Twelve Turkish soldiers have lost their lives after being exposed to methane gas during a search operation in a cave in northern Iraq, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense (MSB) has announced.
The incident occurred in the Pençe-Kilit Operation zone, where Turkish forces have been carrying out operations against terrorist groups.
Twelve Turkish soldiers lost their lives after being exposed to methane gas during an operation in northern Iraq, prompting condolences from TRNC leaders.
According to the Turkish National Defense Ministry, a search and sweep mission was being conducted in a cave when 19 soldiers were affected by methane gas. Five soldiers died on the day of the incident, while seven more succumbed to the gas exposure on the following day, bringing the total number of martyrs to 12.
The tragedy has sparked widespread mourning in Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
In separate statements, President Ersin Tatar, Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Ziya Öztürkler, and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel extended their condolences.
In their messages, the TRNC officials offered prayers for the fallen soldiers and conveyed their sympathy and solidarity to the grieving families, the Turkish Armed Forces, and the entire Turkish nation.
