President Nechirvan Barzani of the Kurdistan Region sent a condolence message to Turkey following the deaths of 12 Turkish soldiers. The soldiers died after methane gas exposure during a recovery mission in a cave located in the Duhok province.
The operation aimed to retrieve the body of a Turkish officer killed in 2022 during Operation Claw-Lock, a military campaign targeting PKK positions in northern Iraq. The tragedy reignited concerns over the prolonged conflict between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Barzani addressed Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler directly, offering sympathy to both the government and the soldiers’ families. He also wished a quick recovery to those injured in the incident. Barzani stressed the need for continued cooperation to maintain peace and stability in the region.
The deaths marked a fresh blow in the context of a decades-long confrontation. Methane gas trapped inside the cave led to the fatal exposure, according to Turkish defense sources.
On Sunday, Turkey’s DEM Party, which advocates for Kurdish rights, released a statement mourning the soldiers. The party warned that the ongoing conflict causes pain for all people involved. They emphasized the urgency of resolving longstanding political issues to prevent further losses.
That same day, DEM Party members visited Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned PKK leader. He reportedly expressed deep concern about the tragedy and reiterated his desire for peace. Ocalan, who once called for armed struggle, now supports political negotiation as a solution to the conflict.
The PKK originally sought to create an independent Kurdish state but later shifted toward demands for cultural and political rights. Turkey and several Western nations list the PKK as a terrorist group.
Barzani praised efforts that foster regional calm. He called on all sides to pursue mutual understanding and stability through political dialogue instead of continued fighting.
This latest loss adds pressure on both Turkish and Kurdish leaders to find lasting peace. As families grieve and regional tensions rise, figures like Barzani continue to urge more coordination between regional powers.
His message stands as a reminder that political progress and peaceful intentions remain vital amid decades of conflict.