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Turkey Menaces Kurds

Buildup along border makes U.S., Iraq nervous

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 1, 2007 6:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – Turkish troops and tanks amassing along the border with Iraq are ready to go after Kurdish separatist guerrillas as soon as they get the order, the country's top general said yesterday. The US, Iraq and the EU are all urging Turkey not to launch the offensive, which could destabilize Northern Iraq.

The military build-up, and ratcheting up of rhetoric, are a response to last week's  suicide bombing in Ankara. Turkey claims Iraqi Kurdistan is a safe haven from which separatist  militants PKK launch attacks. Fourteen PKK members have been killed near the border this week; Turkey says up to 3,800 are now based in Iraq.

Turkish protesters hold up their national flags.
Turkish protesters hold up their national flags.   (Getty Images)
Military vehicles are seen heading toward border with Iraq in the southeastern Turkish city of Sirnak, Wednesday, May 30, 2007.
Military vehicles are seen heading toward border with Iraq in the southeastern Turkish city of Sirnak, Wednesday, May 30, 2007.   (Associated Press)
Motorized guns stand at  the train station in southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir.
Motorized guns stand at the train station in southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir.   (Associated Press)
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