Wednesday, July 04, 2007
U.S. warns Turkey against attacking northern Iraq
Security, Region
(AFP) - The US military warned Turkey Tuesday against destabilizing northern Iraq by carrying out a threatened cross-border raid on Kurdish rebels. The US armed forces have a "great relationship with the military of Turkey," said Brigadier General Perry Wiggins, deputy director for operations of the Pentagon's Joint Staff.
But he cautioned: "As the secretary of defense (Robert Gates) has said, any disruption up in northern Iraq would not be helpful at this time." Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said Friday his country had drawn up plans for an eventual incursion into neighboring northern Iraq to pursue rebels of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) taking refuge there.
Gul warned that Turkey would activate its plans if the Iraqi authorities or the United States failed to curb the PKK, which is listed as a terror organization by both Ankara and Washington. "Unfortunately, the level of cooperation by the United States is below our expectations," he said in remarks published by the Radikal daily.
Army chief Yasar Buyukanit has long been calling for a strike against PKK rebels based in Kurdish-run northern Iraq where, Turkey says, the PKK enjoys free movement and obtains arms and explosives for attacks on its soil. But US officials, fearful of havoc in the only part of Iraq that has enjoyed relative calm, are anxious to forestall any Turkish intervention.
"We hope there is no unilateral military action taken on the other side of the Iraqi border," Gates said on June 3. On June 18, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice assured Ankara that the United States and Iraq were against any "terrorist" actions conducted from Iraqi territory against Turkey.
But he cautioned: "As the secretary of defense (Robert Gates) has said, any disruption up in northern Iraq would not be helpful at this time." Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said Friday his country had drawn up plans for an eventual incursion into neighboring northern Iraq to pursue rebels of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) taking refuge there.
Gul warned that Turkey would activate its plans if the Iraqi authorities or the United States failed to curb the PKK, which is listed as a terror organization by both Ankara and Washington. "Unfortunately, the level of cooperation by the United States is below our expectations," he said in remarks published by the Radikal daily.
Army chief Yasar Buyukanit has long been calling for a strike against PKK rebels based in Kurdish-run northern Iraq where, Turkey says, the PKK enjoys free movement and obtains arms and explosives for attacks on its soil. But US officials, fearful of havoc in the only part of Iraq that has enjoyed relative calm, are anxious to forestall any Turkish intervention.
"We hope there is no unilateral military action taken on the other side of the Iraqi border," Gates said on June 3. On June 18, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice assured Ankara that the United States and Iraq were against any "terrorist" actions conducted from Iraqi territory against Turkey.
Labels: Abdullah Gul, Brigadier General Perry Wiggins, Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, PKK, Robert Gates, Turkey, U.S.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Turkish top general ready for northern Iraq strike
Region
(AP) - Turkey's top general said Thursday the military was ready to stage a cross-border offensive to fight Kurdish guerrillas in Iraq and that he already had sought government approval to mount military action. Earlier Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has pledged his support for any military decision to stage an incursion into Iraq, said the army had not yet asked parliament for permission.
But Gen. Yasar Buyukanit said he had asked for approval during a news conference on April 12, when he said "an operation into Iraq is necessary." "We have told both Turkey and the world on April 12 that as soldiers, we are ready," Buyukanit said Thursday. Buyukanit's remarks appeared to put Erdogan's government under pressure to seek approval from parliament to send soldiers into Iraq to fight separatist Kurdish guerrillas. The rebels have long used northern Iraq as a base in their campaign for self-rule in southeast Turkey.
The United States opposes any unilateral Turkish military action, fearing it could destabilize northern Iraq - the calmest part of the country. Massoud Barzani, the leader of the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq, also strongly opposes a Turkish incursion and has threatened to confront Turkish soldiers if they enter northern Iraq.
Military trucks hauled more tanks and guns to the border area Thursday, local reporters said. For weeks, TV stations have broadcast images of military trucks rumbling along the remote border, and trains transferring tanks and guns to bolster an already formidable force in the area.
But Gen. Yasar Buyukanit said he had asked for approval during a news conference on April 12, when he said "an operation into Iraq is necessary." "We have told both Turkey and the world on April 12 that as soldiers, we are ready," Buyukanit said Thursday. Buyukanit's remarks appeared to put Erdogan's government under pressure to seek approval from parliament to send soldiers into Iraq to fight separatist Kurdish guerrillas. The rebels have long used northern Iraq as a base in their campaign for self-rule in southeast Turkey.
The United States opposes any unilateral Turkish military action, fearing it could destabilize northern Iraq - the calmest part of the country. Massoud Barzani, the leader of the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq, also strongly opposes a Turkish incursion and has threatened to confront Turkish soldiers if they enter northern Iraq.
Military trucks hauled more tanks and guns to the border area Thursday, local reporters said. For weeks, TV stations have broadcast images of military trucks rumbling along the remote border, and trains transferring tanks and guns to bolster an already formidable force in the area.
