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This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
During search-and-clear operations in the Claw-Lock Operation area, on 7 June 2025, 19 soldiers were exposed to methane gas, resulting in the martyrdom of eight of them. This incident occurred in a cave on Hill 852, previously identified as having been used by terrorist elements as a makeshift hospital and later cleared by the Turkish Armed Forces. The event took place while search efforts continued to locate the remains of Private First Class Nuri Melih Bozkurt, who was martyred by terrorist fire in the same region on 28 May 2022. The soldiers were affected by a sudden release of methane gas, which had naturally accumulated within the cave; despite rescue and medical interventions, eight soldiers lost their lives.
On 28 May 2022, during a cave search and clearance operation in the Claw-Lock Operation area, Private First Class Nuri Melih Bozkurt was martyred by fire opened by members of a separatist terrorist organization. Due to intense fighting, his remains could not be recovered at the time. The area was subsequently brought under the control of security forces, and terrorist elements were neutralized. Despite all subsequent search efforts, Bozkurt’s remains were not found.
Within this context, intensified efforts were directed toward the cave on Hill 852, which had been previously identified as used by terrorists as a makeshift hospital and subsequently cleared of terrorist presence.
During search-and-clear operations conducted on 6 July 2025, 19 soldiers were exposed to a high concentration of methane gas that had accumulated in the cave. Immediately following the incident, personnel were transported to hospital. Initial reports stated that despite all medical interventions, five soldiers were martyred. Rescue operations were carried out in a coordinated manner by fully equipped AFAD and Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) teams.
Later that same day, the Ministry of National Defense issued an update stating that three additional soldiers exposed to methane gas had been martyred, bringing the total number of martyrs to eight.
Following the methane gas exposure during the search operations, fully equipped AFAD and Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) teams conducted coordinated rescue efforts in the area. Initial assessments determined that the gas to which the soldiers were exposed originated naturally, due to the high concentration of methane accumulated within the cave. During the rescue process, other personnel in the vicinity of the cave were evacuated, and efforts were made to control the gas buildup in the area.
The news of the martyrdom of Ordnance Non-Commissioned Officer Senior Sergeant Abdurrahman Akdoğan was delivered to his family residing in Pütürge district of Malatya by official authorities. A Turkish flag was hung on the building where the family lives, and various public officials, including Malatya Governor Seddar Yavuz and Metropolitan Mayor Sami Er, visited the family. A funeral ceremony for Akdoğan was held on 7 July 2025 at Pütürge Central Mosque, after which his remains were buried at Pütürge District Cemetery.
The news of the martyrdom of Contract Soldier Özkan Özkanlı was conveyed to his mother and close relatives residing in Fatih Neighborhood of Aksaray by military authorities. A Turkish flag was hung on the balcony of the soldier’s family home, and medical teams were dispatched to the residence. It was reported that Özkanlı was unmarried and had three siblings. His remains were transported to the Ortaköy State Hospital morgue on 7 July 2025 for burial in Namlıkışla Village of Ortaköy district. It was also revealed that Özkanlı participated in humanitarian activities and provided scholarship support to orphaned students.
The news of the martyrdom of Engineering First Lieutenant Ege Akar was communicated to his family residing in Aydoğdu Neighborhood of Buca district in İzmir. Turkish flags were hung on the residential complex and apartment where the family lives, and a condolence tent was set up outside the building. It was announced that Akar’s father was a retired non-commissioned officer from the Air Force Command and his mother was a retired civil servant from the military, and that he had one sibling.
The news of the martyrdom of Contract Soldier Ahmet Kuşak was delivered to his family residing in Alagüney Neighborhood of Kepsut district in Balıkesir by military authorities. A Turkish flag was hung on the family home, and Kepsut District Governor Tarık Yerlikaya and other officials conveyed their condolences. It was reported that Kuşak was unmarried and had five siblings.
The news of the martyrdom of Contract Soldier Mahsun Yeşildemir was conveyed to his family in Karaşeyh Village of Adilcevaz district in Bitlis. His remains were buried on 7 July 2025 during a ceremony held in Karaşeyh Village. Bitlis Governor Ahmet Karakaya, Deputy Minister of Treasury and Finance Zekeriya Kaya, and regional military officials attended the ceremony.
The news of the martyrdom of Infantry Expert Sergeant Kani Obi was delivered to his family residing in Korgan district of Ordu. Obi’s remains were transported by military aircraft to Ordu-Giresun Airport and are scheduled to be laid to rest on 8 July 2025 following a ceremony in Çayırkent Neighborhood of Korgan district.
The news of the martyrdom of Infrastructure Expert Sergeant Ümit Üzüm was conveyed to his family residing in Kayseri. His remains were transported by military aircraft to Kayseri and are scheduled to be buried on 8 July 2025 in İncedere Neighborhood following a funeral ceremony at the Central Mosque of Sarız district.
The funeral of Infantry Expert Sergeant Enver Yaman was held in Edikli town of Niğde, after which his remains were buried. His family, military officials, and Niğde protocol attended the ceremony.
