Latest news with #Claw-LockOperation
Express Tribune
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan offers condolences over death of 12 Turkish soldiers in Iraq gas incident
Pakistan has expressed its deepest condolences on Tuesday after 12 Turkish soldiers lost their lives following exposure to methane gas during a search mission in northern Iraq. In a statement on Tuesday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan conveyed the nation's grief over the tragedy. "We are deeply saddened to learn that 12 Turkish soldiers were martyred after being exposed to methane gas during a search mission in the Claw-Lock Operation zone," he said. He prayed for the Almighty's mercy upon the fallen soldiers and extended heartfelt condolences to their families. We are deeply saddened to learn that 12 Turkish soldiers were martyred, after being exposed to methane gas during a search mission in the Claw-Lock Operation zone. We wish Allah's mercy upon the martyrs and express deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Pakistan 🇵🇰… — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 8, 2025 Khan also reiterated Pakistan's unwavering support for Turkey during this difficult time, offering solidarity with the brotherly nation. The Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency reported that the soldiers were exposed to the methane gas while carrying out a sweep operation in a cave located at an altitude of 2,795 feet in the Claw-Lock Operation zone. Read: Turkey evacuates over 50,000 as wildfires rage in Izmir province The Turkish defence ministry said the incident took place on Sunday during a mission to locate the remains of a Turkish soldier killed during a military operation against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in May 2022. Eleven other soldiers, who were also exposed to gas in the cave have been shifted to the hospital, the ministry said. Millî Savunma Bakanı Yaşar Güler ve beraberindeki TSK Komuta Kademesi'nin, Pençe-Kilit Harekâtı bölgesinde metan gazından zehirlenerek GATA'da tedavileri devam eden kahraman Mehmetçiklerimizi ziyaretinden görüntüler…#MillîSavunmaBakanlığı#YaşarGüler — T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) July 7, 2025 The incident comes at a sensitive time with Turkey in talks to end the conflict with the Kurds after the PKK militant group agreed to end its decades-long armed struggle. The conflict, which began in 1984, has cost more than 40,000 lives.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Turkish soldiers die of methane gas poisoning in Iraq
AI- Generated Image Turkey said on Monday that a dozen soldiers had died of methane gas poisoning after being exposed to the substance while searching a cave in northern Iraq for a soldier shot dead by Kurdish fighters three years ago. The Defence Ministry gave an initial death toll of eight, but later raised it. "Four others of our heroic comrades in arms, affected by methane gas, have died ... bringing the total number of victims to 12," the ministry said on X. Methane is a colourless, odourless, flammable gas that can cause asphyxiation in sufficient concentration. What else did Turkey say? "During a search operation in a cave... previously known to have been used as a hospital... 19 of our personnel were exposed to methane gas," the ministry said on Sunday. It said other soldiers also exposed to the gas in the cave had been taken to the hospital for treatment. The ministry said the incident took place in the "Claw-Lock Operation region" — a reference to an operation launched against the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, in northern Iraq in April 2022 to clear militants holed up in caves along the border. It said the soldier whose body was being looked for had been killed by "terrorist gunfire." Recovery teams have been searching the area for the past three years. Long-running conflict with PKK Turkey and the PKK have waged a 40-year conflict that has often spilled over into Iraq and Syria, with an estimated 40,000 people losing their lives. The cave where the incident occurred is located at an altitude of 852 meters (2,795 feet) and had previously been used by the PKK as a field hospital. Recovery teams have been searching the area for the past three years. Turkey is currently in talks with the PKK on ending the conflict after the group agreed to halt its armed struggle.
