Turkish Troops Said Missing

Troops and trucks mass on northern Iraqi border after Kurdish ambush; incursion looms
By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 22, 2007 7:28 AM CDT
Turkish Troops Said Missing
Demonstratos shout slogans to condemn a recent attack by the Kurdish rebels on the Turkish troops, during a protest in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007. Kurdish rebels ambushed a military unit at the Turkey's border with Iraq early Sunday, killing 12 soldiers and increasing pressure on the Turkish...   (Associated Press)

A Turkish convoy with dozens of military vehicles joined tens of thousands of troops massed on the Iraqi border today, as the military announced that eight soldiers were missing, in addition to 12 killed, in an ambush by Kurdish militants early yesterday morning. The Turks shelled Kurdish camps over the border for nearly 24 hours  in retaliation for the attacks. Protesters across the country demanded tough action and opposition leaders called for PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan to resign.

Turkish leaders said after an emergency meeting last night  they would "pay any price" to protect their nation but announced no imminent plans for an invasion. Erdogan said Condoleeza Rice had phoned during the meeting to urge him to give the US "a few days to take certain steps" before taking drastic action. (More Turkey stories.)

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