The funeral of Contract Soldier Ahmet Gültekin was held in Istanbul, after which his remains were buried at Edirnekapı Martyrs’ Cemetery. His family, military officials, and Istanbul protocol attended the ceremony.
The remains of Contract Soldier Celattin Uyanık were laid to rest in Dereyolu Village of Mutki district in Bitlis. His family, military officials, and Bitlis protocol attended the ceremony.
The remains of Infantry Lieutenant Furkan Sert were buried at Malatya Martyrs’ Cemetery following a funeral ceremony held in Malatya. His family, the Malatya Governor’s Office, military personnel, and public officials attended the ceremony.
The funeral of Infantry Commando Non-Commissioned Officer Senior Sergeant Fikret Mangura was held in his hometown of Akhisar district in Manisa. The ceremony took place at Akhisar New Mosque and was attended by his family, military officials, and civilian administrators. His remains were buried at the martyrs’ cemetery in Seferihisar district of İzmir.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in a social media post, expressed his condolences to the martyrs and wished swift recovery for the injured soldiers. TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş issued a condolence message emphasizing that the soldiers exposed to methane gas lost their lives while searching for the remains of Private First Class Nuri Melih Bozkurt.
Alongside Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Family and Social Services, Ministry of Labor and Social Security, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of National Education, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued condolence messages. These messages expressed condolences to the families of the martyred soldiers and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured personnel.
Presidential Spokesperson Fahrettin Altun, in his statement regarding the search-and-clear operation during which soldiers were exposed to methane gas, clarified that the incident occurred due to a high concentration of naturally accumulated methane gas in the cave during operations utilizing all state resources. Altun urged citizens to rely exclusively on official sources for information.
Azerbaijan’s Minister of Defense Zakir Hasanov sent a condolence message to Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler. Hasanov stated that Azerbaijan shares in Türkiye’s grief and stands alongside the Turkish Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism. The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan expressed condolences to the families of the martyred soldiers and wished swift recovery to the injured personnel.
President Ersin Tatar and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus each issued separate condolence messages expressing their sorrow over the incident in the Claw-Lock Operation area. In his message, Üstel affirmed that the TRNC stands alongside the motherland, Türkiye.
On 7 July 2025, a military ceremony was held at Selahaddin Eyyubi Airport in Yüksekova district of Hakkari to honor the fallen. The ceremony was attended by Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Chief of the General Staff General Metin Gürak, Commander of the Land Forces General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, Commander of the Air Forces General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, Commander of the Naval Forces Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, Governor of Hakkari and Acting Mayor Ali Çelik, along with numerous military and civilian personnel. The soldiers carrying the coffins draped in the Turkish flag were:
Following a moment of silence and prayers, the remains of the fallen were carried on the shoulders of their comrades and transported by aircraft of the Turkish Air Forces to their home regions.
A funeral ceremony for Senior Sergeant Abdurrahman Akdoğan was held on 7 July 2025 in the Pütürge district of Malatya. The coffin draped in the Turkish flag was brought to Pütürge Central Mosque, where the funeral prayer was performed after the afternoon prayer.
The ceremony was attended by Malatya Governor Seddar Yavuz, Metropolitan Mayor Sami Er, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ahmet Bağcı, Deputy Chief of Staff and Garrison Commander Major General Erman Kiraz, AK Party Members of Parliament Bülent Tüfenkci and Abdurrahman Babacan, as well as military and civilian officials. After obtaining religious approval, the funeral prayer was performed by Malatya Mufti Ramazan Dolu, and Akdoğan’s remains were then buried in the Pütürge District Cemetery amid takbirs.
A funeral ceremony for Contract Soldier Mahsun Yeşildemir was held on 7 July 2025 in Karaşeyh village, within the Adilcevaz district of Bitlis. The deceased’s remains were brought from his family home to the village mosque, where the funeral prayer was performed after the afternoon prayer. The ceremony was attended by Bitlis Governor Ahmet Karakaya, Deputy Minister of Treasury and Finance Zekeriya Kaya, Van Gendarmerie Security Corps Commander Major General Ünsal Bulut, Bitlis Gendarmerie Commander Brigadier General Zafer Tombul, Bitlis Mayor Nesrullah Tanğlay, and numerous military officials and citizens. After the funeral prayer, Yeşildemir’s remains were laid to rest in the village cemetery. The family received condolences following the burial.
The funeral of Contract Soldier Özkan Özkanlı was held on 7 July 2025 in Ortaköy district of his hometown Aksaray. The deceased’s remains were transported from the Ortaköy State Hospital morgue to Ortaköy District Square, where the funeral prayer was performed after the noon prayer. The ceremony was attended by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, Gendarmerie General Commander General Ali Çardakcı, Aksaray Governor Mehmet Ali Kumbuzoğlu, Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek, Members of Parliament from AK Party, MHP and İYİ Party, local protocol officials, military personnel, and numerous citizens. After obtaining religious approval, Özkanlı’s remains were carried on the shoulders of his comrades and buried in the Namlıkışla village cemetery.
