On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Libya's chief of general staff, Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Haddad, was killed when the Falcon 50 business jet he was aboard crashed shortly after takeoff near Haymana, a district southwest of Ankara in Türkiye.
According to Turkish authorities, the aircraft issued an emergency landing notification before contact was lost. Prosecutors in Ankara have launched an investigation into the engine failure and flight path data, aiming to reconstruct the final moments of the flight.
In Tripoli, Libya's government confirmed the general's death following high-level talks in Ankara with their Turkish counterparts. Al-Haddad had been a central figure in efforts to unify Libya's rival military factions after years of post-revolution instability.
Al-Haddad's passing leaves a leadership gap at a sensitive time for Libya, which is balancing foreign partnerships and internal reforms amid ongoing reconstruction after the 2011 conflict. International analysts warn that continuity in military command will be crucial for the nation's security and for attracting overseas investment.
Regional experts note that Libya and Türkiye have deepening ties, from joint military exercises to economic agreements. The outcome of Ankara's probe and how Libya fills this key role could influence broader Mediterranean security dynamics.
As investigations proceed, attention will turn to who succeeds al-Haddad and how Libya's fragile stability holds up in the wake of this sudden loss.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
