Libyan Army Chief Killed in Plane Crash; Libya Mourns Loss. City, Country — Tripoli, Libya — December 24, 2025 Libya is in mourning following the tragic death of its top military commander, Lieutenant General Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, who was killed in a plane crash in Turkiye.
The aircraft, en route back to Tripoli from Ankara, requested an emergency landing due to an electrical failure minutes after takeoff, but lost contact before it could land.
Alongside General al — Haddad, four senior Libyan military officials and three crew members also lost their lives in the crash. General al-Haddad, who had served as the chief of the General Staff since 2020, was a key figure in the United Nations-recognised Government of National Unity (GNU) efforts to unite Libya’s fractured military and bring stability to the country.
His death has been described as a significant loss for the nation and the military establishment.
According to local reports, General al — Haddad was seen as a unifying figure amidst Libya’s deep political divisions. Reports’s Malik Traina, reporting from Tripoli, noted that al-Haddad was instrumental in building military institutions, particularly in western Libya, which is divided by powerful armed groups and militias. His refusal to allow these militias to influence the government was a testament to his commitment to national unity.
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah announced a three — day period of national mourning, stating, “This great tragedy is a great loss for the nation, the military establishment, and all the people. We have lost men who served their country with sincerity and dedication.”General al-Haddad’s death has also been mourned by the rival administration in eastern Libya, led by military commander Khalifa Haftar, who expressed his condolences.
During his visit to Turkiye, General al — Haddad had discussions with Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler and his Turkish military counterpart, Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, reflecting the complex geopolitical landscape of Libya.
The Dassault Falcon 50 jet, which crashed, was 37 years old, according to flight tracking site Flightradar24. Turkish officials confirmed that the plane’s emergency was declared over Ankara’s Haymana district, and the wreckage was later found near Kesikkavak village.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
Libya’s Presidential Council has appointed General Salah Eddine al-Namrush as the acting chief of staff for the Libyan army until a replacement for General al-Haddad is announced.
The sudden loss of a leader who was seen as a unifying force in the country’s efforts to stabilise following the 2011 revolution is a major setback for Libya’s political and military future.
