Iraqi Air Defense Shoots Down Turkish Drone Over Kirkuk

Iraqi air defenses shot down a Turkish drone in Kirkuk, raising concerns amid regional tensions. The drone crashed on a civilian house but caused only material damage. The incident comes amid strained relations and ongoing military operations involving Turkey and the PKK in northern Iraq.

Early Thursday morning, Iraqi air defenses intercepted and downed a Turkish drone over Kirkuk, according to military officials. This incident comes at a time when the two nations are working to strengthen economic and security ties, causing concern due to the already volatile regional security scenario.

Brigadier General Abdul Salam, deputy commander of air defense, informed reporters that the drone crossed into Iraqi airspace from Sulaymaniyah and was subsequently shot down in the Chiman area of Kirkuk. The wreckage confirmed it was a Turkish drone. The Iraqi air force issued a warning before taking it down, and the drone crash-landed on a civilian residence, resulting in material damage but no casualties.

Kirkuk, a city of strategic significance with a diverse ethnic and religious population, has frequently been at the center of political and military conflict. Turkey conducts military strikes in Syria and Iraq targeting the PKK, a Kurdish separatist group. This action has escalated tensions, with Baghdad condemning these strikes as violations of its sovereignty. Recently, two Kurdish journalists were killed in a suspected Turkish airstrike, sparking protests.

(With inputs from agencies.)