Türkiye loses two servicemen in northern Iraq

As a result of the fire opened by the separatist terrorist organisation in the Turkish Armed Forces' "Pençe-Şimşek" (Claw-Lightning) Operation region in Avashin-Basyan, northern Iraq, on July 9, two Turkish servicemen lost their lives.

According to the Turkish National Defence Ministry, Private Hasan Tas and Private Furkan Günergök were seriously injured and immediately transferred to the hospital, but could not survive the gunshot wounds despite all the interventions.

"We wish God's mercy on our martyrs who lost their lives in this incident, which left us with deep pain and sadness, and we express our condolences and patience to their grieving families, the Turkish Armed Forces and our noble nation," the ministry wrote in a statement on July 9.

"Pençe-Simşek" is one of two operations conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces, along with the "Pençe-Yıldırım" (Claw-Thunder) in northern Iraq.

The two simultaneous operations were launched in April 2021.

They have been carried out in the Metina and Avashin-Basyan regions.