A Turkish T129 ATAK attack helicopter has been shot down by YPG’s anti-aircraft fire in Kırıkhan district in the southeastern province of Hatay, killing two soldiers.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has confirmed the incident while speaking in Istanbul on Feb. 10.
“[The perpetrators] will pay a heavy price [for downing the Turkish helicopter],” Erdogan said, speaking at a ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party’s provincial meeting.
“Of course, all these will happen. We’re at war,” Erdoğan said.
More: Syria: New Turkish T-129 ATAK helicopters were used in the west of Afrin
Two soldiers were killed in the incident in which one of the two ATAK helicopters was downed, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım told journalists following Erdoğan’s statements on the same day.
More: Turkish Armed Forces receives the 20th T129 ATAK helicopter
#Pt. Several #TSK choppers were operating in #Rajo region. The T-129 Atak helicopter hit is seen at 0:12 before crashing, killing both pilots. Video from #OliveBranch fighters. pic.twitter.com/n9UYhfdKo8
— Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) 10 February 2018
Operation Olive Branch was launched by Turkey on Jan. 20 to remove the PKK/PYD/YPG/KCK members and Daesh militants from Afrin in northwestern Syria.
Turkish Armed Forces also confirmed the incident and the deaths, saying the military helicopter had ‘crashed.’
The TAI/AgustaWestland T129 ATAK is a twin-engine, tandem seat, multi-role, all