Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Is Turkey About To Invade Iraq?

The situation in Bush's meatgrinder satrapy may get somewhat more complicated as Turkey might be preparing to go to war with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in nothern Iraq. (As a matter of fact, as I'm writing this, one report says it already happened.) Turkey has been moving forces to the border and all leave has been cancelled. They maintain it's for 'defence' purposes only but all options are still left open.

"The measures come amid frustration with US inactivity against the PKK and the expected infiltration of PKK militants from their mountain bases in northern Iraq with the arrival of spring.
(...)
The Office of the Chief of General Staff acknowledges extraordinary military activity in this region but adds that they are not evaluating a cross-border operation, a measure that is also opposed by the United States. However, Turkey’s decision will be shaped according to the steps the US soon takes."

America is walking a fine line with the Kurds who are spread out in several countries as the world's largest stateless ethnic minority. Turkey has been battling them for years and very much doesn't want them to control Kirkuk and it's oil riches, or form an independent state. If Turkey and the Kurds go to war it would mean a serious downturn in US - Turkey relations. This is extremely significant because The US desperately needs it's air base at Incirlik which Turkey already threatened to close if congress adopts a measure about last century's massacre of Armenians by the Turks. Planes flying out of Incirlik ship 3/4 of the air cargo into Iraq.

And if there's a move to close that base, plans for a wider war with Iran will be threatened.
Or accelerated.
Cost of the War in Iraq
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