There has been a heartbreaking accident with the Turkish soldier in Northern Iraq. The Turkish Ministry of Defense informed, “Eight Turkish soldiers died after coming into contact with methane gas while searching for the remains of a fellow soldier killed by Kurdish militants in 2022 inside a cave in Northern Iraq on Sunday.” These soldiers were inside a hill cave, while searching for the remains, 19 of them came in contact with gas. Due to which 8 soldiers died suffocating.
The ministry said in a statement, “The soldiers were immediately rushed to the hospital, but despite all the efforts, eight soldiers were martyred.” Also told that rescue operations are going on in the area. The Ministry did not explain any special place other than the 'Clock-Lock Operation Area' for the incident, which references to an operation launched against Kurdistan Workers Party or PKK in North Iraq in April 2022.
Search for soldier's remains for three years
The ministry said that the Turkish unit affected by Methane gas was searching for the remains of an army officer killed by terrorist firing during a search-and-cliy operation in May 2022. For the last three years, teams have been looking for its remains, but success has not been achieved.
Cave is dangerous
The cave in which it was being discovered is at an altitude of 852 meters (2,795 ft) and it is believed that in the past it was used as a hospital on behalf of PKK, although it was later cleaned by Turkish soldiers.
The struggle between Türkiye and PKK has been going on for the last 40 years, which extends to the Iraq and Syrian border, Turkey has created several hideouts in the northern Iraq, where Pkk has been present for decades. However, there is now an agreement between the Turkish government and PKK, under which PK fighters are expected to hand over their weapons in the next few days.
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