Iraqi military officials reported that Iraqi air defenses shot down a Turkish drone on Thursday morning over the northern city of Kirkuk. The incident occurs as Iraq and Turkey work to strengthen economic and security ties, raising concerns about the already volatile situation in the region.
Brig. Gen. Abdul Salam, the deputy commander of air defense, stated that the drone entered Iraqi airspace from the direction of Sulaymaniyah and was shot down by the Iraqi air force in the Chiman area of Kirkuk. According to a statement from the Iraqi air force, the drone was issued a warning according to protocol before being downed. The drone crashed into a civilian house, causing material damage but no casualties.
The Iraqi military confirmed that an inspection of the wreckage identified the drone as Turkish. Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Oncu Keceli said that Turkish and Iraqi authorities are coordinating to investigate the incident. Keceli emphasized Turkey’s commitment to combating terrorism and noted the growing cooperation between Turkey and Iraq against groups like the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Turkey considers a terrorist organization.
Witnesses reported seeing the drone spiraling out of control before it crashed. Security forces quickly cordoned off the area, and no significant property damage or casualties were reported.
Kirkuk, a city of strategic importance with a diverse ethnic and religious population, has long been a focal point for political and military conflict. Turkey frequently conducts strikes in Iraq and Syria targeting the PKK, which has bases in northern Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region.
In a statement on social media, Keceli acknowledged the incident and highlighted the strengthened cooperation between Turkey and Iraq against terrorism, including Iraq’s recent decision to list the PKK as a banned organization. He also stressed the commitment of both countries to achieving concrete results in their efforts to counter terrorism.
Baghdad has criticized Turkey’s strikes as violations of Iraqi sovereignty but has recently taken a more assertive stance against the PKK. This incident follows a reported Turkish airstrike last week that killed two female journalists in northern Iraq, sparking protests.