Methane gas kills 12 Turkish soldiers in Iraq operation
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Twelve Turkish soldiers have died after being exposed to methane gas in a cave during a military operation in northern Iraq.
Methane Gas Kills 12 Turkish Soldiers in Northern Iraq Cave
Troops were searching for remains from earlier operation when exposed to suffocating gas during military mission
Twelve Turkish soldiers have died after being exposed to methane gas while conducting a cave search in northern Iraq, Turkey’s Ministry of National Defence confirmed on Monday.
The incident occurred during a search and clear operation as part of Operation Claw Lock, Turkey’s ongoing military campaign against PKK militants in Iraq. The soldiers had entered the cave to recover the body of a comrade killed during clashes in May 2022.
A total of 19 personnel were exposed to the gas on Sunday and were immediately hospitalized. By the following day, 12 had died, according to official reports.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed “great sorrow” over the incident and extended condolences to the soldiers’ families and the Turkish Armed Forces.
Unclear Methane Source
Methane gas itself is not directly toxic, but in confined spaces like caves, it can displace oxygen and cause fatal suffocation. Officials have yet to explain why such high concentrations of methane were present in the cave, raising questions about safety protocols during such missions.
A farewell ceremony for some of the fallen soldiers was held at an airport in Hakkari province on Monday, attended by Turkey’s Defence Minister and top military officials. The bodies were then transported to their hometowns for burial.
Context: The PKK Conflict
The soldiers’ mission is linked to Operation Claw Lock, launched to combat the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is designated as a terrorist group by Turkey, the EU, the US, and the UK.
The PKK began its insurgency in the 1980s with a goal of Kurdish independence. Over time, it shifted focus to seek greater autonomy and rights for Kurds within Turkey. The conflict has claimed over 40,000 lives.
In March 2024, the PKK announced a ceasefire and in May declared its intention to disband, stating it had “completed its historical mission.” The group announced plans to begin disarming in the Iraqi Kurdistan region this week, marking a significant step toward peace after decades of violence.
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