DW
07-07-2025
- Health
- DW
12 Turkish soldiers die of methane gas poisoning in Iraq – DW – 07/07/2025
Turkey says 12 soldiers have died after exposure to methane gas during a cave search operation in northern Iraq. It did not explain the presence of the gas in the cave. Turkey said on Monday that a dozen soldiers had died of methane gas poisoning after being exposed to the substance while searching a cave in northern Iraq for a soldier shot dead by Kurdish fighters three years ago. The Defense Ministry gave an initial death toll of eight, but later raised it. "Four others of our heroic comrades in arms, affected by methane gas, have died ... bringing the total number of victims to 12," the ministry said on X. Methane is a colorless, odorless, flammable gas that can cause asphyxiation in sufficient concentration, "During a search operation in a cave ... previously known to have been used as a hospital... 19 of our personnel were exposed to methane gas," the ministry said on Sunday. It said other soldiers also exposed to the gas in the cave had been taken to the hospital for treatment. The ministry said the incident took place in the "Claw-Lock Operation region" — a reference to an operation launched against the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, in northern Iraq in April 2022 to clear militants holed up in caves along the border. It said the soldier whose body was being looked for had been killed by "terrorist gunfire." Recovery teams have been searching the area for the past three years. Turkey and the PKK have waged a 40-year conflict that has often spilled over into Iraq and Syria, with an estimated 40,000 people losing their lives. The cave where the incident occurred is located at an altitude of 852 meters (2,795 feet) and had previously been used by the PKK as a field hospital. Recovery teams have been searching the area for the past three years. Turkey is currently in talks with the PKK on ending the conflict after the group agreed to halt its armed struggle.
07-07-2025
- Health
7 more Turkish soldiers die from methane gas in Iraqi cave, raising deaths to 12
ANKARA, Turkey -- Seven more Turkish soldiers have died from methane gas poisoning following a cave search operation in northern Iraq, Turkey's Defense Ministry said Monday, bringing the death toll to 12. The soldiers had been searching for the remains of a fellow soldier previously killed by Kurdish militants. The troops were searching a mountain cave when 19 of them were exposed to the gas, according to the ministry. Five of the soldiers died Sunday from the colorless, odorless, flammable gas that can cause asphyxiation in sufficient concentration, and seven more succumbed on Monday. 'We pray for God's mercy upon our heroic martyrs who lost their lives in this tragic event,' the ministry said Monday, also expressing hope for a rapid recovery for other troops that were affected. It said Defense Minister Yasar Guler and armed forces' commanders were traveling to the region to carry out 'inspections and evaluations' and attend funeral ceremonies. The ministry said the incident took place in the 'Claw-Lock Operation region' — a reference to an operation launched against the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, in northern Iraq in April 2022. There was no immediate information on the condition of the seven other soldiers who were affected by the gas. Turkey and the PKK have waged a 40-year conflict that has often spilled over into Iraq and Syria. Turkey has set up a series of bases in northern Iraq, where the PKK has been established for decades. The PKK, which is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey and most of the West, announced in May that it would disband and renounce armed conflict as part of a new peace initiative with Turkey. Its fighters are expected to begin handing over their weapons over the next few days in the first concrete move toward disarmament. According to the ministry, the Turkish unit overcome by methane gas had been searching for the remains of an infantry officer killed by 'terrorist gunfire' during a search-and-clear mission in May 2022. Recovery teams have been scouring the area for the past three years. The cave where the incident occurred sits at an altitude of 852 meters (2,795 feet) and had previously been used by the PKK as a field hospital.
Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
3 more Turkish soldiers die from methane gas in Iraqi cave, raising deaths to 8
Three more Turkish soldiers have died from methane gas poisoning following a cave search operation in northern Iraq, Turkiye's Defence Ministry said Monday, bringing the death toll to eight. The soldiers had been searching for the remains of a fellow soldier previously killed by Kurdish militants. The troops were searching a mountain cave when 19 of them were exposed to the gas, according to the ministry. Five of the soldiers died Sunday from the colourless, odourless, flammable gas that can cause asphyxiation in sufficient concentration, and three more succumbed on Monday. 'We pray for God's mercy upon our heroic martyrs who lost their lives in this tragic event,' the ministry said Monday, also expressing hope for a rapid recovery for other troops that were affected. The ministry said the incident took place in the 'Claw-Lock Operation region' — a reference to an operation launched against the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, in northern Iraq in April 2022. Turkiye and the PKK have waged a 40-year conflict that has often spilled over into Iraq and Syria. Turkiye has set up a series of bases in northern Iraq, where the PKK has been established for decades. The PKK, which is considered a terrorist organization by Turkiye and most of the West, announced in May that it would disband and renounce armed conflict as part of a new peace initiative with Turkiye. Its fighters are expected to begin handing over their weapons over the next few days in the first concrete move toward disarmament. According to the ministry, the Turkish unit overcome by methane gas had been searching for the remains of an infantry officer killed by 'terrorist gunfire' during a search-and-clear mission in May 2022. Recovery teams have been scouring the area for the past three years. The cave where the incident occurred sits at an altitude of 852 meters (2,795 feet) and had previously been used by the PKK as a field hospital.
