Libyan Military Chief and Seven Others Killed in Turkish Plane Crash

A private jet carrying Libya's military chief, General Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad, along with four other officers and three crew members, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ankara's Esenboğa Airport on December 23, 2025. All eight individuals on board perished.

The Libyan delegation had been in Ankara for high-level defense talks aimed at enhancing military cooperation between Libya and Turkey.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah confirmed the deaths, describing the incident as a "tragic accident" and a "great loss" for Libya.

The other Libyan officials killed were General Al-Fitouri Ghraibil, head of Libya's ground forces; Brigadier General Mahmoud Al-Qatawi, director of the Military Manufacturing Authority; Mohammed Al-Asawi Diab, advisor to the chief of staff; and Mohammed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub, a military photographer.

Turkish authorities reported that the Falcon 50 business jet issued an emergency landing signal near Haymana, approximately 70 kilometers south of Ankara, before losing contact. The wreckage was later found near the village of Kesikkavak in the Haymana district.

Initial investigations suggest a technical malfunction, specifically an electrical fault, as the cause of the crash. Both Turkish and Libyan officials have initiated investigations into the incident.