US fails to account for downed PKK helicopter in Iraq | Daily Sabah – Daily Sabah
A recent incident has revealed the extent of the attempts to make the PKK terrorist organization grow beyond Turkish borders.
On March 15, a helicopter crashed in Iraqs Duhok region. Shortly after the incident, the counterterrorism force of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq announced that the helicopter carrying nine was a single chopper, a Eurocopter AS350 model designed and manufactured in France.
So far, everything seemed like a typical aircraft crash, until it was revealed that some of the victims who died in the accident were "high-ranking" PKK terrorists.
According to the statement by the PKK regarding the incident, one of the pilots was Sherfan Kobani, a cousin of the PKK's Syrian wing YPGs top commander Ferhat Abdi ahin (code-named Mazloum Kobani). Apparently, the terrorists trained and supported by the United States in Syria had somehow captured the helicopter and learned to fly it. Furthermore, the PKK/YPG stated that not one but two helicopters carrying PKK members had crashed in the region.
Of course, after this grave incident, eyes turned to the U.S., which is the protector of the PKK/YPG. Two questions were crucial: Who did these helicopters belong to? Who put them at the service of a terrorist organization?
On a question, Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder insisted that the U.S. did not give pilot training to the PKK/YPG. "As far as I know, we do not provide helicopter piloting training."
It is useful to highlight the "as far as I know" part here.
France, the manufacturer of the helicopter, applied a similar "lay to the dead" tactic. Anadolu Agency (AA) recently asked the French Foreign Ministry, who owned the AS350 model helicopter manufactured by French Airbus Helicopters: "The serial number of the helicopter appears in the images reflected in the press. So, do the French need to know to whom this helicopter was sold to?
As a response, the spokesperson of the French ministry said: "We have no comment.
Of course, after these evasive statements, eyes were once again turned to the KRG. The KRG's anti-terrorism unit has issued another statement regarding the helicopter on its official Facebook page. The statement noted that these helicopters were flying between the northern part of Syria and the Iraqi city of Sulaymaniyah and that the official institutions in the KRG were not informed about this issue.
There are plenty of allegations floating around. Some argue that the helicopter was given by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) political party, while others claim that the second downed helicopter was kept a secret. However, there is the gospel truth and journalists working abroad do not give up on the issue. The evasive answers given by the U.S. officials at news conferences, in particular, once again reveal the seriousness of the situation.
Finally, the following dialogue between a TRT World reporter and a Pentagon spokesperson shows how stuck Washington actually is in supporting the PKK.
"I have a hard time understanding. Didn't you know about helicopters that take off from the ground, which is a U.S. base with 1,000 soldiers? reporter Yunus Paksoy asked, to which Ryder said "We weren't involved, adding that further questions about the incident should be directed to the PKK/YPG.
Upon that answer, Paksoy asked whether the U.S. had any information on the issue.
"We weren't involved. I choose my words specifically, Ryder replied.
After this scandal, which broke out just a few days after the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) officials visited the PKK/YPG, the statements of the U.S. remain "desperate," so to speak.
Let the parties try to cover up this issue as much as they want, or let the questions suffocate. I am confident that Turkish intelligence will shed light on this dark incident down to every detail with its evidence.
