The military jet lost radio contact soon after takeoff, and Turkish authorities later located the wreckage near the village of Kesikkavak in Haymana district, south of Ankara.

The crash also claimed the lives of four other senior Libyan officials, including the commander of Libya’s ground forces, the director of the military manufacturing authority, an adviser to the chief of staff, and a photographer from the chief of staff’s office.

Libya’s Prime Minister, Abdulhamid Dbeibah, described the incident as a “tragic and painful loss for the nation and its military institution”, noting that the delegation had been returning from an official visit to Turkey when the crash occurred. The government has launched investigations in coordination with Turkish authorities to determine the cause of the accident.

Al-Haddad’s death comes at a sensitive time for Libya, which continues to face complex security and political challenges. As Chief of Staff, he played a central role in coordinating military operations and maintaining stability. Analysts warn that his passing could create a temporary leadership gap in Libya’s armed forces, potentially affecting ongoing security operations.

National mourning has been declared in Libya, with leaders and citizens expressing condolences over the loss of the senior military figures. The incident also underscores the strategic ties between Libya and Turkey, where the delegation had traveled for official engagements.