Two Turkish Soldiers Killed and Four Wounded in Iraq

On February 10, during Turkey's military operation "Claw-Eagle-2" against PKK Kurdish militants in the northern Gara region of Iraq, Turkish soldiers Corporal Harun Turhan and Captain Burak Joşkun were killed. Four more wounded soldiers were transported to a military hospital, reports Razm.info.

The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced the casualties, as reported by the Hurriyet news agency.

The day before, a journalist had asked Iraqi Kurdistan's Prime Minister Masrour Barzani during a press conference whether Turkey's action violated their territorial sovereignty, given that the military operation is effectively taking place in Kurdistan's territory. In response, Barzani stated, "Iraq's sovereignty is being violated by many, not just one side… If the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) had respected Kurdistan's sovereignty from the very beginning, Turkey would not have to attack now, and unfortunately, our people would not have to bear the consequences… The territorial sovereignty of any country should be respected by all sides; unfortunately, violations of this sovereignty have occurred and continue in several areas. We certainly want Iraq's and Kurdistan's sovereignty to be respected, but that must be done by all sides, not just one."

With this statement, Barzani can be seen to further legitimize Turkey's unlawful actions in northern Iraq, considering that relations with Turkey hold strategic and economic significance for the Kurds.