ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A Turkish soldier was killed on Saturday after coming under fire while responding to a border-crossing incident in the southeastern province of Hakkari, near the Iranian border, Turkey's defense ministry announced.
“Our fellow soldier, Contracted Infantry Private Yusuf Sait Unlu, who was wounded by gunfire on October 31, 2026, while responding to a border-crossing incident in the Esendere area of Yuksekova district, Hakkari province, within the area of responsibility of the 7th Border Brigade Command, has died despite all medical efforts at Hakkari State Hospital, where he was transported by helicopter,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry did not say who opened fire or whether the shooting was linked to smuggling, militant activity or an attempted illegal border crossing.
Esendere (known as “Bajerga mezin” in Kurdish) lies along Turkey's mountainous border with Iran, where security forces regularly patrol to prevent illegal crossings and smuggling.
The border area has seen repeated security incidents involving armed groups, smugglers and Turkish security forces.
In June 2020, a Turkish soldier was killed and two others wounded by gunfire from the Iranian side of the border during a reconnaissance mission in Yuksekova (known as “Gever” in Kurdish) district.
Hakkari (known as “Colemerg” in Kurdish) province has also long been a flashpoint in Turkey's decades-long conflict with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). However, there is no indication that Saturday's shooting was linked to the group, which has been engaged in a renewed peace process with Ankara over the past two years.
The defense ministry, along with Turkish political parties and officials, offered condolences to the soldier's family and the Turkish Armed Forces.
