Friday, September 14, 2007
Turkey plans to build border $3.2 bn. security barrier on Iraq border
Region
(KUNA) - Turkish Chief of General Staff General Yasar Buyukanit along with elite of experts are evaluating details of a project to erect a USD 3.2 billion concrete fence on its borders with Iraq to stop infiltration of Kurdish Workers Party's (PKK) rebels.
However, despite conflicting reports of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki's deal with Turkey in authorizing Turkish forces to pursue PKK rebels on Iraqi soils, a claim Al-Maliki has denied. Turkish News Agency (Anadolu) quoting military reports said preliminary examination of the borders area aims at building a concrete fence between Iraq and Turkey to stop infiltration operations.
Turkish sources said Buyukanit stressed during his last meeting with his staff on securing Turkish borders with Iraq. The Source also said the fence will be almost 473 kilometers long, divided into two parts, one is concrete and the second is an electronic monitoring one.
However, despite conflicting reports of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki's deal with Turkey in authorizing Turkish forces to pursue PKK rebels on Iraqi soils, a claim Al-Maliki has denied. Turkish News Agency (Anadolu) quoting military reports said preliminary examination of the borders area aims at building a concrete fence between Iraq and Turkey to stop infiltration operations.
Turkish sources said Buyukanit stressed during his last meeting with his staff on securing Turkish borders with Iraq. The Source also said the fence will be almost 473 kilometers long, divided into two parts, one is concrete and the second is an electronic monitoring one.
Labels: General Yasar Buyukanit, security fence, Turk-Iraqi border, Turkey
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
50,000 Turkish soldiers on Turk-Iraqi border
Security, Turkey, Kurdistan
(PanARMENIAN) - 50,000 Turkish soldiers are now concentrated at Turk-Iraqi border region of Sirnak. According to military sources a large operation by Turkish military forces aimed at PKK (Worker's Party of Kurdistan) terrorists in the provinces of Sirnak near the Iraqi border continues. Units of the Turkish military are fighting in the Cudi and Gabar mountains, as well as the Bestler-Dereler points near Sirnak. New positions have been staked out by Turkish armed forces near the border, taking the border into direct target in preparation for terrorists trying to cross over. While the transfer of soldiers and vehicles to the border area continues, as it has for 3 months now.
U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Ross Wilson stated the United States supports the Turkish military operation in its pursuit of PKK terrorists. "Turkey has been in a leader position for a long time in the fight against terror. It has faced terror on a high level for a long time. Turkey has lost 40 thousand lives fighting in the last years," Wilson stated speaking at an anti-terrorism conference held this week at the Swissotel in Istanbul.
Speaking in direct reference to the renewed efforts by Turkish security forces against PKK forces last week, Wilson said, "In recent weeks, the Turkish security forces began an open struggle against the PKK. The U.S. supports this struggle," Ross Wilson underlined, Hurriyet reports.
U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Ross Wilson stated the United States supports the Turkish military operation in its pursuit of PKK terrorists. "Turkey has been in a leader position for a long time in the fight against terror. It has faced terror on a high level for a long time. Turkey has lost 40 thousand lives fighting in the last years," Wilson stated speaking at an anti-terrorism conference held this week at the Swissotel in Istanbul.
Speaking in direct reference to the renewed efforts by Turkish security forces against PKK forces last week, Wilson said, "In recent weeks, the Turkish security forces began an open struggle against the PKK. The U.S. supports this struggle," Ross Wilson underlined, Hurriyet reports.
Labels: PKK, Sirnak province, Turk-Iraqi border, Turkish soldiers
