(MENAFN) Twelve Turkish troops lost their lives after inhaling methane gas while conducting a search operation in a mountainous region of northern Iraq, according to official reports from the Turkish Ministry of National Defense on Monday.

The deadly incident occurred during a cave sweep operation at an altitude of 852 meters (2,795 feet), within an area known as the Operation Claw-Lock zone. The cave, according to the ministry’s statement, had been used by members of the PKK, an outlawed group labeled a terrorist organization by several countries and organizations.

The ministry also reported that the operation was part of an effort to recover the remains of a Turkish soldier who had fallen in 2022 during clashes with PKK militants. During this mission, the troops were exposed to toxic gas, resulting in fatalities and affecting a total of 19 personnel.

Following the incident, Turkey’s Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler visited the region to oversee the situation and attend memorial events held in honor of the deceased. The ministry extended heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and the entire country, also wishing a speedy recovery for those impacted.

The Turkish military initiated Operation Claw-Lock in 2022 as a measure to dismantle PKK strongholds located in the Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan regions of northern Iraq. The PKK has been engaged in an armed insurgency against Türkiye for over four decades and is designated as a terrorist group by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union. The YPG is widely recognized as the PKK’s Syrian branch.

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