Turkey Signals Possible Military Action Against Kurds in Iraq

[Nambe]

ANKARA

The Turkish government hinted Sept. 1 that it may send troops into Iraq to fight Turkish Kurd rebels there.

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul told reporters here that Turkey would do “whatever its security required.”

“The United States is not yet in a position to launch a military operation against the PKK,” Gul said in an apparent sign of growing Turkish impatience with the United States. “We shall not proceed by relying on another country. We know how to deal with our enemy.” ..

Despite repeated assurances to Ankara, the United States, the occupying power in Iraq, has not proposed any military offensive against the PKK. U.S. officials have said they plan no such military action in the near future.

Some 30 Turkish security forces personnel have been killed since June, when the PKK ended its unilateral, five-year cease-fire with Turkey.

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[BayouBengal07]

1. Uh Oh

Turkey vowed earlier this year to invade Iraq if the Kurds got too uppity (they have to deal with a large Kurdish minority that could break away with a new "Kurdistan"). The Kurds have been operating virtually their own state in the no fly zone since 1991, but Turkey has always been weary of their Kurds. So much so that they brutally supress them and subjugate thir human rights on occasion.

[slojim240]

2. Now they are going hate us for "their freedom."

the blowback for the Iraqi invasion is just beginning.

[TroubleMan]

3. If we attack Iran, it would be the perfect time for them to attack

the Kurds.

IMHO, the Kurds should have their own country, and Turkey should let all the Kurds who want to move there move. Then Turkey wouldn't have to bitch about it anymore.

It'll never happen though, we'll (the US) never give up the oil fields in northern Iraq.

[are_we_united_yet]

5. Thanks George. Great job.

(Thought he was holding a banana)

[struggle4progress]

4. Neocon policy has created a long term diplomatic nightmare. eom