Türkiye dismisses claim airline avoided Libya after military plane crash

Türkiye has officially rejected speculative claims that a Turkish Airlines passenger flight avoided landing in Libya due to fears of retaliation following a tragic plane crash near Ankara that killed a high-level Libyan military delegation. The Center for Combating Disinformation (DMM) stated that the flight diversion was caused exclusively by adverse weather, labeling the rumors as unfounded disinformation aimed at harming bilateral relations.

Official Clarification on Flight TK641

In a statement published on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal on Sunday, the DMM clarified the circumstances surrounding Turkish Airlines flight TK641 from Istanbul to Benghazi on December 24. "The flight was diverted to Bodrum Milas Airport due to wind conditions at the destination airport exceeding operational limits. There was no route change for any other reason," the center asserted. It further noted that scheduled flights to Libya continued without disruption in the subsequent days, demonstrating normal operations.

Context of the Tragic Crash

The rumors emerged in the wake of a devastating accident on December 23, when a private jet carrying a Libyan military delegation, including Chief of General Staff General Mohammed Ali Al-Haddad, crashed near Ankara, killing all eight people on board. Türkiye responded with a high-profile funeral ceremony and full cooperation in the ongoing international investigation, underscoring the deep strategic partnership between the two nations.

Call to Reject Harmful Disinformation

The DMM urged the public "not to give credence to such unfounded claims containing disinformation aimed at undermining our relations with friendly and brotherly Libya through a tragic accident." This prompt rebuttal highlights Türkiye's proactive approach to countering false narratives that could damage diplomatic ties. It also reflects the importance Ankara places on its relationship with Tripoli, which encompasses significant defense cooperation, economic partnerships, and mutual support on regional issues. The incident underscores how sensitive geopolitical events can quickly spawn misleading narratives, necessitating clear and authoritative communication from official sources.