Labels: Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, PKK, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey
Monday, April 23, 2007
Turkish forces kill 18 PKK militants
Security, Kurdistan, Turkey
(Xinhua) -- Turkish military announced in a statement on Saturday that it killed 18 militants of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) and captured six others in last week's operations against the PKK. The statement released by The Turkish General Staff said that seven PKK members also surrendered to the Turkish security forces in the region.
The operations staged by the Turkish security forces in fight against the PKK have been continuing in eastern and southeastern Turkey since beginning of this spring. On April 12, Turkey's Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit even said a military operation might be launched to crack down on the PKK in northern Iraq.
PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, NATO and the European Union, launched an armed campaign for an ethnic homeland in the mainly Kurdish southeastern Turkey in 1984, sparking decades of strife that has claimed more than 30,000 lives.
The operations staged by the Turkish security forces in fight against the PKK have been continuing in eastern and southeastern Turkey since beginning of this spring. On April 12, Turkey's Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit even said a military operation might be launched to crack down on the PKK in northern Iraq.
PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, NATO and the European Union, launched an armed campaign for an ethnic homeland in the mainly Kurdish southeastern Turkey in 1984, sparking decades of strife that has claimed more than 30,000 lives.
COMMENT: The Turkish, Kurdish and PKK issue has escalated over the last few months. The deaths of the PKK members is likely to lead to further attacks by the PKK on Turkey. Ankara says the PKK use bases in northern Iraq to launch attacks into southern Turkey. Turkey is growing angry over the failure of U.S. and Iraqi forces to curb the attacks. Any Turkish military incursion into northern Iraq would put the already over-stretched U.S. military in the middle of a fight between two crucial partners, and Washington has urged Turkish restraint. A U.S. official blamed Kurdish authorities in northern Iraq for raising tensions with neighboring Turkey recently. The U.S. is mediating in talks between the Iraqis and Turks over the feud. COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, PKK, Turkish forces
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
PKK warns Turkey to hold talks or rebels will break cease fire
Security, Turkey
(AP) - A Kurdish rebel commander warned Turkey Monday that if it does not negotiate with the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, the group will stop abiding by a cease fire it declared unilaterally and resume cross-border attacks. Haval Jangawer, a PKK commander speaking by telephone from Qandil Mountains on the border with Turkey, said Iraq's northern neighbor has massed about 60 tanks, artillery pieces and thousands of soldiers near the border with Iraq.
His comments came amid fighting between Turkish troops and PKK fighters, as well as increasing tensions between Turkey and Iraq's Kurds who recently warned their northern neighbor not to interfere in Iraq's affairs or face retaliation from the PKK. Last week, Turkish chief of the armed forces Gen. Yasar Buyukanit said "an operation into Iraq is necessary." He said the military was conducting several "large scale" offensives against separatist Kurdish rebels in the predominantly Kurdish southeastern region. The announcement comes as Turkey has been intensifying pressure on Iraq and the United States to crack down on the rebels who launch raids from bases in northern Iraq.
Turkish troops were not expected to cross the border, although they did on several occasions before the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. Jangawer said Turkey "will either have to accept our unilateral cease-fire and solve the Kurdish problem through negotiations or we will start fighting again." PKK fighters have held a cease-fire since Oct.1, but the Turkey military has ignored it, vowing to continue fighting until all rebels are killed or surrender.
Labels: Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, Haval Jangawer, Kurdistan, Kurdistan Workers Party, PKK, Turkey
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Turkish Army to deliver 'pinpoint' strikes against PKK bases
Security, Turkey
(AINA) - The Turkish military may start a three-month transborder operation against Kurdish separatists in northern Iraq, the weekly Tempo quoted the Army chief of staff as saying Friday. Gen. Yasr Buyukanit said Thursday it was necessary to carry out a military operation against Kurdish insurgents in northern Iraq.
He said the Turkish Army was currently conducting large-scale operations in different parts of southeast Turkey against the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), adding 13 Turkish servicemen had been killed in action against the separatists so far this year. According to the weekly, the Turkish Army is not planning to conduct large-scale operations in northern Iraq, but will deliver "pinpoint strikes" against PKK bases.
"Troops will be airlifted to operation areas for a day and after effectively engaging pre-planned targets, will be airlifted back to base," it said. The paper quoted sources in the Democratic Party of Kurdistan and military experts as saying that in the lead-up to the operation, the Turkish Army is planning to establish a "buffer zone" along the border with Iraq to prevent infiltration of Kurdish militants into Turkey.
A similar zone is to be set up on Iraqi territory. "An operation in North Iraq is imperative. It requires political will," General Yasr Buyukanit said Thursday, adding the Turkish Army had evidence the PKK plans to intensify terrorist activity in Turkey. He said terrorism is one of the principal threats to Turkey.
The Turkish chief of staff denied reports that a group of senior Army officers were plotting to overthrow the Tayyip Erdogan government. "We have no evidence confirming the media reports [about an imminent coup]," he said. Prime Minister Erdogan said Ankara insisted Iraq meet its demand to crack down on the Kurdish separatists based in northern Iraq.
The speakers of both the Iraqi Parliament and Iraq's Kurdistan assembly described a call by Turkey's top general for a cross-border military operation as a "dangerous escalation," warning Ankara against interfering in the country's affairs. The warning came as the European Commission urged Turkey and Iraq to settle differences peacefully.
