Thursday, June 5, 2008
Turkish army working with Iran on PKK strikes
Turkey's military is cooperating with Iran by sharing information and coordinating strikes against PKK guerrillas in northern Iraq, a senior Turkish general said on Thursday.
"We haven't done it (coordinated strikes) for one or two months but we would do it if necessary," General Ilker Basbug, head of the land forces and the second most powerful man in the Turkish military, told reporters at a security conference.
The Turkish military has regularly attacked Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebel positions this year in the mountains of northern Iraq, where several thousands are believed to be holed up.
Turkish troops conducted a large-scale incursion across the border in February.
Iranian forces have often clashed in Iraqi border areas with rebels from the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK), an offshoot of the PKK. Analysts say PJAK has bases in northern Iraq from where they operate against Iran. (Reuters)
Labels: Iran, Kurdistan, Turkey
Possible Deal on Kirkuk Could Be a Stabiliser
A possible breakthrough over the fate of the contentious Iraqi province of Kirkuk appears to be underway, which could be a significant source of relief for the United States as it is trying hard to stabilise the country.
On Tuesday, for the first time a top Kurdish official explicitly said Kurds are ready to break a stalemate that has been in place for years, if not decades, raising hopes the potential time bomb of Iraq could be defused.
"In Kirkuk, as Kurds, we are ready for power-sharing," Nechirvan Barzani, prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency in Dubai.
"We are pushing for a solution, not especially a referendum. We have asked the U.N. to be technically involved because the situation is complicated," he said.
Barzani's remarks signal Kurds' new willingness to compromise over the oil-rich city after longtime resistance to any settlement other than a popular referendum. Because Kurds' numbers have grown hugely in Kirkuk since the end of 2003 war, Kurdish insistence on a referendum was interpreted by others as a desire to take over the city. (IPS)
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Peacemaker Turkey faces new threat
An intensifying fight between Turkey and a reorganized Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) threatens to introduce a new element of instability to the Middle East. And this at a time when some of the most serious crises in the region are taken on by regional actors, ironically with Turkey itself playing a key role as a peace mediator.
That has left the United States in a dilemma over whether to continue with its traditional policy of giving a green-light for a militaristic approach by Turkey to deal with the long-standing Kurdish issue, or to pressure its longtime ally to try harder for a political solution.
Turkish and PKK sources have claimed since the start of this year to have killed hundreds and dozens from the other side, respectively, signifying the resurgence of old hostilities in the region.
"We are at the threshold of a most critical era in terms of the PKK's influence," wrote Mehmet Ali Birand, a prominent Turkish columnist, in the May 29 English-language Turkish Daily News, acknowledging the potentially destabilizing consequences of the current conflict. (Asia Times)
Labels: Kurdistan, Turkey, U.S.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
POLITICS: Who Will Make Peace for the Peacemaker?
An intensifying fight between Turkey and a reorganised Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) threatens to introduce a new element of instability to the Middle East at a time when some of the most chronic crises in the region are taken on by regional actors, ironically with Turkey itself playing a key role as a peace mediator.
That has left the United States in a dilemma over whether to continue with its traditional policy of giving a green-light for a militaristic approach by Turkey to deal with the long-standing Kurdish issue, or to pressure its longtime ally to try harder for a political solution.
Turkish and PKK sources have claimed since the start of this year to have killed hundreds and dozens from the other side, respectively, signifying the resurgence of old hostilities in the region.
"We are at the threshold of a most critical era in terms of the PKK's influence," wrote Mehmet Ali Birand, a prominent Turkish columnist, in the May 29 English-language Turkish Daily News, acknowledging the potentially destabilising consequences of the current conflict.
While Turkey appeared triumphant after the capture of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in 1999, it has witnessed an escalation of attacks by Kurdish insurgents since 2007, raising fears that the country might be plunged into a new era of intra Turk-Kurd fighting reminiscent of 1980s and 1990s.
The fight between the PKK and Turkey has claimed around 40,000 lives over two decades. The PKK is considered a terrorist group by Ankara and dozens of western countries, including the U.S. and European Union members. (IPS)
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Turkey hits Kurdish rebel bases in Iraq
Warplanes and artillery units destroyed key Kurdish rebel positions in northern Iraq - including a communications center - in a second day of raids on rebel positions, the military said Sunday.
Turkish troops "intensely and effectively" struck rebel targets in the Avasin-Basyan area in northern Iraq late Saturday but were careful to avoid civilians or local Iraqi Kurdish forces, the military said, without giving any casualty toll.
"All targets have been hit with accuracy and terrorists in the targeted facilities have been rendered ineffective," the military said in a statement released on its Web site.
In a separate statement a few hours later, the military said it also struck a rebel "media and propaganda" center. It gave no other details.
There was no immediate rebel response to the claims. (AP)
Labels: Iraq, Kurdistan, Turkey
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Turkey 'kills 150 Kurdish rebels'
Turkish air strikes in northern Iraq this week left more than 150 Kurdish rebels dead, the Turkish army says.
