Turkish soldier killed by terrorist IED in northern Iraq

A Turkish soldier was killed in Türkiye’s anti-terror operation zone in northern Iraq, near the countries’ shared border, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said Monday.

Mehmet Duman died after a bomb blast in Türkiye’s Operation Claw-Lock zone, the ministry said in a statement.

PKK terrorists placed the improvised explosive device in an area where Turkish forces are engaged in anti-terror operations.

The ministry extended its condolences to Duman's family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and the nation.

Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock in April to target the PKK terror organization's hideouts in Iraq's northern Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan regions near the Turkish border.

It was preceded by Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle, launched in 2020 to root out terrorists hiding in northern Iraq and plotting cross-border attacks in Türkiye.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.