He said the Turkish Army was currently conducting large-scale operations in different parts of southeast Turkey against the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), adding 13 Turkish servicemen had been killed in action against the separatists so far this year. According to the weekly, the Turkish Army is not planning to conduct large-scale operations in northern Iraq, but will deliver "pinpoint strikes" against PKK bases.
"Troops will be airlifted to operation areas for a day and after effectively engaging pre-planned targets, will be airlifted back to base," it said. The paper quoted sources in the Democratic Party of Kurdistan and military experts as saying that in the lead-up to the operation, the Turkish Army is planning to establish a "buffer zone" along the border with Iraq to prevent infiltration of Kurdish militants into Turkey.
A similar zone is to be set up on Iraqi territory. "An operation in North Iraq is imperative. It requires political will," General Yasr Buyukanit said Thursday, adding the Turkish Army had evidence the PKK plans to intensify terrorist activity in Turkey. He said terrorism is one of the principal threats to Turkey.
The Turkish chief of staff denied reports that a group of senior Army officers were plotting to overthrow the Tayyip Erdogan government. "We have no evidence confirming the media reports [about an imminent coup]," he said. Prime Minister Erdogan said Ankara insisted Iraq meet its demand to crack down on the Kurdish separatists based in northern Iraq.
The speakers of both the Iraqi Parliament and Iraq's Kurdistan assembly described a call by Turkey's top general for a cross-border military operation as a "dangerous escalation," warning Ankara against interfering in the country's affairs. The warning came as the European Commission urged Turkey and Iraq to settle differences peacefully.
Labels: EU, Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, Iraqi parliament, PKK, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey
Friday, April 13, 2007
Turkish general pushes for approval for northern Iraq incursion
Security, Turkey
(AP) - Turkey's military, which began staging several "large-scale" attacks on separatist Kurdish rebels in the country's southeast, asked the government Thursday for approval to launch a cross-border incursion into northern Iraq. "An operation into Iraq is necessary," Gen. Yasar Buyukanit said, pushing for permission to raid northern Iraq to fight Kurdish guerrillas despite strong opposition from the United States and Iraq against such unilateral action.
The call raises the pressure on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to take a harder line against Kurdish guerrillas and against the Kurdish leadership in northern Iraq, where the rebels are based and train. Buyukanit said the military already was moving against separatists in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeastern region bordering Iraq.
"There are several large-scale operations under way in several areas," Buyukanit told reporters. "Our aim is to prevent them from taking positions in the region with the coming of spring." He said the rebels generally intensify their attacks on Turkey as the snow melts, opening up mountain passes. Clashes already have killed 10 soldiers and 29 Kurdish guerrillas in recent fighting, Buyukanit said. The separatist conflict has left more than 37,000 people dead since 1984.
On Monday, the Turkish government demanded that U.S. and Iraqi officials crack down on guerrillas from the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, running their rebellion from hideouts in the predominantly Kurdish region of northern Iraq. "The PKK has huge freedom of movement in Iraq," Buyukanit said. "It has spread its roots in Iraq."
But Iraq's government is barely able to control its own cities. U.S. commanders, who are battling the Iraqi insurgency in the middle of the country, are stretched too thin to take on Turkish Kurds hiding in remote mountains near the frontier. Washington repeatedly has cautioned Turkey against staging a cross-border offensive, fearing that it could destabilize the region and antagonize Iraqi Kurds, who are allied with the U.S. However, Turkey has asserted its right to stage a cross-border offensive if Iraqi officials fail to clamp down on the guerrillas.
The call raises the pressure on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to take a harder line against Kurdish guerrillas and against the Kurdish leadership in northern Iraq, where the rebels are based and train. Buyukanit said the military already was moving against separatists in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeastern region bordering Iraq.
"There are several large-scale operations under way in several areas," Buyukanit told reporters. "Our aim is to prevent them from taking positions in the region with the coming of spring." He said the rebels generally intensify their attacks on Turkey as the snow melts, opening up mountain passes. Clashes already have killed 10 soldiers and 29 Kurdish guerrillas in recent fighting, Buyukanit said. The separatist conflict has left more than 37,000 people dead since 1984.
On Monday, the Turkish government demanded that U.S. and Iraqi officials crack down on guerrillas from the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, running their rebellion from hideouts in the predominantly Kurdish region of northern Iraq. "The PKK has huge freedom of movement in Iraq," Buyukanit said. "It has spread its roots in Iraq."
But Iraq's government is barely able to control its own cities. U.S. commanders, who are battling the Iraqi insurgency in the middle of the country, are stretched too thin to take on Turkish Kurds hiding in remote mountains near the frontier. Washington repeatedly has cautioned Turkey against staging a cross-border offensive, fearing that it could destabilize the region and antagonize Iraqi Kurds, who are allied with the U.S. However, Turkey has asserted its right to stage a cross-border offensive if Iraqi officials fail to clamp down on the guerrillas.
Labels: Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, Kurdistan, Kurdistan Workers Party, PKK, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey
