Unidentified Drone Shot Down Over Iraq's Kirkuk

American army soldiers at the K1 Air Base northwest of Kirkuk in northern Iraq before a planned US pullout on March 29, 2020. (AFP)
American army soldiers at the K1 Air Base northwest of Kirkuk in northern Iraq before a planned US pullout on March 29, 2020. (AFP)
TT

Unidentified Drone Shot Down Over Iraq's Kirkuk

American army soldiers at the K1 Air Base northwest of Kirkuk in northern Iraq before a planned US pullout on March 29, 2020. (AFP)
American army soldiers at the K1 Air Base northwest of Kirkuk in northern Iraq before a planned US pullout on March 29, 2020. (AFP)

Iraq's air defenses shot down an unmanned drone on Thursday in the northern city of Kirkuk, two police sources told Reuters, triggering an investigation into the identity of the drone.
One Iraqi military colonel said on condition of anonymity that an initial investigation of the debris showed it was a Turkish military armed drone.
The drone fell in the center of Kirkuk, igniting a fire near some houses, but caused no casualties, police sources said, adding the blaze had been brought under control by firefighters.
There was no immediate response from Turkish authorities to a request for comment.



Body of Israeli Soldier Abducted on Oct. 7 Recovered, Military Says

Smoke rises following an Israeli air strike during a military operation in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, 28 August 2024. (EPA)
Smoke rises following an Israeli air strike during a military operation in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, 28 August 2024. (EPA)
TT

Body of Israeli Soldier Abducted on Oct. 7 Recovered, Military Says

Smoke rises following an Israeli air strike during a military operation in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, 28 August 2024. (EPA)
Smoke rises following an Israeli air strike during a military operation in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, 28 August 2024. (EPA)

The Israeli military said on Wednesday that the body of a soldier abducted by Gaza militants on October 7 was rescued and taken to Israel.

The military said the rescue operation took place overnight and that his name would not be published at the request of his family.

"The soldier fell during the October 7th massacre and he was taken hostage in the Gaza Strip," it said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the soldiers involved in the operation and said he would continue to exert every effort to bring back to Israel all "of the remaining hostages and bodies."

There are still 108 hostages remaining in Gaza being held by armed groups. Around a third of these are thought to have died, with the fate of the others unknown. The army has not confirmed how many are alive or dead.

Hamas and Israeli leaders are continuing talks through mediators in a push to secure a hostage deal and bring an end to 10-month old war.