Erdogan Offers Condolences to Libya After Fatal Jet Crash Kills Senior Military Officials

ANKARA, Dec 25 :  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his condolences to Libya’s Presidential Council following a deadly plane crash that claimed the lives of the country’s top military leadership.

According to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate, President Erdogan spoke by phone on Wednesday with Libya’s Presidential Council Chairman Mohammad al-Manfi to convey his sympathy over the deaths of Libya’s Chief of General Staff, Gen. Mohamed Ali Al-Haddad, and other accompanying officials.

During the call, Erdogan said recovery and investigation efforts at the crash site were continuing without disruption, underscoring Türkiye’s commitment to uncovering the cause of the tragedy.

Highlighting the close relationship between the two nations, Erdogan reaffirmed Ankara’s support for Libya, describing the two countries as “friendly and fraternal” and pledging continued assistance as authorities work through the aftermath of the crash.

The fatal incident occurred on Tuesday when a Falcon 50 business jet crashed shortly after departing from Ankara’s Esenboga Airport en route to Tripoli. The wreckage was later located approximately two kilometres south of Kesikkavak in the Haymana district of Ankara.

Search and recovery operations continued overnight despite challenging weather conditions, including heavy rain and fog. Efforts at the scene are being coordinated from a mobile command centre established by Türkiye’s disaster management agency, AFAD, as investigations into the cause of the crash remain ongoing.