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Turkey Gives No Timetable on Iraq Withdrawal

US, Iraq want quick end to incursion aimed at Kurd rebels

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 27, 2008 1:35 PM CST

(Newser) – Despite mounting casualties and outside pressure, Turkey said today it would not give a timetable on pulling back troops from an offensive against Kurdish rebels in Iraq, Reuters reports. Turkish soldiers have killed 230 PKK guerillas since the conflict began, and lost 24 of their own. Iraqi and US officials say the incursion could destabilize security in the country as a whole.

Robert Gates said Turkey should limit the length of its Iraqi incursion to days, not months, and “be mindful of Iraqi sovereignty.” The US defense secretary will visit Ankara tomorrow, but may face resistance: Turkey’s foreign minister described “continuing operations” in northern Iraq as “not a violation of Iraqi sovereignty” but “restoration … over those geographic areas where terrorists are functioning."

In this photo released by the Turkish Military on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, Turkish commandos rest during an operation against Kurdish rebels at an undisclosed location on the Turkish-Iraqi border, southeastern Turkey. Turkish troops have killed 77 Kurdish rebels in night-long clashes in northern Iraq, the military said Wednesday. Five...
In this photo released by the Turkish Military on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, Turkish commandos rest during an operation against Kurdish rebels at an undisclosed location on the Turkish-Iraqi border, southeastern...   (Associated Press)
A Turkish military helicopter heads toward the border to participate in a combat mission in northern Iraq after taking off from its base in Cukurca in Hakkari province at the Turkey-Iraq border, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008. Turkish troops have killed 77 Kurdish rebels in the most intense fighting of a...
A Turkish military helicopter heads toward the border to participate in a combat mission in northern Iraq after taking off from its base in Cukurca in Hakkari province at the Turkey-Iraq border,...   (Associated Press)
Turkish army's newly arrived elite troops wait to be sent into Iraq to participate in a combat mission in northern Iraq after taking off from its base in Cukurca in Hakkari province on the Turkey-Iraq border, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008. Turkish troops have killed 77 Kurdish rebels in the most...
Turkish army's newly arrived elite troops wait to be sent into Iraq to participate in a combat mission in northern Iraq after taking off from its base in Cukurca in Hakkari province on the Turkey-Iraq...   (Associated Press)
A Turkish army helicopter heads for the border into Iraq to participate in a combat mission in northern Iraq as newly arrived elite troops are seen in Cukurca in Hakkari province at the Turkey-Iraq border, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008. Turkish troops have killed 77 Kurdish rebels in the most intense...
A Turkish army helicopter heads for the border into Iraq to participate in a combat mission in northern Iraq as newly arrived elite troops are seen in Cukurca in Hakkari province at the Turkey-Iraq border,...   (Associated Press)
A Turkish army helicopter heads for the border into Iraq to participate in a combat mission in northern Iraq after taking off from its base in Cukurca in Hakkari province at the Turkey-Iraq border, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008. Turkish troops have killed 77 Kurdish rebels in the most intense fighting...
A Turkish army helicopter heads for the border into Iraq to participate in a combat mission in northern Iraq after taking off from its base in Cukurca in Hakkari province at the Turkey-Iraq border, Wednesday,...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by the Turkish Military on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, A Turkish soldier stands guard during an operation against Kurdish rebels at an undisclosed location on the Turkish-Iraqi border, southeastern Turkey. Turkish troops have killed 77 Kurdish rebels in night-long clashes in northern Iraq, the military said...
In this photo released by the Turkish Military on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, A Turkish soldier stands guard during an operation against Kurdish rebels at an undisclosed location on the Turkish-Iraqi border,...   (Associated Press)
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Iraq demands Turks pull out of northern Iraq
Los Angeles Times

Turkish troops continue to flow into Iraq
CNN

Turkey likely target: PKK bases on Iran-Iraq border
Xinhua (China)

 
Iraq • Turkey • Robert Gates • United States • PKK • Kurdistan Workers' Party • Kurdish incursions • Kurdish guerrillas

 
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