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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.
Asharq Al-Awsat
07-07-2025
- Health
- Asharq Al-Awsat
7 more Turkish Soldiers Die from Methane Gas in Iraqi Cave, Raising Deaths to 12
Seven more Turkish soldiers have died from methane gas poisoning following a cave search operation in northern Iraq, Türkiye'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, Reuters reported. '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 a ceremony as the soldiers were flown to their hometowns for burial. Speaking at the ceremony, Guler commended the troops' 'great courage and sacrifice,' adding: 'Our grief is immense and our feelings are beyond words.' 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. Türkiye and the PKK have waged a 40-year conflict that has often spilled over into Iraq and Syria. Türkiye 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 Türkiye and most of the West, announced in May that it would disband and renounce armed conflict as part of a new peace initiative with Türkiye. 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.
Associated Press
07-07-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
3 more Turkish soldiers die from methane gas in Iraqi cave, raising deaths to 8
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Three 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 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 colorless, odorless, 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. 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.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Turkey says 5 soldiers killed by methane gas during cave search in northern Iraq
ISTANBUL (AP) — 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 Defense 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 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.
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.
