Libyan Chief of Staff Mohammed al-Haddad killed in plane crash

CAIRO – 23 December 2025: Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army, offered his deepest condolences Tuesday following the death of Lt. Gen. Mohammed al-Haddad, who was killed in a plane crash in Turkey.

Haftar expressed profound sorrow over the "tragic loss," extending his sympathies to al-Haddad’s family, the Libyan people, and the members of the armed forces.

Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, head of the Libyan Government of National Unity, confirmed the death of al-Haddad, who served as the chief of staff of the Libyan Army. The crash also claimed the lives of several high-ranking officials and staff, including:

Lt. Gen. al-Fitouri Ghraibil, chief of staff of the Ground Forces;

Brig. Gen. Mahmoud al-Qatawi, director of the Military Manufacturing Authority;

Mohammed al-Asawi Diab, advisor to the chief of staff;

Mohammed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub, a photographer for the chief of staff's media office.

Dbeibah stated the group’s Falcon 50 aircraft crashed while returning from an official diplomatic trip to Ankara. He emphasized that the incident represents a "great loss for the nation, the military establishment, and all the people of Libya."

The aircraft reportedly went down after its radio signal was lost shortly after departure for Tripoli.