A local commander and two fighters were in their vehicle in the Shingal area at around 0910 GMT when the drone strike hit them, the service said in a statement, Esta Media Network reported.

There has been a long-running Turkish campaign in Iraq and Syria against militants of the PKK and the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which are both regarded as terrorist groups by Ankara.

Turkey regularly carries out air strikes into northern Iraq and has sent commandos to support its offensives.

Reporter's code: 50101