Turkish soldier, 2 ASELSAN technicians killed in Qatar helicopter crash
In a statement, the ministry said that military cooperation and coordination activities between Turkey and Qatar continue uninterrupted under existing agreements.
Initial findings indicate that the helicopter, operated by the Qatari Armed Forces under the Qatar-Turkiye Combined Joint Force Command, went down due to a technical malfunction. Search and rescue operations recovered the wreckage and the bodies of those who lost their lives.
The crash claimed the lives of four Qatari Armed Forces personnel, one Turkish Armed Forces member, and two ASELSAN technicians. The exact cause of the incident will be determined after an investigation by Qatari authorities.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed condolences, praying for the souls of the fallen and extending sympathies to their families, the Turkish Armed Forces, ASELSAN, the Turkish nation, and the people of Qatar.
The crash occurred during training activities carried out under the Qatar-Turkey Combined Joint Force Command.
Regional Condolences
Following the accident, Gulf countries, along with Iraq, Jordan, and Syria, extended condolences to Turkey and Qatar. The foreign ministries of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, and Syria posted statements on social media platform X expressing sympathy and solidarity with both nations.
The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran beginning February 28, with Iran responding with repeated drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting U.S. military assets.
Source:AA
