Latest news with #TurkishSoldiers
Arab News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan expresses solidarity as 12 Turkish soldiers die in Iraq cave gas incident
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday said it was saddened over the deaths of 12 Turkish soldiers who were killed after being exposed to methane gas during a military search operation in northern Iraq, offering condolences and reaffirming solidarity with Turkiye. According to the Turkish defense ministry, the incident occurred on Sunday during a mission to locate the remains of a soldier killed earlier in operations against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is designated a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union. The soldiers were operating in the Claw-Lock Operation zone, part of a broader Turkish cross-border military campaign launched in April 2022 to root out PKK fighters from northern Iraq's mountainous terrain. The ministry said several other soldiers exposed to methane gas in the same cave were hospitalized for treatment. '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,' the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. 'We wish Allah's mercy upon the martyrs and express deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Pakistan stands in firm solidarity with brotherly Turkiye in this moment of grief.' While fatal gas exposure incidents in combat zones are relatively rare, the risk of methane buildup in enclosed or underground spaces such as caves or tunnels is well documented in both military and mining contexts. Methane is a colorless, odorless, and highly flammable gas that can displace oxygen, leading to suffocation in confined environments. In past years, Turkish forces have reported discovering elaborate tunnel networks used by PKK fighters in northern Iraq, often rigged with explosives or hazardous substances. In 2021, three Turkish soldiers were killed in a suspected chemical exposure during clashes in a cave complex in the same region, though Turkish authorities did not publicly confirm the substance involved. The latest incident underscores the continuing dangers faced by Turkish troops deployed in high-risk terrain as part of ongoing security operations. Turkiye has maintained a network of military bases in Iraq's Kurdistan region for years, a policy that has drawn criticism from Baghdad but is defended by Ankara as necessary for national defense. Pakistan and Turkiye share close defense and diplomatic ties, with regular high-level exchanges and joint military cooperation. Islamabad has consistently voiced support for Ankara's security concerns, including its fight against the PKK.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Methane gas inside northern Iraq cave kills 12 Turkish soldiers
Twelve Turkish soldiers have died after inhaling methane gas during a mission in northern Iraq, the Turkish Ministry of National Defence says. 'Four other of our heroic comrades in arms, affected by methane gas, have died … bringing the total number of victims to 12,' the ministry said in a post on X on Monday. According to it, the incident took place on Sunday as troops searched for the remains of a soldier killed by fighters belonging to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in 2022. PKK has been labelled a terrorist group by Turkiye, the European Union and the United States. It fought for Kurdish autonomy for years, a fight that has been declared over now. Nineteen soldiers were exposed to the gas inside a site once used by armed fighters as a hospital. The condition of the remaining seven soldiers was not clear immediately. 'I wish a speedy recovery for our heroes affected by methane gas,' Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya wrote on X. The soldiers were conducting a sweep operation inside a cave at an altitude of 852 metres (2,795 feet) in the Metina region, part of Turkiye's ongoing Operation Claw-Lock targeting the PKK positions in northern Iraq. Though the gas is not considered toxic, methane can become deadly in confined spaces due to suffocation risks. The ministry has not clarified how the gas accumulated inside the cave. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his 'great sorrow' over the incident and extended condolences to the families of the fallen. Defence Minister Yasar Guler travelled to the area to oversee inspections and attend ceremonies for the deceased. News of the deaths emerged as a delegation from the pro-Kurdish DEM party was visiting jailed PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan as part of the ongoing negotiations with the Turkish government. The decades-long conflict between Ankara and the PKK has killed more than 40,000 people since 1984.
Al Jazeera
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Methane gas inside northern Iraq cave kills 12 Turkish soldiers
Twelve Turkish soldiers have died after inhaling methane gas during a mission in northern Iraq, the Turkish Ministry of National Defence says. 'Four other of our heroic comrades in arms, affected by methane gas, have died … bringing the total number of victims to 12,' the ministry said in a post on X on Monday. According to it, the incident took place on Sunday as troops searched for the remains of a soldier killed by fighters belonging to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in 2022. PKK has been labelled a terrorist group by Turkiye, the European Union and the United States. It fought for Kurdish autonomy for years, a fight that has been declared over now. Nineteen soldiers were exposed to the gas inside a site once used by armed fighters as a hospital. The condition of the remaining seven soldiers was not clear immediately. 'I wish a speedy recovery for our heroes affected by methane gas,' Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya wrote on X. The soldiers were conducting a sweep operation inside a cave at an altitude of 852 metres (2,795 feet) in the Metina region, part of Turkiye's ongoing Operation Claw-Lock targeting the PKK positions in northern Iraq. Though the gas is not considered toxic, methane can become deadly in confined spaces due to suffocation risks. The ministry has not clarified how the gas accumulated inside the cave. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his 'great sorrow' over the incident and extended condolences to the families of the fallen. Defence Minister Yasar Guler travelled to the area to oversee inspections and attend ceremonies for the deceased. News of the deaths emerged as a delegation from the pro-Kurdish DEM party was visiting jailed PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan as part of the ongoing negotiations with the Turkish government. The decades-long conflict between Ankara and the PKK has killed more than 40,000 people since 1984.
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Methane gas kills 12 Turkish soldiers in Iraq operation
Twelve Turkish soldiers have died after being exposed to methane gas while searching a cave in Iraq, the Turkish Ministry of National Defence said. At least 19 personnel were exposed to the gas during the search and clear operation on Sunday, and immediately taken to Monday 12 soldiers had died, the ministry troops were searching for the body of a soldier who was killed in gunfire in May 2022. The ministry said despite efforts the remains have still not been recovered.
France 24
06-07-2025
- Health
- France 24
Five Turkish soldiers killed by methane gas during northern Iraq cave search
Five Turkish soldiers have died after exposure to methane gas on Sunday while searching a cave in northern Iraq for the remains of a fellow soldier killed by Kurdish militants in 2022, the Turkish Defence Ministry said. Soldiers were searching a mountain cave when 19 of them were exposed to the gas, which is colorless, odorless, flammable and can cause asphyxiation in sufficient concentration. 'They were immediately transported to the hospital (but) despite all interventions, five heroic personnel were martyred,' the ministry said in a statement. 'Rescue operations in the area continue.' The ministry did not give a specific location for the incident other than the 'Claw-Lock Operation region,' a reference to an operation launched against the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, in north Iraq in April 2022. The Turkish unit affected by methane gas was searching for the remains of an infantry officer killed by 'terrorist gunfire' during a search-and-clear operation in May 2022, the ministry said. For the last three years, teams have been hunting for his remains. The cave was at an altitude of 852 meters (2,795 foot) and was known to have been used as a hospital by the PKK in the past, although it had since been cleared by Turkish soldiers. The office of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the soldiers were 'exposed to a high concentration of accumulated methane gas.' Turkey and the PKK have waged a 40-year conflict which 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 organisation 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.
