State Funeral Held for Libyan General Killed in Jet Crash

Hundreds of people gathered at a stadium in Misrata on Sunday for the funeral of three senior military officers killed in a plane crash last week.

The ceremony honored General Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad and two other high-ranking officials who died in the line of duty.

The event saw a massive turnout, including Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah and other top political and military leaders. This final farewell followed memorial services held in both Ankara and Tripoli on Saturday.

Technical Failure Suspected in Ankara Crash

The officers, along with another military official and three crew members, lost their lives on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. Their private jet crashed shortly after taking off from an area south of the Turkish capital.

Current status of the investigation:

• Official Cause: Libyan authorities suspect a technical malfunction led to the accident.
• Cooperation: An investigation is still active, with Libyan officials working closely with Turkish experts to analyze the wreckage.
• Recovery: Specialized teams have been deployed to the crash site to retrieve all remaining evidence.

A Heavy Blow to National Unity Efforts

The loss of General al-Haddad is significant for the future of Libya. As the chief military commander for western Libya, he was a central figure in United Nations-backed missions aimed at unifying the country’s divided armed forces.

Since the 2011 uprising, Libya has remained split between:

1. The West: Governed by Prime Minister Dbeibah in Tripoli, supported largely by Turkey.
2. The East: Administered by Prime Minister Ossama Hammad.

General al-Haddad was viewed as a bridge-builder between these rival factions, making his sudden death a major setback for the ongoing peace process.

Evolving Diplomacy in a Divided Land

Turkey remains a key player in the region. While they have historically been the primary backer of the Tripoli government, they have recently taken strategic steps to improve diplomatic ties with the eastern administration.

The presence of both Turkish and Libyan officials during the memorial services highlights the strong ties between the two nations, even as Libya continues its difficult journey toward a unified government and military.

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