Methane Gas Leak Kills Four More Turkish Soldiers in Northern Iraq, Raising Toll to Twelve
The Turkish Interior Ministry has since Sunday revealed the names, ranks, and photos of eight of the deceased soldiers, though it remains unclear how many personnel were exposed to the gas or injured in the operation.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Four more Turkish soldiers have been killed due to methane gas exposure during a search operation in a cave used by members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq, bringing the death toll to twelve, Turkey’s Interior Ministry announced Sunday in a statement on X.
The incident occurred on July 6 in the Claw-Lock operation zone, specifically at the 852 Elevation Hill, where Turkish forces were conducting a search-and-clear mission. According to the ministry’s statement, the soldiers were affected by toxic gas inside a cave reportedly utilized by PKK militants.
“In this heartbreaking incident that has caused deep sorrow and grief, four more of our heroic comrades have been martyred, raising the number of martyrs to twelve,” the ministry said.
Turkey's Minister of National Defense, Yaşar Güler, has traveled to the region along with top Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) commanders to conduct inspections and attend the farewell ceremonies for the fallen soldiers, the ministry added.
“We pray for mercy upon our heroic martyrs who lost their lives in this painful incident, extend our heartfelt condolences and patience to their grieving families, our Turkish Armed Forces, and our noble nation, and wish a swift recovery to those affected,” the ministry’s statement read.
The Claw-Lock operation, launched by Turkey in 2022, is aimed at targeting PKK positions in the mountainous border regions of northern Iraq. Ankara considers the PKK a terrorist organization and has intensified its military campaigns in recent years to dismantle the group’s cross-border strongholds.
The Turkish Interior Ministry has since Sunday revealed the names, ranks, and photos of eight of the deceased soldiers, and confirmed that a total of 19 personnel were exposed to the methane gas leak during the operation.
This incident marks one of the deadliest non-combat-related losses for Turkish forces in the operation’s recent history.
Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) have been locked in a four-decade-long conflict that has frequently extended into neighboring Iraq and Syria.
Designated a terrorist organization by Turkey and much of the international community, the PKK announced in May its decision to disband and abandon armed struggle as part of a new peace initiative with Ankara.
As a first tangible step toward disarmament, the group’s fighters are expected to begin surrendering their weapons in the coming days or maybe weeks.
