The chief of staff of Libya's army, Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, died in a plane crash on his return from an official trip to Turkey. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from Ankara, resulting in the loss of five lives, including military officials and a photographer.

Plane Crash Details
The tragic event unfolded on Tuesday evening when the plane, a Dassault Falcon 50, took off from Esenboğa Airport in Ankara at 17:10 GMT. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that radio contact was lost at 17:52 GMT, shortly before the aircraft was scheduled to land in Tripoli. The wreckage was later discovered near Kesikkavak village in Ankara’s Haymana district. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Official Reactions
Libya's Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah expressed profound sorrow over the loss, stating that it represents a significant blow to the nation and its military institution. In addition to al-Haddad, four others were on board, including the commander of Libya’s ground forces, the director of military manufacturing, an adviser to al-Haddad, and a photographer from his office. Dbeibah emphasized the impact of this loss on the Libyan people.

Context of the Trip
Al-Haddad's visit to Turkey included meetings with Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and other military leaders. The trip came just a day after the Turkish parliament extended the mandate for Turkish military deployment in Libya for an additional two years. Turkey has been a crucial ally of Libya's internationally recognized government, providing military support and training troops since 2020.

Geopolitical Implications
Turkey's involvement in Libya has been contentious, particularly regarding agreements on maritime boundaries and energy exploration that have drawn opposition from neighboring countries such as Egypt and Greece. Recently, Turkey has adopted a “One Libya” policy, increasing diplomatic engagement with factions in eastern Libya, indicating a shift in its approach to the ongoing conflict.

Wrap-up
The death of Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad marks a significant loss for Libya's military leadership at a time of ongoing political and military challenges. The investigation into the crash is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team