Published: April 12, 2007
Op-Ed Contributor
Crossfire War - Turkish Army Prepares to Invade Northern Iraq
By Willard Payne
Crossfire War - ANKARA - TEHRAN WATCH - West Asia Theatre: Ankara - Tehran - Riyadh - Damascus - Baghdad/London - Washington; TURKEY ARMY CHIEF REQUESTS ANKARA APPROVE ATTACKS ON KURDS IN NORTHERN IRAQ
Night Watch: ANKARA - In a massive indication as to the continued breakdown of London-Washington's ability to control events in Iraq, AKI reports the head of Turkey's army General Yasar Buyukanit, has requested Ankara approve plans for Turkish forces to attack Kurdish bases in northern Iraq that have been supporting Kurdish separatists groups in Turkey, principally the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK). He stated, "An operation into Iraq is necessary. PKK has huge freedom of movement in Iraq...It has spread its roots in Iraq." [
AKI]
The offensive will be an extension of the current large scale attacks Ankara is now conducting against PKK bases in Turkey's southeast, a war that has been going on for 20 years. Though London-Washington are opposed to such intervention the UK/US are powerless to prevent it. Ankara has been threatening to do this ever since Saddam's overthrow four years ago. There has been no real central government in Baghdad ever since. The Kurdish community in northern Iraq, with borders along both Turkey and Iran, have been an autonomous state ever since the occupation began and have even been flying their own flag.
Ankara's invasion will be a prelude to Tehran doing the same. Last year crossfirewar.com began to mention a build up of Iranian forces along Iraq's Kurdish border. The Kurdish community in Iran has long been opposed to Tehran's central government even before the rule of the Shah of Iran 1941-79. A wealthy, powerful Kurdish community in Iraq could easily continue to support Kurdish separatists groups in both Turkey - Iran.
Night Watch Information Service
www.crossfirewar.com
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