A jet carrying libya’s army chief lost contact with air traffic control shortly after departing from Ankara, Turkey on December 23, 2025, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation [[1]]. The Falcon 50 aircraft signaled an intent to make an emergency landing before dialog was lost again, raising concerns about the fate of those on board and the potential impact on Libya’s fragile political climate. While authorities have yet to confirm a crash, reports of a shining flash near the aircraft’s last known location are adding to the urgency of the search [[1]].
A signal was lost with a jet believed to be carrying the Libyan army chief while en route from Ankara, Turkey, according to Reuters. The aircraft, a Falcon 50, initially lost contact shortly after departing from Ankara.
Approximately 20 minutes later, the flight crew indicated an intention to make an emergency landing near the town of Haymana. However, communication was subsequently lost again, prompting Turkish authorities to launch a search operation.
While no official confirmation of a crash has been released, Al Jazeera reports that witnesses observed a bright flash in the area where the aircraft was last tracked.
Concerns are mounting over the fate of a Libyan military aircraft and its passengers, including the country’s army chief, after the plane disappeared from radar following its departure from Ankara, Turkey on December 23, 2025. The incident, involving a mid-sized Falcon 50 jet, has triggered a search and rescue operation by Turkish authorities.
Initial reports indicated a loss of communication shortly after takeoff from the Turkish capital. The flight crew then signaled their intent to perform an emergency landing in the vicinity of Haymana, a town located southwest of Ankara. However, contact was lost once more, leaving the aircraft’s whereabouts unknown.
According to eyewitness accounts cited by Al Jazeera, a bright flash was observed in the area corresponding to the aircraft’s last known position. As of now, officials have not confirmed a crash, and the search continues. The disappearance of the aircraft raises questions about stability in the region and potential implications for Libya’s ongoing political and security landscape.
The incident is being closely monitored by international observers, given the sensitive geopolitical context of Libya and the potential for regional repercussions. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
