Syria gives backing to possible Turkish incursion into Iraq

[sabra]

Source: AFP

ANKARA (AFP) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday said he would support a Turkish incursion into northern Iraq against Kurdish rebels, as the parliament in Ankara met to vote for military action.

"We support the decisions the Turkish government has put on its agenda against terrorism and terrorist activities," Assad told reporters after talks with Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul. "We see this as Turkey's legitimate right."

He was speaking shortly before the Turkish parliament was expected to approve a government motion seeking authorisation for cross-border operations into neighbouring northern Iraq to pursue Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) rebels based there.

Turkey says some 3,500 PKK militants enjoy safe haven in autonomous Kurdish-held northern Iraq, which they use as a springboard for attacks on Turkish territory.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071017/wl_mideast_afp/turkeyiraqkurdsunrestsyria_071017170327

[Hydra]

1. cluster****! n/t

[Supersedeas]

9. was this really the aim of the Bush doctrine of pre-emp....instigation

[no_hypocrisy]

2. How many countries being involved does it take before it's an official "world war"?

[Hydra]

3. hmm

I would say 2 world superpowers. 3 makes a better party, but there's less left afterward :evilgrin:

[Skink]

4. So Kurdistan free of Saddam is not the peaceful nation we thought.

They make deals to sell their oil. Whats next Nukes?

[Didereaux]

5. It is to all bordering nations to have the Kurds activities curtailed....

Turkey and Iran both have active Kurdish Insurgent nee terrorist activity. Whereas Syrias interest in the affair is to limit the Kurdish territory in Iraq, particularly the huge oil fields on the southern and western edges of what is now controlled mostly by the Kurds. The US's policies have once again lead to strange-bedfellows, and now we have alienated a NATO ally, one which up until the Iraq invasion was very much following a 'westernization' path. Pres. Cheney has again miscalculated and his oil buddies as well as AIPAC interests are going to find themselves holding the bag. So much for the much vaunted strategic US presence.

It is to be hoped that when Turkey does invade the Iraq Kurdish provinces that the military leadership has the good sense to back their troops down the river, so to speak and avoid a really disasterous conflict with Turkish, Syrian and Iranian forces. Of course it gors without saying that the military should leave Blackwater and its cousins to 'hold the fort', they want action? That'll give them action!

[Javaman]

6. wow, this is turning out to be a lovely little outing now isn't it? oy. nt

[DavidDvorkin]

7. Iran surely doesn't object, either

Whether or not they say so publicly.

They all want to see the Kurds contained. Actually, they probably all want to see them eliminated, but they can't do that in the current climate.

[Barrett808]

8. Hey, maybe Turkey can put together its own "coalition of the willing"

Once Turkey is occupying N. Iraq, things will really start to calm down there.

[acmavm]

10. Ah Hell Bells, Erik Prince and his boys can whup these

Ay-rabs with one hand tied 'hind their backs. Right chimpy?

[lovuian]

11. Assad visited them today or yesterday

Syria has given them their support

if Turkey becomes Syria and Iran's ally thats a huge army they have and they know all NATO information

You could see this coming couldn't ya