Tragic Methane Exposure Claims Lives of 12 Turkish Soldiers in Iraq

Twelve Turkish soldiers have tragically lost their lives due to exposure to methane gas while engaged in a military search operation in a cave.

In a devastating report from the Turkish Ministry of National Defence, it has been confirmed that twelve soldiers succumbed to a fatal exposure to methane gas while searching a cave in northern Iraq. The incident occurred during a search and clearance operation on Sunday, which involved retrieving the body of a fellow soldier killed by gunfire in May 2022. Alongside the deceased, 19 additional personnel were exposed to the gas and were immediately hospitalized.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed profound sorrow over the incident, extending condolences to the bereaved families and the Turkish Armed Forces. Methane gas, while not acutely toxic, poses suffocation risks in confined spaces, which may elucidate the tragic outcomes in this instance.

A farewell ceremony took place at an airport in Hakkari, attended by the Turkish defense minister and various high-ranking military officials, where the fallen soldiers were honored before being transported to their home towns.

The soldiers were part of Operation Claw Lock, a military initiative targeting the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU, UK, and the US. The operation combines aerial assaults with ground incursions aimed at eradicating militant threats.

The PKK has been engaged in a prolonged conflict against Turkey since the 1980s, resulting in over 40,000 casualties. In a notable shift, the PKK declared a ceasefire in March and indicated plans to disband in May, suggesting the conclusion of its armed campaigns. Following these announcements, the PKK recently confirmed that a group of its fighters would surrender their arms this week in Iraqi Kurdistan, marking a potential step towards peace in the region.