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Rebel Kurds Defy Turks, US

Rebel group leader vows 'no surrender' against Turkey or US

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 21, 2007 9:09 AM CST
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(Newser) – The leadership of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, the rebel group based in northern Iraq that the United States considers a terrorist organization, has spoken out to warn of resistance to any Turkish cross-border incursion. In a report by a pro-Kurdish news agency, a leading PKK commander warned that his group would fight not only the Turkish army but also any US and Kurdish Iraqi parties that aid Turkish efforts.

The US and Iraqi Kurdish factions "should understand that if we want, we can create instability and place their interests in danger," said Cemil Bayik, a leading commander of the PKK. Yesterday General David Petraeaus met with the head of Turkey's army, but no details have been released about their meeting and whether Turkey will go ahead with planned sorties in northern Iraq.

Turks hold national flags and banners during a funeral ceremony for the slain soldiers in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007. Turkish Army Lt. Gokhan Yavuz, Pvt. Gokhan Soylu and two other soldiers were killed by separatist Kurdish rebels of PKK on Tuesday in southeastern Turkey. The banners read
Turks hold national flags and banners during a funeral ceremony for the slain soldiers in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007. Turkish Army Lt. Gokhan Yavuz, Pvt. Gokhan Soylu and two other soldiers...   (Associated Press)
A Kurdish demonstrator holds a placard of Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan during a protest against Turkish action on the Turkey-Iraq border against the PKK, in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia, Monday, Nov. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A Kurdish demonstrator holds a placard of Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan during a protest against Turkish action on the Turkey-Iraq border against the PKK, in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia, Monday,...   (Associated Press)
Kurds carry a banner with a portrait of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, during a demonstration in Vienna, Austria, on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)
Kurds carry a banner with a portrait of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, during a demonstration in Vienna, Austria, on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)   (Associated Press)
Turkish women wave national flags as they watch a funeral ceremony for the slain soldiers in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007. Turkish Army Lieutenant Gokhan Yavuz, Private Gokhan Soylu and two other soldiers were killed by separatist Kurdish rebels of the PKK on Tuesday in southeastern Turkey. (AP Photo/Murad...
Turkish women wave national flags as they watch a funeral ceremony for the slain soldiers in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007. Turkish Army Lieutenant Gokhan Yavuz, Private Gokhan Soylu and two...   (Associated Press)
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Petraeaus meets with leading Turkish military figures
Financial Times (UK)

 
Iraq • Turkey • David Petraeus • Kurdistan Workers' Party

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