Türkiye: Contact lost with plane carrying Libyan Chief of Staff Mohammed al-Haddad
In a surprising turn of events, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced Tuesday evening that contact had been lost with a private plane carrying high-ranking Libyan figures, including Lieutenant General Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, Chief of Staff of the Libyan National Army loyal to the Government of National Accord headed by Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. The incident occurred shortly after the plane took off from the Turkish capital, Ankara, en route to Tripoli.
Details of the incident and the time of the disappearance
The Turkish minister explained via his official account on the "X" platform that the missing aircraft was a private Falcon 50, registration number 9H-DFJ. He indicated that the plane took off from Esenboğa Airport in Ankara at 8:10 PM local time, but contact with it was completely lost at 8:52 PM (5:52 PM GMT).
Yerli Kaya added that the control tower received a request for an emergency landing from the plane while it was flying in the vicinity of the "Haymana" region, which is located south of the capital Ankara and is characterized by its diverse terrain, but it was not possible to re-establish contact with the crew after that call, which prompted the mobilization of search and rescue teams in the region.
Who was on board the plane?
Turkish authorities confirmed that the plane was carrying five people, most notably Lieutenant General Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, Chief of Staff of the Libyan National Army in the western region. Al-Haddad is a pivotal figure in the current Libyan military landscape, playing a key role in security and military coordination within the Government of National Accord.
Turkish-Libyan relations and military cooperation
This incident comes within the context of close strategic relations between Ankara and Tripoli, particularly in the military and security spheres. Since the signing of security and maritime memoranda of understanding between the two countries in late 2019, Turkey has become a key supporter of the internationally recognized government in Tripoli. The Turkish and Libyan capitals witness ongoing reciprocal visits by military leaders, with the Libyan army receiving training and logistical support from Turkey, which explains the presence of the Libyan Chief of Staff in Ankara.
The importance of the event and its potential impact
This incident is of paramount importance given the stature of the individual on board the aircraft. Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Haddad is not merely a military commander; he is a key figure in the efforts to unify the Libyan military establishment. He participated in numerous meetings with his counterpart in the eastern region, Lieutenant General Abdul Razzaq al-Nadhuri, within the framework of the Joint Military Commission (5+5) meetings. These efforts enjoy broad international and UN support to ensure stability in Libya and a ceasefire.
Any harm that befalls leaders at this level could cast a shadow over the fragile political and military landscape in Libya, and raise questions about the future of the ongoing security arrangements. Political and international circles are closely following the search and rescue operations currently being conducted by Turkish authorities in the Haymana region, amid hopes of finding the aircraft and its passengers.
