General Mohamed Ali Al-Haddad, Chief of Staff of the Libyan Army, and several others, were killed in a plane crash that occurred in Ankara, Turkey.

A Dassault Falcon 50 commercial jet carrying Tripoli-based Libyan officials crashed in Ankara, Turkey, after a flight from Libya. General Al-Haddad and four other Libyan army officers were traveling on the plane. While reports indicated that the plane crashed due to a technical or electrical fault, it later lost contact with the plane while flying over the Haymana region, south of Ankara.

Later, Turkish forces found the wreckage of the plane in the Kesikkavak/Haymana region of Ankara, but no one among the Libyan delegation or the crew of three was found alive. The accident occurred on December 23, 2025 (local time) after the plane crashed from Ankara, approximately 40-75 kilometers south in the Haymana district.

Tripoli-based, internationally recognized Libyan Army Chief of Staff General Mohamed Ali Al-Haddad was among those killed. Libyan officials state that four other senior officials, including the head of the Libyan ground forces, the head of military intelligence, an advisor, and a shadow artist, died with him. In addition, three French diplomatic mission members also died in the accident.

According to Libyan and Turkish officials, the plane crashed due to a technical fault. Reports specifically state that an electrical fault was the cause. Turkish prosecutors and civil aviation officials have launched a formal investigation, but officials say there is currently no evidence of foul play. However, the cause of the accident has not yet been definitively determined.

Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah described the accident as a "tragic event" and declared it a great loss for the Libyan army. He expressed national mourning and offered condolences to the families of the victims. General Al-Haddad was a key figure in Libya's efforts to unify the divided army and reform Libya's defense institutions. His death is expected to create uncertainty for the ongoing defense and unity talks.

The delegation was in Turkey for talks with Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and senior Turkish military leaders.