"According to initial estimates, this operation allowed us to neutralise more than 150 terrorists," the army said in a statement on its website.
Several senior Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) commanders may have been killed, it said. There is no confirmation.
Turkey has staged several cross-border raids into northern Iraq over the past few months in pursuit of the rebels.
The strikes, which began on Thursday and ended on Friday, were carried out against PKK guerrillas based in the Qandil Mountains in northern Iraq, the Turkish army says.
All targeted posts in Qandil area were destroyed during the operation, according to the Turkish army's statement.
The Turkish parliament authorised cross-border operations against the PKK late last year. (BBC)
Labels: Iraq, Kurdistan, Turkey
Friday, May 2, 2008
Turkey confirms air strikes on Kurd rebels in N.Iraq
Turkish warplanes launched intensive bombing raids on Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq overnight, the Turkish General Staff said on Friday, but there were no reports of any casualties.
Turkish forces have stepped up strikes against Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) targets in northern Iraq in recent weeks in addition to operations against them in Turkey. Turkish troops conducted a large-scale incursion across the border in February.
"Turkish Air Force planes struck targets belonging to the terror group in a comprehensive and effective air operation from 2300 (2000 GMT)," the General Staff said in a statement on its website.
The military said all its planes had returned safely to base after the attack which was launched after PKK targets were identified in the Qandil mountain region. It did not make any mention of casualties.
The PKK uses northern Iraq as a base to stage attacks on Turkish territory. Turkey blames the PKK, which is fighting for an ethnic homeland in southeastern Turkey, for the deaths of more than 40,000 people.
A rebel spokesman earlier said that Turkish warplanes struck targets in northern Iraq overnight but there were no reports of any casualties. (Reuters)
Labels: Iraq, Kurdistan, Turkey
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Ankara takes softer tone with Iraqi Kurds
Turkey will seek closer cooperation with the Kurdish leaders of northern Iraq to curb Turkish Kurd rebels taking refuge in their region, Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Monday.
Babacan's remarks signaled a softening of the Turkish stance toward Iraqi Kurds. Ankara has accused them in past of harboring militants of the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
"We have had some differences ... over the PKK terrorist organization. But in the coming days, you can expect increasing contacts on various levels with the administration of northern Iraq," the Anatolia news agency quoted Babacan as saying.
Closer dialogue with the Iraqi Kurds "is important with respect to fighting the terrorist organization [PKK] and also for our economic relations and energy cooperation with Iraq as a whole," the minister said. (Daily Star)
Labels: Iraq, Kurdistan, Turkey
Iraq says Turkish air strikes "unfortunate"
Turkish air strikes on Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq are "unfortunate" and will do little to address Ankara's concerns about security, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih said on Monday.
Turkey has stepped up strikes in the past week on Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) targets in remote parts of northern Iraq. It has also launched operations against rebels inside Turkey.
"It's unfortunate. Undoubtedly these military attacks are not helpful, will not do (their) job and ensure Turkish security concerns -- nor Iraqi security concerns," Salih told Reuters.
"We have been clear that we recognize the legitimate security concerns of Turkey. But we believe this can only be achieved through dialogue and cooperation between the two governments, not by unilateral military action by Turkey."
Air strikes by Turkey late last week were the biggest this year, according to Turkish military sources. (Reuters)
Labels: Iraq, Kurdistan, Turkey
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Turkey targets PKK bases in Iraq
Turkish aircraft have hit Kurdish separatist targets inside northern Iraq for a second consecutive day, according to the Turkish military.
Army sources said that air attacks which began on Friday were the biggest operation against targets across the border this year.
A spokesman for the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) said that Saturday's bombing had caused no casualties.
The attacks took place in the regions of Zap, Avasin-Basyan and Hakurk, close to the Turkish border, where the PKK is known to have maintained bases in the past.
In a brief statement posted on its website, the military said all aircraft had returned to their bases safely after "successfully completing their duty".
The Turkish military has carried out a series of air attacks on northern Iraq since the end of a land offensive into the neighbouring country in February.
Operations against the PKK are expected to be stepped up as spring arrives and the snow melts, making it easier to move about in the mountainous region. (Al Jazeera)
Labels: Iraq, Kurdistan, Turkey
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Turkish army says it strikes PKK group in Northern Iraq
Turkish warplanes fired on a group of Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq on Wednesday as they tried to cross into Turkey, the army said on Thursday.
The army statement came a day after a military source said at least four Turkish military jets bombed Kurdish separatist targets inside northern Iraq.
"A group of armed PKK/KONGRA-GEL terror organization members, who were trying to cross into Turkey from northern Iraq's Hakurk region, were spotted and neutralized by fire from aircraft of the Air Forces," the statement said.
It gave no further details, but "neutralized" generally means killed.
