A plane crash in Turkey has resulted in the death of Libyan military chief Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad, along with seven other individuals. The incident occurred as the Libyan delegation was returning from an official trip to Ankara, according to Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah.

The private jet, a Dassault Falcon 50-type, departed from Ankara’s Esenboga Airport at 8:10 p.m. local time and lost contact with air traffic controllers 40 minutes later. Turkey’s interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, reported that the jet had requested an emergency landing due to a technical failure before crashing 70 kilometers south of Ankara.

The victims included al-Haddad’s advisor Mohammed Al-Asawi Diab, Major General Al-Fitouri Ghraibil, advisor Mahmoud al-Qatiwi, and photographer Mohammed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub. The plane’s three crew members also lost their lives in the accident.

Libya has been embroiled in a civil war since the fall of Moammer Gadhafi in 2011, with the country experiencing inner power struggles and foreign interference. The UN-backed government, led by Prime Minister Dbeibah, is based in the western part of the country, while a rival government, supported by Russia, operates in the east.

The incident highlights the complexities of Libya’s ongoing conflict and the country’s relations with foreign nations, including Turkey. Ankara has maintained close ties with the UN-backed Libyan government and provides military support to the Tripoli-based administration. The crash is a significant development in the region, and its implications are likely to be closely monitored by international observers.

As the investigation into the crash continues, the international community will be watching for any potential impact on the fragile political landscape in Libya. The loss of the Libyan military chief and other key officials is a significant blow, and the country’s future remains uncertain amidst the ongoing power struggles and foreign involvement.