An Iraqi military confirmed on Thursday that the Iraqi forces downed a Turkish Aksungur unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) near the oil-rich city of Kirkuk.
The Aksungur, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), is a medium-altitude, long-endurance drone designed for both surveillance and combat operations.
This incident comes at a delicate time, as the two neighboring countries share a lengthy border frequently used by the PKK group to infiltrate Türkiye. The downing of the drone follows a recent visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Iraq on April 22, which was seen as a turning point in improving the strained relations between Ankara and Baghdad, especially in their joint efforts to combat the PKK militants based in northern Iraq.
The semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) controls the mountainous region in northern Iraq where the PKK has established bases. Iraq has repeatedly voiced concerns over Ankara’s cross-border military operations, claiming they violate its sovereignty. Conversely, Ankara argues that these operations are essential for national security, aimed at neutralizing threats posed by the PKK.
#Erdogan must know, #Turkish Air Force can No longer rule the #Iraqi airspace. The shot down of a TAI Aksungur armed drone of the #Turkish Air Force by the #IraqiAirForce over #Kirkuk today delivered a strong message to dictator Erdogan. pic.twitter.com/gy5NjBWdw7
— Babak Taghvaee – The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) August 29, 2024
In light of the recent incident, Öncü Keçeli, a spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry, stated that Türkiye is coordinating closely with Iraq to clarify the circumstances surrounding the downing of the Aksungur drone. Keçeli emphasized the ongoing dialogue between the two nations, reaffirming their mutual commitment to the counterterrorism efforts.
He stressed that despite this setback, both nations are keen on continuing their collaborative efforts to address security challenges in the region.