Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
A private aircraft carrying Libya’s Presidential Council Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Mohamed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, lost contact with air traffic control and subsequently crashed in the Turkish capital, Ankara, according to reports from Turkish media cited by Reuters.
The incident unfolded after the aircraft, which was en route from Ankara to the Libyan capital Tripoli, reportedly requested an emergency landing shortly after takeoff. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that radio contact with the plane was lost after the request, raising immediate concerns about the safety of those on board.
According to Turkish media reports referenced by Reuters and relayed by regional broadcasters, the aircraft was carrying five people, including Al-Haddad, who serves as Chief of Staff of the Libyan Armed Forces under the Presidential Council. Following the crash, flights at Ankara’s airport were temporarily suspended as emergency and security services responded to the scene.
Turkish journalists and media outlets circulated short video clips on social media that were said to be connected to the incident. Some footage appeared to show a brief but intense flash of light, while other images depicted flames at a location believed to be the crash site. However, authorities have not officially verified the authenticity of these videos or confirmed their direct link to the aircraft carrying the Libyan official.
As of the latest reports, no official statement has been issued regarding the condition or fate of the passengers. Libyan officials have also refrained from making definitive announcements. Walid Al-Lafi, Libya’s Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs in the interim government, indicated that it was likely the aircraft had crashed, but emphasized that information remained preliminary.
The incident has drawn significant attention in Libya and Turkey due to Al-Haddad’s senior military role and the broader political and security ties between the two countries. Turkish authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the loss of contact and the crash, while awaiting further details from rescue and recovery teams.
More information is expected as officials from both countries continue to assess the situation and verify the status of those on board.
