Türkiye and Iran Coordinate Investigations Into Turkish Soldier’s Death After Suspected Gunfire From Iranian Side of Border

Türkiye and Iran are coordinating investigations into the death of a Turkish soldier who was shot near their shared border, with Ankara saying the fatal gunfire is believed to have originated from the Iranian side.

Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense said Thursday, November 5, that infantry private Yusuf Sait Ünlü was killed on October 31 while responding to an attempted illegal border crossing near the Engin Mayın Border Outpost in the Yüksekova district of Hakkari province.

The ministry said the soldier was struck by gunfire assessed to have come from Iranian territory. The circumstances of the shooting and the identity of those responsible remain under investigation.

Turkish authorities immediately launched judicial and administrative investigations. Officials from both countries met at the scene on November 3, while Iranian authorities also opened their own inquiry.

The Turkish Defense Ministry said the two countries were continuing to coordinate efforts to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

Ünlü was transported by helicopter to Hakkari State Hospital after being wounded but died despite medical treatment.