3 replies to this topic

[Athgar]

http://www.juancole.com/

According to Turkish sources, hundreds of Turkish troops crossed into Iraqi Kurdistan on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning in hot pursuit of Kurdish terrorists. There was some skepticism about whether this incident actually occurred, and it was both affirmed and denied by various Turkish sources in the course of the day. MSNBC showed footage of the incursion, but I don't know if that was stock footage or if it showed today's events accurately (shouldn't they label these things?). A US military spokesman in Baghdad could not confirm the border incursion but said "we are very concerned." As well he should be.

I researched it more, and found that apparently Turkey has been massing troops along their border to Iraq.

http://www.washingto...7053100549.html

By SELCAN HACAOGLU
The Associated Press
Thursday, May 31, 2007; 3:18 PM


ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkey's top general said Thursday his army _ which has been massing troops on the border with Iraq _ was prepared to attack separatist Kurdish guerrillas in a cross-border offensive.

Gen. Yasar Buyukanit said the military was ready and awaiting government orders for an incursion, putting pressure on the government to support an offensive that risks straining ties with the United States and Europe and raising tensions with Iraqi Kurds.

"As soldiers, we are ready," Buyukanit said at an international security conference in Istanbul.

So far noone really know what is going on, but if it indeed is a turkish force operating in the northern Iraq, the consequences could be quite serious.

[wilmet]

the turkish PM has apparently denied that turkish troops crossed the border

Turkey has denied a report that it has sent hundreds of troops into northern Iraq to root out Kurdish rebels.

The Associated Press report, quoting Turkish security officials and an Iraqi Kurdish official, said Turkish troops had carried out a cross-border "hot pursuit" raid on Wednesday.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated on Wednesday that parliament's approval would be required for such an operation.

Turkey tightens control near Iraq (BBC news)

would be a strange situation if they did send troops into Iraq, how would the americans react?

[Soul]

how would the americans react?

Probably confused at first.

[duke_Qa]

the way i see it is that turkey would rather strike first at the kurds in Iraq, so that they don't have to worry about an US-backed creation of a Kurdistan which would take like 1/3 of their territory.

naturally, if the Turks attack the Kurds in Iraq, they might get an counter-attack from the US on them, and then they would perhaps make a new country. but its unlikely as i heavily doubt the US would like to try to split Iraq into smaller pieces.