Issue 158

Turkey seeks permission to attack Iraq

22nd October 2007

Tensions were on the rise once more in the Middle East this week as the Turkish armed forces were seeking permission from both their own government and the international community to launch raids into northern Iraq, to apparently deal with Kurdish rebel bases.

This is seen as a prelude to invasion by some observers; of the largely autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq. Turkey has in the past threatened to invade the region should an independent Kurdish nation be established. However this is the first time they have sought to launch military strikes into the region as Turkey (which controls Natos second largest army) was neutral during the first gulf war and the 2003 US led invasion, many are worried that this could lead to further escalations of fighting in the region, drawing in the Iraqis, Americans and maybe even the Iranians.

The contention comes from the Turkish conflict with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has been based in northern Iraqi Kurd territory since the 1990s and launching cross border attacks on Turkey the conflict between Turks and Kurds goes back much further into the past with the two groups being blood enemies for centuries.

The Iraqi government has so far refused permission for Turkish forces to conduct so called hot pursuit missions against PKK bases in northern Iraq but now the Turkish parliament is discussing the sanctioning of military force.

Jac Smith