Turkiye Says Three More Troops Die of Methane Exposure in Iraq, Death Toll Reaches Eight

Turkiye’s Defence Ministry reported that three additional Turkish soldiers died from methane gas exposure during a cave search operation in northern Iraq, increasing the total fatalities to eight. The troops were searching for the remains of a soldier killed by Kurdish militants in May 2022 when 19 personnel were overcome by the odorless, colorless gas. The incident occurred in the “Claw‑Lock” operation area and highlights the lingering risks in Turkiye’s campaign against the PKK, despite ongoing peace talks.