Hundreds of mourners filled a stadium in Misrata on Sunday to pay respects to three senior Libyan military officers who perished in a plane crash last week.
Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah joined other high-ranking officials at the emotional ceremony, a day after similar tributes in Ankara and Tripoli.
The Fatal Flight
On Tuesday 23 December, a private jet carrying the officers, another military official and three crew members went down shortly after departing from an area south of Ankara.
Libyan authorities point to a mechanical fault as the likely cause. A joint investigation with Turkish specialists is underway, with recovery teams examining the wreckage.
A Major Loss for Unity Efforts
The death of General Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad hits particularly hard. As western Libya’s top commander, he played a key role in UN-supported talks to merge the country’s rival armed forces.
Since the 2011 revolution, Libya has been divided:
- West (Tripoli-based government, backed mainly by Turkey)
- East (separate administration under Prime Minister Ossama Hammad)
Al-Haddad was seen as a vital link between the factions, and his absence complicates the fragile peace process.
Turkey’s Growing Role
Ankara has long supported the Tripoli side but has lately warmed relations with the east. The shared mourning events underline the close military and diplomatic bonds between Turkey and Libya.
The crash has cast a shadow over efforts to heal the nation’s deep divisions.
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