Saturday, December 27, 2025

Libyan Army Chief Dies in Plane Crash near Turkiye’s Capital Ankara

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Khalifa Haftar, head of eastern Libya’s rival administration – whose forces al-Haddad opposed during a 2019 advance on western Libya – was among those who extended sympathies. . .

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Libyan Army's Chief Dies in Plane Crash in Turkey

In a statement, Haftar expressed “deep sorrow over this tragic loss” and offered condolences to al-Haddad’s family, tribe, and city, as well as “to all the Libyan people”.

Turkiye holds military ceremony for Libyan army chief killed in crash

Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler and military chief Selcuk Bayraktaroglu attend ceremony at an airbase near Ankara.

Libyan army officilas arrive to the crash site of a jet carrying Libya's army chief of staff Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad near Kesikkavak village, Turkey, December 24, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer — Libyan army officilas arrive at the crash site of a jet carrying Libya's army chief of staff Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad near Kesikkavak village, Turkiye, on December 24, 2025 [Reuters]

By Stephen Quillen and News Agencies
Published On 27 Dec 2025 27 Dec 2025

Turkiye has held a military ceremony to honour a group of Libyan officials, including military chief Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, who were killed in a plane crash over Turkish territory earlier this week.

The ceremony, held on Sunday at Murted airbase outside the capital, Ankara, honored al-Haddad and four other military officers who were in Turkiye for high-level defense talks before the crash on Tuesday.

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Turkiye’s military chief Selcuk Bayraktaroglu and Defence Minister Yasar Guler were in attendance at the ceremony. The remains of the Libyan officials will be transported back home, where an official funeral will be held.

The aircraft carrying the Libyan delegation went down on Tuesday shortly after taking off from Ankara, following what Libyan officials said was a technical malfunction.

All those on board, including three crew members, were killed.

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Al-Haddad, Libya’s highest-ranking military officer, was a key figure in the United Nations-brokered efforts to unify the country’s divided armed forces. His death drew condolences even from the rival factions.

“Haddad was this strong, charismatic leader who always [sought] peace in the country,”

--- said Al Jazeera’s Malik Traina, reporting from al-Haddad’s hometown of Misrata, Libya.

“He was a man of peace, well-respected across the country, even among people he fought against.”

Video captures Libyan military chief’s fatal plane crash near Ankar

Libya plunged into chaos after the country’s 2011 uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

The country is split, with rival administrations in the east and the west, backed by an array of rogue militias and different foreign governments.

Turkiye has been the main backer of Libya’s government in the west, but has recently taken steps to improve ties with the eastern-based administration as well.

Traina said it will be “extremely difficult” for Libya’s Western government “to find someone as respected” to replace al-Haddad, who had chaired a United Nations-backed truce committee. “They are extremely big shoes to fill.”

Egyptian Military Chief Congratulates New Libyan Army Chief of Staff

Saturday, August 23, 2025 National

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Major General Ahmed Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, sent a congratulatory message to Lieutenant General Khaled Khalifa Haftar on his appointment as Chief of Staff of the Libyan National Army.

In his message, Major General Ahmed Khalifa emphasized the Egyptian Armed Forces’ pride in the historical relations between the Egyptian and Libyan militaries.
He expressed confidence that this step would contribute to supporting efforts to establish security and stability in Libya.

He also affirmed the Egyptian Armed Forces’ eagerness to enhance joint cooperation and coordination to promote security and stability in the region.