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Türkiye and Iran are jointly investigating the death of a Turkish soldier killed by gunfire believed to have come from the Iranian side of the Türkiye-Iran border, Türkiye's Ministry of National Defense stated Thursday.
Infantry Contract Private Yusuf Sait Unlu was killed on Oct. 31 while responding to an illegal border crossing in the area of responsibility of the Engin Mayin Border Outpost "as a result of fire assessed to have come from the Iranian side," the ministry said.
"Immediately after the incident, a judicial and administrative investigation was launched, and on Nov. 3, 2026, a meeting was held with Iranian officials at the scene," the ministry said. "It was learned that Iranian authorities have also launched a judicial and administrative inquiry to clarify the incident."
"Efforts to clarify all aspects of the incident are being carried out meticulously in coordination with Iranian authorities," the ministry said, offering condolences to Unlu’s family, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and the nation.
Unlu, serving with the 7th Border Brigade Command in Hakkari’s Yuksekova district, was wounded during the incident and airlifted by helicopter to Hakkari State Hospital, where he died despite all interventions, the ministry said earlier.
Defense Ministry spokesperson Rear Adm. Zeki Akturk also offered condolences for Infantry Specialist Sgt. Oguz Sahin, who died after falling ill in the area of the Alparslan Border Outpost in Van’s Caldiran district.
Unlu was laid to rest in his hometown of Cine in western Aydin province.
The ministry said defense and security cooperation with Iraq continues and welcomed Iraq’s efforts to establish and strengthen outposts and checkpoints along its borders.
"We will continue to provide all kinds of support to our neighbor Iraq in line with the goal of effectively ensuring border security, clearing the region of terrorism and ensuring peace, prosperity and stability," it said.
Akturk said the "Crossed Swords" exercise in Estonia, with remote participation, and the "National Anatolian Phoenix Personnel Recovery" exercise in Konya end Friday, while a Türkiye-Hungary special forces exercise in Ankara ends Nov. 12.
The "Friendship Sea-2026" exercise in Alexandria, Egypt, running Nov. 4-9 with TCG Anadolu, the frigate TCG Gaziantep and the fast attack craft TCG Meltem, will hold its distinguished visitors day Nov. 8 with the Naval Forces commander. The "Blue Whale-2026" anti-submarine exercise will take place in the Eastern Mediterranean Nov. 9-20.
Between Nov. 7 and 26, Türkiye will take part in "Poseidon" and "NATO Tracia" in Bulgaria, "Sonsuzluk" in Azerbaijan and, remotely, the "NATO Torrejon Archer" command and control exercise.
The Türkiye-led Maritime Component Command of the Coalition of the Willing’s Multinational Force for Ukraine will join the "Koalicja 26.2" exercise from its Istanbul headquarters Nov. 9-22, Akturk said.
NATO's Standing Maritime Group 2 ships, Spain’s Patino and Blas de Lezo and Greece’s Aegean, will visit Aksaz Nov. 7-13 as part of Blue Whale. U.S. Navy ships Mount Whitney and Bulkeley will also call at Aksaz, where the Turkish Fleet commander is set to meet the commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet and NATO’s STRIKFORNATO.
Colors were presented Oct. 30 to the 3rd Amphibious Marine Brigade and 2nd Logistic Support Ships Flotilla. Combat and support aircraft conducted a training flight over the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Mehter Band will perform in Istanbul on Nov. 6, the Naval Forces Band will perform at a military band festival in Germany on Nov. 7-8, and the State Opera and Ballet will hold a concert at the Besiktas Naval Museum on Nov. 7.
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