Turkish authorities say they have lost all radio contact with a private jet carrying Libya’s Chief of General Staff, General Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, shortly after it departed Ankara en route to Tripoli.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that the Falcon 50 business jet took off from Esenboga Airport at approximately 17:10 GMT and later issued an emergency landing request while flying above the Haymana district, south of Ankara. Contact with the aircraft was lost around 17:52 GMT, and no further communication has been established.
The aircraft was carrying a total of five people, including General al-Haddad, who had been in Ankara earlier in the day for official meetings with Turkish military counterparts, including Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and other senior commanders. Turkey’s defence ministry had earlier confirmed the Libyan chief of staff’s visit.
Response and Search Efforts
Following the loss of contact, Turkish aviation authorities activated emergency protocols. Several civilian flights were diverted from Ankara’s airspace as a precautionary measure, and search and rescue teams were reportedly deployed toward the last known location of the aircraft.
Local media outlets also aired footage suggesting a flash of light in the area where contact was lost, though officials have not confirmed the cause of that sighting or whether it is related to the missing jet.
Indonesia’s Official Statements and Diplomatic Coordination
Yerlikaya’s posts on the social media platform X reiterated that an emergency signal had been received before communications ceased and that Turkish authorities are working with relevant agencies to clarify the aircraft’s status. Libya’s government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the situation.
Context and Implications
General al-Haddad’s travel to Ankara was seen as part of ongoing military and security coordination between Türkiye and Libya. The loss of contact has prompted concern on both diplomatic and operational fronts, given al-Haddad’s senior role in Libya’s armed forces. Further updates are expected as search operations continue and more information becomes available from Turkish and Libyan officials.
