New statement from the Ministry of National Defense regarding the tragedy where 12 soldiers were martyred

The Ministry of National Defense has issued a statement regarding the incident in the Claw-Lock Operation zone where 12 Turkish soldiers were martyred.

The statement read, "Within the scope of the Claw series of operations launched in northern Iraq in 2019, a total of 3,765 caves/shelters have been successfully identified, searched, and destroyed, and apart from this incident, no other gas-related exposure event has occurred to date.

Furthermore, while our activities to identify and destroy caves, shelters, and tunnels in the operation areas continue, search efforts for the remains of our martyrs whose sacred bodies have not yet been recovered have also been carried out without interruption. In this context, the remains of Infantry Specialist Sergeant Mustafa Bazna, who was martyred on November 3, 2022, were recovered on January 29, 2025, and the remains of Infantry Specialist Sergeant Nurettin Tokyürek, who was martyred on July 7, 2022, were recovered on March 26, 2025. Search efforts for the remains of Infantry First Lieutenant Nuri Melih Bozkurt, who was martyred in the Claw-Lock Operation zone on May 28, 2022, have been ongoing since the very first moment.

The cave on the hill with an elevation of 852, where the incident occurred, was cleared of terrorist organization members on June 23-24, 2024, and all entrances and vents of the cave were sealed. Following intelligence received regarding the search for our sacred martyr's remains, activities resumed in the cave on the 852-elevation hill starting July 1, 2025.

Between July 1 and 5, search and screening activities were conducted in the aforementioned cave, first by a scout dog and subsequently by the Mine and Improvised Explosive Device Detection and Disposal Team, and it was determined that there was a second level with a stepped and tiered structure. On July 6, the day the incident occurred, a reconnaissance was conducted again with a dog before entering the cave, and upon finding no negative indicators, our personnel entered the cave in 3 groups (6+4+2) at intervals, totaling 12 personnel. During the search and screening of the second level, which had been identified the day before, our leading elements began to stumble and faint, prompting the contact and security team at the very rear (2 people) to exit and call for help.

Upon the call for help, 5 personnel who were outside immediately entered the cave to rescue their comrades-in-arms, and some of those who entered also experienced stumbling and fainting. Subsequently, our 12 personnel who were outside entered the cave in pairs, attempting to bring out the personnel affected by the gas. With the exception of our 7 comrades-in-arms at the very front, all personnel affected by the gas were brought out through the self-sacrifice of our personnel assigned to the search and screening activities and were immediately evacuated to the hospital by air; despite all interventions, 5 of our heroic comrades-in-arms were martyred.

Due to this being a situation encountered for the first time, support was requested from expert search and rescue teams affiliated with AFAD and the Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises (TTK). Measurements taken by the expert teams detected carbon monoxide, methane, and hydrogen sulfide gases inside the cave, and upon determining that the oxygen level had dropped to 19 percent, oxygen was pumped into the cave using fans.

After the oxygen level was raised to 60 percent, the remains of our 7 heroic comrades-in-arms who were martyred were recovered by the expert teams from the Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises who entered the cave. We would like to thank the AFAD, UMKE, and Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises personnel once again for their devoted work in the evacuation of our martyrs," the statement said.

Regarding the allegations reflected in the public domain, the Ministry stated, "The claims circulating in the press and on social media that all of our personnel affected by the gas entered the cave at the same time, that their duty equipment was incomplete and they lacked gas masks, that a collapse occurred inside the cave, that it was a trap, that chemical gas was present, or that any of our comrades-in-arms were martyred or injured by shrapnel are completely baseless."

In the MSB statement, responses were also given to the allegations raised regarding the tragedy.

"This event we experienced developed as an exceptional, unforeseen, and extraordinary situation, resulting in an undesirable outcome that has deeply wounded us all. No one should doubt that after this rare event, additional measures will be taken, and all processes will be meticulously reviewed to ensure that necessary lessons are learned so that similar pains are not experienced again.

The administrative investigation process immediately launched regarding the incident in question is ongoing, and the event is being examined in detail from all aspects; the investigation into the source of the carbon monoxide, methane, and hydrogen sulfide gases found inside the cave continues, including the use of unmanned systems. At this stage, while the investigation is ongoing, it is important for the public to rely only on statements made by official authorities.

The results of the ongoing administrative investigation will be shared with the public upon its completion. It is never acceptable to make malicious news, posts, comments, and evaluations in the public sphere with insidious opportunism before waiting for the official statements that have been and will be made, and before the administrative investigation process is completed.

Manipulative rhetoric and content that produce conspiracy theories with definitive judgments despite being far from reality are a systematic disinformation effort aimed at smearing and wearing down our Turkish Armed Forces. It should not be forgotten that these actions are, above all, an insult to our sacred martyrs, the precious families of our martyrs, our Turkish Armed Forces, and our nation.

Our heroic Turkish Armed Forces, which derive their strength from the love, trust, and prayers of the noble Turkish nation from which they emerged; will continue, as they have until now, to be as open and transparent as never before within the framework of legislation regarding the event and developments, to inform the public in a timely and accurate manner, and to be worthy of the strong trust our people place in them. We once again wish God's mercy upon our heroic comrades-in-arms who were martyred; we extend our condolences and patience to their grieving families, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our noble nation; and we wish a speedy recovery to our personnel whose treatments are ongoing."

News Source: İHA