Iran Bombs PKK Camps
Melek YOLCU (JTW) -

Iran security forces bombed the PKK terrorist camps in northern Iraq. Iraq has protested Iranian operation. It is argued that the Iranian attacks were started last week.According to the Iraqi Ministry for Defense, Iranian forces entered 5 km inside Iraqi borders.It is reported that Iranian forces bombed the Hac Umran region in Erbil Province.The PKK has strong links with anti-Iranian Kurdist fighters. Last week, Iranian security forces killed 10 members of Pejak, which is affiliated with the PKK terror organization, in a major anti-terror operation. Iranian forces are conducting large scale operations near the Turkish and Iraqi borders after the PKK terrorists wintering in northern Iraq began to infiltrate the border with Turkey and Iran. In last week's clashes 10 PKK terrorists were killed while 6 Iranian security forces lost their lives. Several PKK terrorists were injured in the clashes.

There are no reported comments from Tehran on either of the alleged incidents, yet Tehran had declared that Turkey and Iran should make common operations against the PKK. Turkish security forces on the other hand continues its military operations against the PKK camps. "The Iraqi Government and the local security forces have done nothing against the PKK terrorism therefore we had to start a military operation against the terrorists" a Turkish officer said.A Turkish diplomat told the JTW that the operations is not against any country and does not aim any irredentist desire. "We respect all international borders and Turkey is the most important defender of Iraqi territorial unity" he added.Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sedat Laciner argues that the Iraqi Kurds 'invited' Turkish and Iranian military operations in Northern Iraq. Dr. Laciner continues:"The PKK has 3-4,000 terrorists in Iraq. They have armed camps and the camps have been used against Turkey, Syria and Iran. The PKK tries to create a Kurdish separatism in Turkey, Iran and Syria. They failed in Turkey. After the 26 years struggle against the security forces the PKK militants cannot get support from the Turkey Kurds and Turks.

The PKK uses the Iraq camps to make guerilla attacks against Turkey and Barzani and Talabani forces have allowed them to do so. If Barzani and Talabani do not want to see foreign soldiers in Northern Iraq, they have to prevent the PKK. If they cannot stop the PKK terrorists the Turkish armies may occupy some or the whole part of the region till the Iraqi Government establish its own sovereignty in the region. Barzani and Talabani are responsible in preventing terrorism in the region. If they have security forces they have to use it against terrorists not against their own Turkmen or Arab neighbors".Prof. Dr. Nilgun Gulcan said that the Iraqi Kurds are not happy with the Iranian and Turkish operations:"They are not happy. Barzani and Talabani see Turkey and Iran (and Syria) as the countries who can prevent the Kurdish independence. They accuse the neighboring countries of having desire on Iraqi territories.

In fact the reality is just the reverse. The Barzani and Talabani parties aim to establish an independent Kurdish state in Iraq. They illegally occupy Turkmen and Arab territories in Tel Afer, Kerkuk and other regions. Turkey respectsthe Iraqi peoples' will. However the Kurds should also respect the other minorities".It is expected that both Iran and Turkey will continue their military operations against the PKK in their own territories and in Iraq.US SUPPORTS TURKEY'S STRUGGLE AGAINST THE PKK The US State Department's annual "Country Reports on Terrorism 2005" has recently praised Turkey's cooperation in the fight against global terrorism, stating that Turkey is working to strengthen its counterterrorism finance regime.The American report, issued on Friday, again designated the PKK and its affiliates as a terror organization. The report underlined that the PKK terror organization, which has recently increased its terror activities, is carrying out fundraising and propaganda activities in Europe. The US report underlines that the PKK has some 3,500 terrorists are hiding in Northern Iraq, saying that it would require "more" joint action of Turkey, Iraq and the US to tackle the PKK terrorists. The Turkish military operations in the region was started after US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's official visit to Ankara. According to Dr.

Laciner Turkey has the American and Iranian support at the same time against the PKK: "Iran and the US are now at the heart of a crisis. However both countries give a clear support to Turkey in combating PKK terrorism" he added.The United States became convinced about the Turkish military operation against the PKK during a March visit by General Peter Pace, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Turkish daily Posta said. JTW30 April 2006
Sunday , 30 April 2006Melek Yolcu, JTW