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SDF says nine members killed in crash of two helicopters in Kurdistan Region

PM:07:38:17/03/2023

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SULAIMANI — Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on Friday (March 17) two helicopters carrying members of the group crashed in the Kurdistan Region on Wednesday evening, killing nine SDF fighters.

The SDF said in a statement the helicopters were headed toward Sulaimani and crashed due to poor weather conditions.

They also announced the commander of the SDF Anti-Terror Units (YAT), Shervan Kobani, was among those killed in the crash.

The SDF said their members were traveling to Sulaimani to "exchange security and military expertise.”

Farhad Shami, the head of the SDF media center, told NRT the Syrian Democratic Forces have begun negotiations with the Kurdistan Regional Government to return the victims’ bodies.

News of the crash of one helicopter broke on Wednesday evening when Duhok Governor Ali Tatar reported the incident in a press conference.

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) denied reports their members had died in a helicopter crash after the Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Directorate reported the helicopter has been carrying PKK members.

(NRT Digital Media)