See the original post:
US fails to account for downed PKK helicopter in Iraq | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah
- Iraq aims to select new PM as US warns of Iran-backed threats, IRGC-QF head visits - Foundation for Defense of Democracies - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Saudi Arabia and Iraq Are Caught in a Hidden War Within the War - WSJ - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- A long-shuttered Iraq-Syria border crossing reopens for the first time in more than a decade - AP News - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Iraq in the Vice - International Crisis Group - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- IEA calls for Iraq-Turkey pipeline to bypass Hormuz and boost Europes energy security - investingLive - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Iraq Shiite alliance names Bassem al-Badry as PM nominee - The Times of Israel - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Iraq aims to select new PM as US warns of Iran-backed threats, IRGC-QF head visits - Long War Journal - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Turkey Joins UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, And Other Middle Eastern Nations In Uniting For Tourism Recovery, Despite A Notable Drop... - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- US urges contractor to evacuate workers from Kuwait and Iraq over worries of Iran-backed attacks - The Guardian - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- US halts security ties, dollar flows to Iraq in pressure over militias - middle-east-online.com - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Driven by the pressures of war, Iran gives its field commanders more power over militias in Iraq - AccessWDUN - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Turkey confronts legacy of ISIS expansion in Syria and Iraq - The Arab Weekly - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Iraq says oil exports to resume from all fields within days, state news agency - Reuters - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- US increases pressure on Iraq by halting security ties and cash flow - Iraqi News - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- New pipeline between Iraq and Turkey is good news for Europe - ioplus.nl - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Iraq reopens Rabia border crossing to ease fuel shipments through Syria - The National - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Iraq's security and stability should not be taken for granted - The National - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- US halts Iraq financing and security ties pending formation of acceptable government - Harici - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Syria, Iraq reopen Rabia crossing after nearly 13 years of closure - Xinhua - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- How to follow Aymen Hussein at the World Cup 2026: Iraq tickets, information & more - Goal.com - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Saudi Arabia and Iraq Drift Toward a Shadow War of Drones and Denial Across the Gulf - Sri Lanka Guardian - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Driven by the pressures of war, Iran gives its field commanders more power over militias in Iraq - The Independent - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- U.S. tells Americans to leave Iraq ''immediately'' amid rising security threats - Kathimerini.com.cy - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Iraq Shiite Bloc meets on PM pick amid US pressure and Iran role - Iraqi News - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Iraq reopens Rabia border crossing with Syria after years of hiatus - Latest news from Azerbaijan - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Syria reopens key border crossing with Iraq after 13-year closure - Anadolu Ajans - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Iran says Iraq exempt from any Strait of Hormuz restrictions - Reuters - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Iran Clears Iraq to Use Strait of Hormuz - wsj.com - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Iraq War Vet Dem Rep.: The longer the war goes on, the more leverage Iran has - MS NOW - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- U.S. tells Americans in Iraq to leave immediately amid threat from Iran-backed militias - NBC News - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Iran-backed militias are destroying Iraq. Baghdad must take them on. - Atlantic Council - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- American journalist abducted in Iraq had just trained on what to do in case she was kidnapped: Colleague - ABC News - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Americans in Iraq warned to leave 'now' amid threats of imminent attacks - NBC News - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- In Iran, Iraq and the U.S., Women Speak Out Against State Repression - Ms. Magazine - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- New Iraq report urges stronger action to protect Christians and other religious minorities - christiantoday.com - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Drone strikes signal escalating threat to Iraqi oil sector - Iraq Oil Report - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- 21 games later: Iraq back at the World Cup after epic qualifying campaign - The Guardian - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Middle East Conflict: Tensions spill over to Iraq, with residential areas and public infrastructure hit by drone attacks - news.cgtn.com - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Iraq shuts key trade crossing with southern Iran after airstrikes near border post - The Times of Israel - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Iraq closes southern border crossing with Iran following deadly strike - China Daily - Global Edition - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Ohio National Guard pilot killed in Iraq to be buried Friday - FOX19 | Cincinnati - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- America is about to hand Iraq to Iran again - Washington Examiner - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Freelance journalist from southern Wisconsin kidnapped in Iraq - WKOW - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- US Embassy in Iraq warns Americans to leave now as Middle East strikes intensify - The Hill - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Iran: Iraq to be exempt from any Hormuz restrictions - Breakingthenews.net - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Iraq weather update: Clear skies south, rain and thunder in the north - Iraqi News - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Iran eases transit restrictions for Iraq, but US-Iran ceasefire odds drop - cryptobriefing.com - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- CAIR Calls for Release of Wisconsin Journalist Shelly Kittleson Kidnapped in Iraq - CAIR - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Iraq War pilots among military experts enabling first crewed moon mission in more than 50 years - Stars and Stripes - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Iraqi Resistance Fighter Carry 19 Anti-US Ops Across Iraq - WION - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Deadly airstrike shuts Iraq's Shalamcheh crossing with Iran - Trkiye Today - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Iraq's World Cup qualification 'one of the toughest jobs in the world' - Arnold - espn.com - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- Alive or not? Mojtaba Khamenei resurfaces with message to Iraq after Trump claim - India Today - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- Iraq one step from first World Cup in 40 years after overcoming travel problems - MSN - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- Latest message purportedly from Irans new supreme leader thanks Iraq for war support - The Times of Israel - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- Khamenei Commends Iraq for Standing with Iran in War Against US, Israel - Caspian Post - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- Rene Meulensteen: Qualifying for a World Cup is an opportunity to change the perception of Iraq - The Athletic - The New York Times - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- Bolivias youthful reinvention takes them to brink of World Cup, but Iraq have cause to believe - The Athletic - The New York Times - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- U.S. Policy in Iraq Deepens Its Crises Rather than Resolving Them - Middle East Forum - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- The Long Shadow of the Iran-Iraq War - newlinesmag.com - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- Iranians at the border crossing into Iraq urge the US to end the war - The Lufkin Daily News - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- U.S. Tells Citizens to Leave Iraq After Second Attack on Embassy - The New York Times - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- Sister recounts relentless fight to free sibling held captive in Iraq for 903 days - CBS News - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- AP reports: Iranians at border crossing into Iraq urge US to end the war - Yahoo - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- Mojtaba Khamenei Breaks Silence After Trump Question His Absence; Thanks Iraq For Supporting In War - The Times of India - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- Three Ohio airmen killed in crash over Iraq to be returned to Columbus - WLWT - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- Irans IRGC threatens to strike American universities in Iraq - Iraqi News - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- Excavations at Alexander the Great's rediscovered city in Iraq postponed due to war - The Art Newspaper - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- Exiled Iranian Kurds in Iraq say they will return only if Iran's theocracy falls - PBS - March 22nd, 2026 [March 22nd, 2026]
- Nato relocates personnel from Iraq mission to Europe amid conflict in Middle East as it happened - The Guardian - March 22nd, 2026 [March 22nd, 2026]
- Kurds in northern Iraq celebrate the new year festival of Nowruz, in photos - AP News - March 22nd, 2026 [March 22nd, 2026]
- Irans proxy militias in Iraq blast open a new front in war against US - The Jerusalem Post - March 22nd, 2026 [March 22nd, 2026]
- From the archives: Airmen at Bashur Airfield, Iraq - Stars and Stripes - March 22nd, 2026 [March 22nd, 2026]
- A Look Back at the U.S.-led Invasion of Iraq, 23 Years On - PBS - March 22nd, 2026 [March 22nd, 2026]
- NATO says it is 'adjusting' mission in Iraq after report of withdrawal of personnel - Reuters - March 22nd, 2026 [March 22nd, 2026]
- Iraq declares force majeure on foreign-operated oil fields over Hormuz disruption, sources say - Middle East Eye - March 22nd, 2026 [March 22nd, 2026]
- Fire reported after attack near US military base in northern Iraq - Anadolu Ajans - March 22nd, 2026 [March 22nd, 2026]
- Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah says it will temporarily suspend attacks on US embassy with conditions - Reuters - March 22nd, 2026 [March 22nd, 2026]
- Father of 3 deployed less than week among 6 airmen killed in plane crash in Iraq - NBC 6 South Florida - March 22nd, 2026 [March 22nd, 2026]
- Iraq Unable to Control Armed Militias, Kurdish Official Warns, Citing Hundreds of Attacks - Kurdistan24 - March 22nd, 2026 [March 22nd, 2026]