Libya Declares Three Days of National Mourning for Army Chief of Staff
Senior Libyan Military Officials Killed in Tragic Plane Crash After Official Mission to Türkiye
Libya — PUREWILAYAH.COM - The Libyan Government of National Unity has declared three days of national mourning following the death of Mohammed Al-Haddad, Chief of Staff of the Libyan Army, and several senior military officials who were killed in a tragic plane crash while returning from an official mission to Türkiye.
Flags Lowered Nationwide as Libya Mourns Fallen Military Leadership
In an official statement issued Tuesday evening, the Government of National Unity announced that flags will be flown at half-mast across all state institutions, and all official and celebratory activities suspended for three days, in mourning for the late Chief of Staff and his companions.
The statement said the officials died following a tragic aviation incident while returning from the Turkish capital Ankara, where they had carried out official duties.
List of Officials Martyred in the Crash
The Libyan government formally announced the deaths of the following figures:
Mohammed Al-Haddad, Chief of Staff of the Libyan Army
Al-Fitouri Ghraybil, Chief of Staff of the Ground Forces
Mahmoud Al-Qatrawi, Director of the Military Manufacturing Authority
Mohammed Al-Assawi Diab, Adviser to the Chief of Staff
Mohammed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub, Media Office Photographer of the General Staff
The government described the deceased as “a distinguished group of national figures who served Libya with sincerity, discipline, and dedication.”
Prime Minister Orders Investigation in Coordination with Türkiye
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh directed the Ministry of Defense to dispatch an official delegation to Ankara to follow up on the circumstances of the crash, coordinate with Turkish authorities, and ensure the completion of investigations through official channels.
Earlier, Dbeibeh had announced the deaths after the aircraft carrying the delegation crashed near Ankara during their return flight to Tripoli.
Turkish Authorities Confirm Recovery of Wreckage
In Ankara, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that emergency teams had reached the wreckage of the aircraft in the Himena (Gölbaşı) area south of Ankara, and that investigations were underway to determine the cause of the crash.
The aircraft, identified as a Falcon 50, had requested an emergency landing shortly after departure from Ankara, before contact was lost.
Official Visit to Türkiye Before the Crash
Earlier on Tuesday, the late Chief of Staff had conducted an official visit to Türkiye, holding meetings with senior Turkish officials, including:
Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, Turkish Chief of the General Staff
Yaşar Güler, Turkish Minister of Defense
The visit focused on military coordination and bilateral relations.
A National Loss Amid Regional Turbulence
The High Council of State of Libya also issued a statement mourning the loss of the Chief of Staff and his companions, joining a wave of condolences across Libya’s political and military institutions.
The deaths mark a significant loss for Libya’s military leadership at a time when the country continues to navigate security challenges, regional pressures, and post-conflict reconstruction.
As Libya mourns, the tragedy underscores the fragility of stability across the region—and the heavy price paid by states striving to safeguard sovereignty amid a turbulent international order often marked by double standards, militarization, and external interference. (PW)