Turkey's military asked the government Thursday to approve attacks on Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq, signaling growing frustration over a lack of action against the guerrillas by Iraqi and U.S. forces. The military says up to 3,800 rebels are based just across the border in Iraq and that up to 2,300 operate inside Turkey. A recent surge in Kurdish attacks in southeastern Turkey has increased the pressure on Turkey's military to act.
Gen. Yasar Buyukanit aid the military already has launched operations against separatists in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeastern region bordering Iraq. "Our aim is to prevent them from taking positions in the region with the coming of spring," he said, adding the rebels generally intensify attacks as melting snow opens the mountain passes. Recent clashes have killed 10 soldiers and 29 Kurdish guerrillas.
Massoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdish autonomous region in Iraq, said recently that Iraqi Kurds would retaliate for any Turkish interference in northern Iraq by stirring up trouble in Turkey's southeast. |