Turkish troops enter north Iraq

[Matt W]

BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Turkish troops enter north Iraq

Turkish ground forces have crossed the border into northern Iraq to target Kurdish rebels said to be sheltering there, Ankara has said. It said the raid began late on Thursday after an air and artillery bombardment. Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has said the offensive is limited in scale and troops will return as soon as possible. Iraqi officials say they remain unaware of any major incursion into the north, and Kurdish officials believe it took place in a remote and unpopulated area.

10,000 troops doesn't exactly sound like a small force to me...and I doubt the Kurdish Peshmerga will view it as such.

How long before the Kurds insist on aid from the central Iraqi government to repel these incursions?

[shrike]

Quote by: matt How long before the Kurds insist on aid from the central Iraqi government to repel these incursions?

Even if they do insist do you think they will get it?

[Matt W]

Quote by: shrike Even if they do insist do you think they will get it?

If they don't get it, I can see a proper civil war developing, with the Kurdish authorities making the valid point that if they aren't being protected by their government, they may as well have independence. I would hope that's a worst-case scenario...

[Rainbow]

Iraqi officials say they remain unaware of any major incursion into the north, and Kurdish officials believe it took place in a remote and unpopulated area.

Iraqis have been notified about that upcoming event, officially, as well as U.S.
The purpose of Turkish military actions is to root out Kurdish terrorists.

[Matt W]

Quote by: Rainbow Iraqis have been notified about that upcoming event, officially, as well as U.S. The purpose of Turkish military actions is to root out Kurdish terrorists.

Turkey has talked about it, and authorised it internally, yes...but officially communicated to the Iraqi government? Really? Do tell...

[Nono]

I heard on Swiss TV that the Turks had notified the Americans, which isn't surprising. And since the toothless Iraqi government was installed by the Americans and "rules" under their aegis, well ...

Pretty funny eh? After six and a half years of US rhetoric about terrorism, the Turkish military is sent into Iraq -- Iraq -- to take on terrorists aided and abetted by America's chief ally there.

You couldn't make this stuff up.

[grandpa]

This is creating problems, as any sane person could have predicted:

Iraq calls Turkish forces 'direct threat to the peace' - CNN.com BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraq wants the Turkish forces targeting Kurdish rebels out of northern Iraq "as soon as possible," according to government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh. "The Turkish incursion is a direct threat to the peace and stability in the region," al-Dabbagh said in a statement.

[Rainbow]

Quote by: Matt W Turkey has talked about it, and authorised it internally, yes...but officially communicated to the Iraqi government? Really? Do tell...

I am not familiar with dimplomatic channels and/or levels that have been used for that purpose. However, the Iraqis governing body was notified about this event.
(I think you can grab some data from Internet sources.)

[GHook93]

Quote by: Matt W If they don't get it, I can see a proper civil war developing, with the Kurdish authorities making the valid point that if they aren't being protected by their government, they may as well have independence. I would hope that's a worst-case scenario...

Independence of Kurdistan is a foregone conclusion once the US leaves Iraq during the upcoming Obama administration. The will go the route of Kosovo!

[Matt W]

Quote by: Rainbow I am not familiar with dimplomatic channels and/or levels that have been used for that purpose. However, the Iraqis governing body was notified about this event. (I think you can grab some data from Internet sources.)

You made the claim, Rainbow, you go find it.

[Technosoul]

Now they are tagging the Kurds as rebels and terrorists. That is hogwash, the Kurds are all homeboys of that area and have the right to protest misstreatment generated by Turkey. The Kruds were fighting Saddam long before we did, they should be our friends.

It is just as wrong for Turky to invade Irag as it was for Irag to invade Kuwait.

Just as wrong if it was Iran instead of Trukey invading Iraq.

The Kruds have lived in Turkey as long as have the Turks, this is all nonsense. It is Turkey terrorism.

[grandpa]

Quote by: Technosoul Now they are tagging the Kurds as rebels and terrorists. That is hogwash, the Kurds are all homeboys of that area and have the right to protest misstreatment generated by Turkey.

"the Kurds are all homeboys." That's an interesting way to term it.

In actuality, though, the Kurds have been rebelling against Turkey's despotic assimilation policies and they have actually committed acts of what many would call "terrorism." Of course, terrorism can go both ways, and has. As mentioned, Turkey has been very despotic to the Kurds, and with significant US military aid in its efforts. That's right, this is yet another situation the US has involved itself in. I'm
actually surprised the Kurds haven't declared war on the US yet. It seems very much possible.

Grandpa h.

[rmnunez]

Turkey isn't invading, its an incursion, they'll be gone in days, aren't attacking civilians, trying to roust some domestic insurgents they may have chased accross the border. No civil war, its just a gesture.

[grandpa]

Quote by: rmnunez Turkey isn't invading, its an incursion, they'll be gone in days, aren't attacking civilians, trying to roust some domestic insurgents they may have chased accross the border. No civil war, its just a gesture.

I'm glad you have a crystal ball. Either that, or you may be in denial. Also, the difference between an "invasion" and an "incursion" is merely a propagandistic one.

I've also noticed you haven't provided any compelling evidence or arguments that Turkey is merely defending itself against "domestic insurgents." In fact, that's technically nonsensical, seeing as to how Turkey is attacking within Iraq in this case. And, in the broader sense, Turkey created this problem to begin with by expelling Kurds from villages and creating a refugee crisis (again, with US military aid), as well as formulating harsh assimiliation policies. With this general background compunded by recent Turkish attacks, there is every reason to believe Kurds might get upset, regroup in the spring and retaliate against Turkey.

Grandpa h.

[grandpa]

Well, here's an update on the situation:

2ND ROUNDUP: Turkish military confirms pullout from northern Iraq Ankara (dpa) - The Turkish military Friday confirmed that its ground incursion into northern Iraq targeting Kurdish PKK fighters had come to an end. The general staff said the objectives had been achieved and the soldiers were being pulled out.

Of course, one question remains: How long will Turkey remain "pulled out?"

Grandpa h.

[Domino]

From what I understand, a "Turkish pull-out" can be pretty nasty. I know I wouldn't want one.

[Nono]

Quote by: GHook Independence of Kurdistan is a foregone conclusion once the US leaves Iraq during the upcoming Obama administration. The will go the route of Kosovo!

I'm struck by the way your views on the matter accord with those of Saddam Hussein, G.

[Rainbow]

Quote by: Matt W You made the claim, Rainbow, you go find it.

OK. :-)))
I would try it.

[rmnunez]

I don't think an independent Kurdish state from Turkish territory is possible because if it were created this would cause seccesionists in three neighboring countries to seek to join the new state and bring along chunks of Iran, Iraq and Syria. Foreseably an independent Kurdish territory would shelter ethnic brothers seeking to emulate the successful seccesionists. Additionally, this is a rather barren region and its population is very poor, so they'd be worse off than they already are. Furthermore, the region would be landlocked and they'd have to rely on their former 'masters' to have any trade.

[Ghumanto]

It would be interesting what story US and UK will cook up to invade Iran . I guess once US manages Turkey to cool down, they'll discover gross human rights abuse towards Kurds by Iran and Syria and sought a war !!

It is a crime to use chemical weapons against Kurds in Iraq by Saddam but it was not a crime when Saddam used chemical weapons against Iran during the Iran Iraq war!

Iran is using it's wealth to build up military power - which is logical to some extent . But the 1st priority should be to improve it's citizens livelihood - the Iranian leaders seemed to forget this agenda!

In the world of diplomacy and politics - there is absolutely nothing called " Justice ".