Ankara, December 24, 2025 (Agencies) – A private jet carrying Libya’s top military leadership is feared to have crashed in central Türkiye after losing contact with air traffic control shortly after requesting an emergency landing, according to Turkish authorities and local media reports.
The Dassault Falcon 50 aircraft, which was transporting Libya’s Chief of General Staff General Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad along with four other senior officials, departed from Ankara’s Esenbo?a Airport late Tuesday bound for Tripoli. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that ground services lost communication with the jet approximately 40 minutes after takeoff.
Before contact was severed, the aircraft had requested an emergency landing while flying over the Haymana district, southwest of the Turkish capital. Despite repeated attempts, authorities were unable to reestablish communication with the plane.
Turkish media reported that search and rescue operations were immediately launched in the area where the aircraft was last detected. As a precautionary measure, airspace around Ankara was temporarily restricted and several flights were diverted. Some local television channels aired footage showing a flash in the sky near Haymana, though officials have not yet confirmed whether it was linked to the missing jet.
According to initial reports, the Libyan military delegation had been in Türkiye earlier in the day for high-level meetings with Turkish defense officials. Turkish authorities have not officially confirmed the fate of the aircraft or its passengers, stating that investigations and search efforts are ongoing.
Further details are expected as rescue teams continue operations and authorities assess the situation.