On Wednesday, a spokesman for the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) guerrilla group said Turkish planes bombed a remote part of northern Iraq but no one was hurt.
A PKK spokesman denied the Turkish army statement and said the Turkish bombing had caused no casualties among the rebels. (Reuters)
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Turkish soldier dies in PKK clash
A Turkish soldier was killed during a clash with Kurdish rebels near the country's south-eastern border with Iraq, Turkish officials say.
The fighting took place in a mountainous area of Sirnak province late on Wednesday.
The military said earlier that Turkish warplanes had hit rebels reported to be trying to cross the border.
More than 30,000 people have died since the PKK began fighting for self-rule in south-east Turkey in 1984.
Turkey, the EU and US consider the PKK to be a terrorist organisation. (BBC)
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Turkish army says it strikes PKK in Northern Iraq
Turkish warplanes fired on a group of Kurdish guerrillas in northern Iraq on Tuesday as they tried to enter Turkey, the General Staff said on Wednesday.
The General Staff said in a statement the warplanes had "neutralised", generally meaning killed, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) rebels in the Avasin-Basyan region of northern Iraq.
PKK spokesman Ahmet Danees, who is based in northern Iraq, said Turkish forces had bombed for an hour in the Zagros mountains, but that there were no casualties among the PKK.
It was not possible to independently verify the reports. (Reuters)
Labels: Iraq, Kurdistan, Turkey
Sunday, April 13, 2008
PKK offshoot threatens to launch attacks in Iran
A Kurdish rebel group based in northern Iraq threatened Sunday to launch bomb attacks inside Iran if Tehran fails to halt what it called anti-Kurdish policies.
PEJAK (Party of Free Life of Kurdistan) warned that it has the ability to "carry out bombings against Iranian forces" inside Iran.
Ronahi Ahmed, a member of PEJAK's political bureau, told AFP from the group's hideout in northern Iraq's Qandil Mountains that the rebels were ready for a long fight with Tehran.
"We can't stand handcuffed when Iran is chasing us on a daily basis. We have the ability to confront Iran inside Tehran. We are not accepting threats from anybody," she said. "We don't accept the religious suppression that is being carried out by the Iranians. We totally reject it."
Ahmed said the group had recently attacked Iranian forces across the border.
"Last month our people were able to infiltrate Mahkook town in northwest Iran. They killed dozens of Iranian soldiers. In another incident in Iran's Miryuwan town our guerrillas killed six soldiers," she said. "Iran should be aware that we have a long arm that can strike at significant places inside Iran, especially in the northwest reaching Tehran." (Daily Star)
Thursday, April 3, 2008
EU was wrong to include PKK on terror list: court
A European Union court ruled against the way the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) was put on the bloc's list of groups whose funds must be frozen to help fight terrorism in 2002, but the EU said the ruling was irrelevant.
The Court of First Instance (CFI), the EU's second-highest court, said the EU had not properly justified its decision at the time.
But an EU official said a new version list had been drawn up in December 2007, including the PKK again, which took into account the views of the court in similar cases in the past.
"For the Council (of EU governments), the PKK continues to be on the list," the official said.
The Turkish government blames the PKK for nearly 40,000 deaths since the group launched an armed struggle for a Kurdish homeland in southeast Turkey in 1984.
Thursday's ruling followed similar judgments by the CFI that the EU had failed to give sufficient reasons for including groups on the list, including exiled Iranian opposition group, the People's Mujahideen. (Reuters)
Labels: European Union, Kurdistan
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Turkey hits rebel targets in Iraq
Turkey has been bombarding Kurdish rebel positions in northern Iraq with aircraft and artillery, the Turkish military has said.
At least 15 rebels died in cross-border shelling on Thursday as they prepared to attack targets in Turkey, it added.
Air strikes were carried out on Friday, but it was unclear whether there had been any casualties from the raids.
In a week-long offensive last month, Turkey targeted bases it said were used by rebels for cross-border attacks.
Up to 3,000 Kurdish rebels attached to the PKK, or Kurdistan Workers' Party, used the bases, it said. (BBC)
Labels: Iraq, Kurdistan, Turkey
Iraqi Kurds stress flexibility over Kirkuk
Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region would be ready to accept an equitable political solution other than a referendum to the controversial issue of control of the oil-rich Kirkuk area, a senior official said Friday. "If there is any other solution [than the referendum], the government of Kurdistan is committed to be part of this solution, that could be an option," said Falah Mustafa Bakir, the Kurdistan regional government's official responsible for external relations.
"The government of Kurdistan would be ready to accept a political agreement that would satisfy all the parties," he added in an interview with AFP.
The oil hub, located about 250 kilometers north of the capital, Baghdad, is claimed by both Arabs and Kurds, and a referendum to decide its fate was to have been held last December but was delayed after UN intervention. Kurdish leaders agreed to a six-month postponement of the vote at the recommendation of the United Nations. (AFP)
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