Radio contact was lost on Tuesday with a jet carrying Libya’s Chief of General Staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, shortly after it departed from Türkiye’s capital Ankara en route to Tripoli, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, Yerlikaya said the aircraft took off at 17:10 GMT, with radio contact lost at 17:52 GMT while the jet was airborne over central Türkiye. The plane was carrying al-Haddad and four other passengers.

According to the minister, the crew made a request for an emergency landing while flying over the Haymana district of Ankara, but communication was severed before further contact could be established.

Following the loss of contact, Turkish aviation and emergency authorities immediately launched search and coordination efforts, including the activation of air traffic control protocols and the deployment of relevant response teams. Civil aviation officials confirmed that radar monitoring of the aircraft continued for a limited period after the emergency call.

Later on Tuesday evening, Turkish officials said all necessary institutions were working in coordination to determine the aircraft’s status and ensure the safety of those on board. The Turkish Armed Forces and emergency response units were placed on alert as a precaution.

Libyan authorities have been informed of the situation, and diplomatic channels between Ankara and Tripoli remain open as developments unfold. No official statement has yet been issued by Libya’s military regarding the incident.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the loss of communication is ongoing, and authorities said further information would be shared once verified details become available. (ILKHA)