Turkish army launches ground incursion into Iraq

www.chinaview.cn 2008-02-22 17:20:43

    by Zheng Jinfa, Wen Yi

    ANKARA, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) --

Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) has launched a cross-border ground operation in fight against the banned Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) in the north of Iraq.

    This is the first cross-border ground operation of Turkey since the Turkish government gave the authority for the army to launch cross-border ground operations in fight against the PKK fighters in the north of Iraq last November.

    "Long-range weapons and Turkish Air Forces jets pounded targets between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on February 21 in order to neutralize members of the PKK stationed in north of Iraq and to destroy organizational infrastructure in the region," said a statement posted on the general staff website.

    According the statement, TSK launched a cross-border ground operation into north of Iraq as of 1900 p.m. (1700 GMT) on Thursday following this successful artillery bombardment.

    The ground operation is backed by Turkish Air Forces jets, the General Staff said.

    "Turkish Armed Forces, which paid significant attention to Iraq's territorial integrity and stability, will return to Turkey after it achieves the planned targets," the General Staff said.

    The Turkish military has launched several cross-border attacks to fight separatist PKK rebels, who use northern Iraq as a launch pad for attacks against Turkey.

    Private NTV television said Friday that 10,000 troops were taking part in the cross-border offensive, which follows periodic air raids on suspected hideouts of the PKK rebel group in Iraq. The Kurdish militants are fighting for autonomy in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast, and have carried out attacks on Turkish targets from bases in northern Iraq.

    The Turkish troops have entered 10 kilometers inside of the north of Iraq, added NTV.

    Turkish National Security Council (MGK) said Thursday that cross-border operations against the PKK would continue as long as the Turkish Armed Forces see them necessary.

    "The MGK reaffirmed its determination to maintain measures against the activities of the terrorist organization and its supporters aiming to harm public order, unity and solidarity, and peace and confidence," said a statement released after the MGK meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara.

    "Also the Council discussed measures taken by our security forces to preserve security and peace and order throughout the country," the statement added.

    Sedat Laciner, president of International Strategic Research Organization (USAK), one of Turkey's think tanks, said on Thursday that a ground operation against the PKK in north of Iraq would take place with cooperation of the United States, adding, "There are currently discussions taking place between Turkish and U.S. officials on the land operation."

    "Contrary to what the Turkish public believe, the United States is not against the option of a land operation against PKK. The United States does not want a land operation without its participation," Laciner said.

    "The topic of land operation has been extensively discussed between Deputy Chief of Turkish General Staff Gen. Ergin Saygun and Vice Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James E. Cartwright," he added.

    The U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said on Tuesday that his country is "continuing to work with the Turkish government and Turkish military to provide the best possible intelligence so that the terrorist group, PKK, operating in Iraqi territory can be dealt with."

    The United States has said the PKK is a threat to Turkey, Iraq and the United States, and has voiced support for Turkey to launch attacks on PKK targets in northern Iraq.

    The PKK took up arms against Turkey in 1984 with the aim of creating an ethnic homeland in the southeast of the country. More than 30,000 people have been killed in the over-two-decade conflict.