Turkish Army in Iraq ?

[WRW]

Turkish forces drive into northern Iraq to destroy Kurdish PKK rebel bases in Iraqi Kurdistan

 

this is according to Debka

 

 

does anyone know what this is about - the operation itself is of only curiosity interest to me but am soemwhat concern about possible retaliation etc

[Mistral]

From what I hear over here they are still operating within their borders but are making statements of the type "we will follow them in Northern Iraq next".

[LeoTanker]

From what I hear over here they are still operating within their borders but are making statements of the type "we will follow them in Northern Iraq next".

 

Would be interesting to see the US response to a souch a move... The interests of Turkey and US clearly conflicts with each other in Iraq.

[BansheeOne]

Today's local paper reports Turkish forces advanced into Iraq repeatedly during the major offensive against PKK since the weekend. Earlier this week the government handed a note to the Iraqi ambassador demanding that Iraq interdicts PKK activities on its territory, get the border under control and outlaw political groups linked to PKK, or face economic sanctions and military intervention.

[Guest JamesG123]

Would be interesting to see the US response to a souch a move...

Pretend it didn't happen?

The interests of Turkey and US clearly conflicts with each other in Iraq.

Not really. The US is just not in a position to do anything about it. They need the Turks and have defense alliances with them.

They need the Kurds to keep Iraq from coming apart.

 

If the Turks do go over the top and start a full shooting war with the Kurds (which is likely if they go after the PKK), then it will be the one of many "worst case scenarios" becoming reality.

Edited April 12, 2007 by JamesG123

[Archie Pellagio]

Whats more surprising is that its taken this long.

Surely nobody still believes that a lack of aid-bribery and 'muslim sensibilities' were the reason for Turkey's non-involvment and obstruction to OIF in 2003?

[Colin]

I am sure the US have played a long game of go-between trying to keep each side from slitting the others throat, it's such a shame, if the Kurds and the Turks settled their differances it could have a profound effect on the region.

 

The kurds need to restain their side and the Turks need to stop harassing their Kurdish population.

[Sardaukar]

Turkey did cross-border raids against PKK also when Saddam Hussein was in power. I just don't remember if Turkey had permission to do it then or not..but apparently Saddam & rest were not bothered about it. It was quite regular too.

[Archie Pellagio]

Turkey did cross-border raids against PKK also when Saddam Hussein was in power. I just don't remember if Turkey had permission to do it then or not..but apparently Saddam & rest were not bothered about it. It was quite regular too.

 

Back then it wasn't a problem for Saddam because they were just saving him the hassle of doing it himself.

 

Today the kurds are just about the only group in iraq not completely opposed to the western presence...