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The Turkish Ministry of National Defense released detailed findings about the July 6 incident in northern Iraq’s Claw-Lock Operation zone, where 12 Turkish soldiers died after being exposed to toxic gas during a search-and-rescue operation in a previously cleared cave.
The incident occurred during a search operation for Infantry Lt. Nuri Melih Bozkurt, who was killed in action on May 28, 2022.
"The cave where the incident occurred at elevation 852 meters was cleared of terrorist organization members on June 23-24, 2024, and all entrances and openings of the cave were closed," the ministry said.
"Search activities for our martyred heroes continue in the cave at elevation 852 meters starting July 1, 2025, based on received intelligence," the ministry stated.
Between July 1-5, search teams used detection dogs and Mine and Improvised Explosive Device Detection and Disposal Teams to conduct initial searches. The team discovered a second level within the cave's stepped structure.
"On July 6, when the incident occurred, reconnaissance was conducted with dogs before entering the cave. No problems were detected, so a total of 12 personnel entered the cave in three groups (6+4+2) at intervals," the ministry statement said.
During the search of the second level, soldiers in the lead group began staggering and fainting. The rear communication and security team of two soldiers exited the cave and called for help.
Five personnel outside the cave immediately entered to rescue their comrades upon hearing the distress call. Some of these rescuers also began staggering and fainting from gas exposure.
"Subsequently, 12 personnel outside entered the cave in pairs, attempting to evacuate the gas-affected personnel. Except for the seven comrades at the front, all gas-affected personnel were evacuated by the sacrifice of personnel involved in the search operation and immediately transported to hospital by air," the ministry said.
Despite all medical interventions, five soldiers died from gas exposure. The remaining seven soldiers' bodies were later recovered by specialist teams.
The Defense Ministry said this was the first time such an incident had occurred, prompting requests for support from the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and expert search and rescue teams from the Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise.
"Measurements made by specialist teams found carbon monoxide, methane and hydrogen sulfide gases in the cave, and when it was determined that the oxygen ratio had dropped to 19%, oxygen was pumped into the cave with fans," the ministry stated.
"After the oxygen level was raised to 60%, specialist teams from the Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise entered the cave and reached the bodies of our seven heroic comrades who were martyred," the ministry said.
The Defense Ministry dismissed several claims circulating in the media and social networks as "completely baseless." These included allegations that:
The ministry announced that an administrative investigation began immediately following the incident. The investigation examines all aspects of the event, including using unmanned systems to determine the source of the carbon monoxide, methane and hydrogen sulfide gases found in the cave.
"The incident is being examined in detail from all angles, and efforts continue to determine the source of the carbon monoxide, methane and hydrogen sulfide gases found in the cave, including the use of unmanned systems," the statement said.
The incident occurred during Türkiye's Claw Series Operations, which began in northern Iraq in 2019. The ministry said, "In northern Iraq, a total of 3,765 caves/shelters were successfully detected, searched and destroyed under the Pence Series Operations launched in 2019, and no gas exposure incidents have occurred to date except for this incident."
"While cave, shelter and tunnel detection and destruction activities continue in the operational areas, on the other hand, search efforts for the remains of our martyrs whose bodies could not be reached continue uninterrupted," the ministry stated.
The ministry also reported the successful recovery of other fallen soldiers' remains in recent operations:
The Defense Ministry strongly criticized what it called "malicious" news reports, social media posts and commentary about the incident circulating before official investigations conclude.
"Manipulative discourse and content that produces conspiracy theories, despite being far from reality, is a systematic disinformation effort aimed at defaming and undermining the Turkish Armed Forces," the ministry said.
The ministry emphasized it would continue providing timely and accurate information to the public while maintaining transparency about the incident and investigation results.
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