Turkish Army Conduct Military Maneuvers on Iraqi Border By Murat Gezer, Sirnak
Published: Sunday, April 30, 2006
zaman.com
The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) has completed the military buildup of police and troops at points along the Iran and Iraq borders that lasted two months. The security forces, completing preparations for a possible operation, have secured their positions and wait for military orders.
The Turkish army realized its first operation against eight Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK) camps within the borders of Northern Iraq last week. The army will reportedly operate in accordance with intelligence coming from its troop stationed across the border.
According to information gathered from a high-ranking official, the Turkish army is concentrating a military buildup on the border to prevent terrorists’ infiltrating across the border and to preserve its own border security in the case of a possible US intervention in Iran. The official who wanted to remain anonymous told that routine operations against the PKK will continue.
The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) has completed the military buildup of police and troops at points along the Iran and Iraq borders that lasted two months. The security forces, completing preparations for a possible operation, have secured their positions and wait for military orders.
The Turkish army realized its first operation against eight Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK) camps within the borders of Northern Iraq last week. The army will reportedly operate in accordance with intelligence coming from its troop stationed across the border.
According to information gathered from a high-ranking official, the Turkish army is concentrating a military buildup on the border to prevent terrorists’ infiltrating across the border and to preserve its own border security in the case of a possible US intervention in Iran. The official who wanted to remain anonymous told that routine operations against the PKK will continue.
“The special forces in Northern Iraq will try to clear Kandil Mountain, considered to be the headquarters of the PKK from terrorists, in a direct operation,” the official informed. In the case of possible US military action against Iran, Turkey will conduct its own military intervention in Iran “to prevent terrorists’ crossing the border and to preserve border security.” In the meantime, security measures on the border have increased to the highest level.
The military convoy, which was photographed by Zaman as it was making military dispatch to the border yesterday, passed through the Habur-2 Border Gate on the Uludere-Beytussebab highway. Turkish troops are expected to conduct military maneuvers on the Iraq border within a week.
Across the border, it is claimed that settlements close to Kandil and the Turkey border are being evacuated and the residents of these settlements are being moved to the inner regions of Northern Iraq. Over 20 villages in the region of Kandil were evacuated to prevent any loss of life. The peshmergas in Northern Iraq will be deployed to the border at the request of the US.
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