The funeral of Master Sergeant Kani Obi was held on 8 July 2025 in Çayırkent Neighborhood of Korgan district in Ordu. The deceased’s coffin, draped in the Turkish flag, was taken from the Korgan State Hospital morgue to his family home, where religious approval was obtained before being transported to Erocak Mosque. The ceremony was attended by Ordu Governor Muammer Erol, Deputy Minister of Trade Sezai Uçarmak, Samsun Garrison Commander Major General Davut Ala, Ordu Metropolitan Mayor Mehmet Hilmi Güler, Members of Parliament from Ordu, Ordu Gendarmerie Commander Senior Colonel Sadi Akman, Ordu Provincial Police Chief Ahmet Acar, and citizens. After the funeral prayer performed by Ordu Mufti İsmail Çiçek, Obi’s remains were buried in the family cemetery of the neighborhood.
The funeral of Master Sergeant Ümit Üzüm was held on 8 July 2025 in İncedere Neighborhood of Sarız district in Kayseri. The deceased’s remains were transported from Kayseri State Hospital morgue to his family home, where religious approval was obtained before being taken to Sarız Central Mosque. The ceremony was attended by Kayseri Governor Gökmen Çiçek, Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Acting General Secretary of AK Party Mustafa Elitaş, Deputy General Secretary of MHP İsmail Özdemir, military officials, and numerous citizens. After the funeral prayer performed by Mufti Durmuş Ayvaz, Üzüm’s remains were laid to rest in the İncedere Neighborhood martyrs’ cemetery.
The funeral of Master Sergeant Enver Yaman was held on 8 July 2025 in Edikli town of his hometown Niğde. The deceased’s remains were taken to his family home in Edikli, where religious approval was obtained before being transported to the town square. The ceremony was attended by Niğde Governor Cahit Çelik, Deputy Minister of National Defense Alpaslan Kavaklıoğlu, Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç, Members of Parliament, mayors, military officials, and citizens. After the funeral prayer performed by Niğde Mufti Hüseyin Gün, the remains were buried in the town cemetery.
The funeral of Contract Soldier Ahmet Kuşak was held on 8 July 2025 in Kepsut district of Balıkesir and his remains were buried in the rural Alagüney Neighborhood Cemetery. The deceased’s coffin, draped in the Turkish flag, was brought to Kepsut Central Industry Mosque, where the funeral prayer was performed after the noon prayer, followed by burial. The ceremony was attended by Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu, Deputy Minister of Trade Mustafa Tuzcu, Members of Parliament from AK Party, MHP and İYİ Party, Balıkesir Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Akın, Balıkesir Gendarmerie Commander Major General Nurettin Alkan, and citizens.
The funeral of Contract Soldier Celattin Uyanık was held on 8 July 2025 in Bitlis city center, after which his remains were taken to Dereyolu village in Mutki district for burial. The deceased’s coffin, draped in the Turkish flag, was brought to Ersan Mosque in Bitlis city center, where the funeral prayer was performed after the noon prayer. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Bitlis Governor Ahmet Karakaya, AK Party Bitlis MP Turan Bedirhanoğlu, Van Gendarmerie Security Corps Commander Major General Ünsal Bulut, Bitlis Gendarmerie Commander Brigadier General Zafer Tombul, Bitlis Provincial Police Chief Ortaç Şekeroğlu, local military officials, and citizens. After the funeral prayer, Uyanık’s remains were placed on a military caisson and transported to the village cemetery, where they were buried amid prayers. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the family was presented with the Turkish flag and a photograph of the fallen soldier.
The funeral of Contract Soldier Ahmet Gültekin was held on 8 July 2025 in the Fatih district of Istanbul, after which his remains were buried at Edirnekapı Martyrs’ Cemetery. The deceased’s remains, brought from Yüksekova the previous day, were taken to his family home in Fatih Yedikule, where religious approval was obtained before being transported to Ömer Duruk Mosque in Ataköy 5th Section.
The funeral ceremony, held at noon, was attended by Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Speaker of the TBMM Interior Affairs Committee Süleyman Soylu, Leader of the Rebirth Party Fatih Erbakan, Chairman of the Board of Baykar Selçuk Bayraktar, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, Acting Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Nuri Aslan, political party representatives, military officials, and citizens. After the funeral prayer performed by Istanbul Mufti Safi Arpaguş, Gültekin’s remains were buried at Edirnekapı Martyrs’ Cemetery with full military honors. Family members and close relatives were present; medical personnel intervened when his sister fainted during the ceremony.
On 6 July 2025, during search and sweep operations in the Pençe-Kilit operation area, 19 soldiers were exposed to methane gas. The incident occurred in a cave on hill 852, previously used by terrorists as a hospital. Despite intervention efforts, 18 soldiers were killed and the others were transported to a hospital. It was determined that the methane gas had accumulated naturally within the cave.
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July 7, 2025
Background of the Incident
July 7, 2025
Methane Gas Exposure and Initial Response
July 7, 2025
Rescue and Intervention Operations
July 7, 2025
Identities of the Martyred Soldiers
July 7, 2025
Official Statements and Condolence Messages
July 7, 2025
International Condolence Messages
July 8, 2025
Commemoration Ceremony at Yüksekova Selahaddin Eyyubi Airport
July 8, 2025
Funeral Ceremonies Held in the Hometowns of the Fallen