Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad Biography: Career, Family, and Legacy

The Life and Legacy of General Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad: Libyan Military Chief Dies in Turkey Plane Crash

​The world was stunned on December 23, 2025, by the news that Lieutenant General Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, the Chief of the General Staff of the Libyan Army, tragically perished in a plane crash near Ankara, Turkey. Known as a pivotal figure in Libya’s pursuit of military unification, his sudden death leaves a significant void in the country's fragile security landscape.

Key Details 

Category	Details
Full Name	Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad
Date of Death	December 23, 2025
Age at Death	58 Years Old (Born 1967)
Place of Birth	Misrata, Libya
Military Rank	Lieutenant General
Primary Position	Chief of the General Staff (Libyan Army)
Cause of Death	Plane Crash (Electrical Failure) - Ankara, Turkey
Aircraft Involved	Dassault Falcon 50
Height	Approx. 5'10" (178 cm)
Major Legacy	Unification of Libyan Armed Forces
Family	Married with children

​The Tragic Incident: Plane Crash in Turkey

​On Tuesday evening, General al-Haddad was returning to Tripoli following high-level defense talks with Turkish military leadership. His aircraft, a Dassault Falcon 50 operated by Harmony Jets, departed from Ankara's Esenboğa Airport at approximately 8:10 PM local time.

​Shortly after takeoff, the flight crew reported a severe electrical failure and requested an emergency landing. Tragically, communication was lost at 8:52 PM. The wreckage was later located near the village of Kesikkavak in the Haymana district, roughly 50 miles southwest of Ankara.

​Victims of the Crash

​All eight people on board—five Libyan officials and three French crew members—lost their lives. The identified Libyan victims include:

✅ Lt. Gen. Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad (Chief of General Staff)

✅ Maj. Gen. Al-Fitouri Ghraibil (Chief of Staff of Ground Forces)

✅ Brig. Gen. Mahmoud Al-Qatioui (Director of Military Manufacturing)

✅ Mohamed Al-Asawi Diab (Adviser to the Army Chief)

✅ Mohamed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub (Media Office Photographer)

​Biography: The Career of a Statesman in Uniform

​Born in 1967 in Misrata, Libya, Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad (aged 58 at the time of his death) was a career soldier who rose through the ranks during one of the most turbulent periods in Libyan history.

​✅ Rise to Power: Al-Haddad gained prominence as a key commander in western Libya. In August 2020, he was appointed Chief of the General Staff by the Presidential Council of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

✅ Military Unification: His legacy is defined by his tireless efforts to unify the split Libyan military institutions. He famously held numerous "5+5" military committee meetings, engaging with his eastern counterpart, General Abdul Razzaq al-Nadhuri, to bridge the divide between Tripoli and Benghazi.

✅ International Diplomacy: Al-Haddad was the face of Libya's military diplomacy, securing training agreements with Italy and maintaining a strategic partnership with Turkey.

​Personal Life: Family, Wife, and Children

​While General al-Haddad was a public figure, he kept his private life relatively guarded. He was a devoted family man, survived by his wife and children. He was born into a respected family in Misrata, and his upbringing in the coastal city heavily influenced his early military career.

​Physical Attributes & Net Worth

​✅ Height and Weight: General al-Haddad stood at approximately 5'10" (178 cm) with a distinguished military bearing.

✅ Net Worth: While specific financial records for military officials are not public, his "net worth" was measured more by his political influence and the state resources he managed. Unlike business magnates with similar names (often confused with Algerian businessman Ali Haddad), the General's life was dedicated to public service.

​Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad Biography: Career, Family, and Legacy

​Throughout his career, General al-Haddad received several national honors for his service to the Libyan state:

1. ​Promotion to Lieutenant General: A testament to his leadership during the ceasefire negotiations.
2. ​Peace Broker: Credited with preventing the resumption of large-scale hostilities in Tripoli through strategic de-escalation.
3. ​Modernization: He initiated the "Military Manufacturing Authority" to boost Libya's self-reliance in defense.

​National Mourning and What’s Next

​Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah declared three days of national mourning, calling the incident a "grave loss for the nation." Even rival administrations in the east expressed condolences, a rare sign of unity sparked by the tragedy.

​The Deputy Chief of Staff has temporarily assumed duties as an investigation into the aircraft's technical failure continues. The "black boxes" (flight recorders) have been recovered by Turkish authorities to determine why the Falcon 50’s electrical systems failed so catastrophically

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How did General Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad die?

✅ General Mohammed al-Haddad died in a plane crash on December 23, 2025. His aircraft, a Dassault Falcon 50, suffered a catastrophic electrical failure shortly after departing from Ankara, Turkey, en route to Tripoli.

Q: Where exactly did the plane crash take place?

✅ The wreckage was discovered near Kesikkavak village in the Haymana district, approximately 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) south of the Turkish capital, Ankara.

Q: Who else was killed in the Ankara plane crash?

✅ Aside from General al-Haddad, seven others lost their lives, including:

Maj. Gen. Al-Fitouri Ghraibil (Chief of Staff of Ground Forces)

Brig. Gen. Mahmoud Al-Qatawi (Director of Military Manufacturing)

Mohamed Al-Asawi Diab (Adviser to the Army Chief)

Mohamed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub (Military Photographer)

Three French crew members.

Q: Was the crash an act of sabotage?

✅ Preliminary investigations by Turkish and Libyan authorities suggest a technical malfunction (electrical failure). As of December 24, 2025, officials have ruled out sabotage, though a formal probe involving the recovered black boxes is ongoing.

Q: What was General Mohammed al-Haddad’s role in Libya?

✅ He served as the Chief of the General Staff of the Libyan Army under the Government of National Unity (GNU) since August 2020. He was highly regarded for his efforts to unify Libya's divided military forces and for his diplomatic ties with Turkey, Italy, and the U.S. (AFRICOM).

Q: Is there a period of national mourning for General al-Haddad?

✅ Yes. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has declared three days of national mourning across Libya. Flags will be flown at half-mast to honor the fallen military leaders.

Q: Who will succeed General al-Haddad as Chief of Staff?

✅ As of now, the Deputy Chief of Staff has temporarily assumed the General's duties. A permanent successor is expected to be appointed by the Libyan Presidential Council following the mourning period.

You May Read This Also