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Turkey Claims Strike on Iraqi Kurds

Rebels deny report, and Washington claims ignorance

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 1, 2007 3:56 PM CST
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(Newser) – Turkey launched an “intense intervention” in Northern Iraq today, inflicting losses on PKK fighters—at least according to Ankara. A PKK official denies the strike, and Washington claims ignorance, Reuters reports. But Turkey says that its artillery, helicopters, and special forces struck a Kurdish base with 50-60 militants. "It was detected that the terrorist group had suffered heavy casualties," the army said on its website.

If they did strike, it wasn't the blitz that Turkey has threatened since stacking 100,000 troops on its mountainous border. “It’s not an invasion or a war,” said a Turkish lawmaker. “This is just a limited operation for the moment.” A full-scale invasion appears unlikely, because it would defy Washington's wishes, the New York Times reports.

Turkish soldiers take part in an army parade in the Turkish occupied area of Nicosia, Cyprus, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007. (AP Photo/Harun Ucar)
Turkish soldiers take part in an army parade in the Turkish occupied area of Nicosia, Cyprus, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007. (AP Photo/Harun Ucar)   (Associated Press)
Cemil Bayik, nicknamed Cuma, the commander of the People's Liberation Army of Kurdistan, the military wing of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), front, poses with fellow fighters in a mountain hideout in northern Iraq near the Turkish border, August 1, 1992. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)
Cemil Bayik, nicknamed "Cuma," the commander of the People's Liberation Army of Kurdistan, the military wing of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), front, poses with fellow fighters in a mountain hideout...   (Associated Press)
Pro-government Kurdish village guards take positions as they patrol with the Turkish Army platoon in Yuksekova, in the Hakkari province, near the Turkish-Iraqi-Iranian border, southeastern Turkey, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007. (AP Photo/Ibrahim Usta)
Pro-government Kurdish village guards take positions as they patrol with the Turkish Army platoon in Yuksekova, in the Hakkari province, near the Turkish-Iraqi-Iranian border, southeastern Turkey, Thursday,...   (Associated Press)
Two Turkish soldiers patrol in an army vehicle on a road in the southeastern Turkish province of Sirnak, bordering Iraq, Thursday Nov. 8, 2007. Turkey began an offensive against the PKK today, the prime minister said. (AP Photo/Ibrahim Usta)
Two Turkish soldiers patrol in an army vehicle on a road in the southeastern Turkish province of Sirnak, bordering Iraq, Thursday Nov. 8, 2007. Turkey began an offensive against the PKK today, the...   (Associated Press)
A Turkish military convoy travels in Sirnak province, near the Turkish-Iraqi border in southeastern Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007. PKK spokesman denied reports that Turkey fired and inflicted casualties on them today. (AP Photo/Ibrahim Usta)
A Turkish military convoy travels in Sirnak province, near the Turkish-Iraqi border in southeastern Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007. PKK spokesman denied reports that Turkey fired and inflicted casualties...   (Associated Press)
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Army gets green light to hit rebels
Reuters

US Military: All quiet on the Turkish front
AFP

Who are the PKK?
Reuters

 
Iraq • Turkey • PKK • Kurdistan Workers' Party • Northern Iraq • Kurdish guerrillas

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