Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives Aqeela Saleh has offered condolences following the death of Libyan Chief of Staff Mohammed Ali Al-Haddad and his companions in a plane crash in Turkey.
In an official statement, Saleh extended his deepest sympathies to the Libyan people and the military institution over the loss of several senior officers, led by Lieutenant General Mohammed Ali Al-Haddad, Chief of the General Staff of the army under the Government of National Unity, as well as Major General Al-Fitouri Ghraybil, a member of the Joint Military Commission (5+5), and their accompanying delegation. The officers were killed when the aircraft carrying them crashed in the Republic of Turkey.
Saleh expressed profound sorrow over what he described as a painful national tragedy, praising the deceased officers for their service and dedication to Libya. He prayed for God’s mercy upon them and for patience and strength for their families, colleagues, and the wider Libyan military community.
According to the Turkish account of the incident, initial details were released by the Turkish Presidency’s Directorate of Communications. Its head, Burhanettin Duran, said the private aircraft transporting Al-Haddad and his delegation suffered a technical malfunction shortly after departing from Esenboğa Airport near Ankara.
The aircraft took off at 20:17 local time with Al-Haddad, four companions, and three crew members on board. Approximately 16 minutes after takeoff, the crew reported an emergency to air traffic control due to an electrical failure and requested permission for an emergency landing.
Air traffic control redirected the aircraft back toward Esenboğa Airport and activated emergency response procedures. However, while attempting the emergency landing, the plane disappeared from radar screens at around 20:36, and all communication was lost.
Turkish Interior Ministry teams immediately launched search and rescue operations and later reached the crash site, where the wreckage was located. Turkish authorities confirmed that all relevant institutions continue to carry out technical and security procedures with the utmost care to determine the exact causes and circumstances of the crash.
Investigations by Turkish authorities remain ongoing, with close official follow-up from both Libya and Turkey, as the incident has cast a shadow of mourning over Libya’s political and military circles.
