By Vivek Thiagarajan
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East
ANKARA, Turkey- Turkey’s likelihood of invading Iraq in order to eliminate the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) rebels has increased. The PKK desires an independent Kurdistan for the Kurds living in Turkey. The Turkish military reported that it has eliminated 30 terrorists that were preparing to ambush the Turkish military. Since Sunday, 64 insurgents have been killed by the Turkish military. (Fox News- AP)
Also, the possibility of a peaceful remedy through diplomacy between Turkey and Iraq is quickly diminishing. Turkish Defense Minister Jassim stated that Turkey had proposed “concrete steps” to rectify the problems with Iraq. (AFP) According to Turkish Foreign Minister Babacan Iraq has not responded accordingly and has only said “just words” and not “concrete proposals”, which is increasing Turkish frustration. (AFP)
The increased tension has been encouraged by the PKK and possibly militant factions within the Turkish military. The PKK waged a constant war with Turkey from 1984-1999. At the end of the war the PKK lost support as its supporters got tired of the warfare. The PKK could benefit from a Turkish invasion of Iraq, because it would probably create animosity toward the Turkish government by the 15 million Turkish Kurds, which the PKK hopes it can translate into its supporters. This prolonged warfare was very difficult on the nation of Turkey. Generally, the people of Turkey have appreciated the relative peacefulness they have experienced since the end of the war. However, since the war has ended the Turkish military has not occupied the limelight. This has led some analysts believe that some militant factions in Turkey are inciting violence in order to restore prominence back to the Turkish military, which would come through another war with the PKK. (Independent Online)
The situation has gotten worse as the Iranians have simultaneously expressed their anger towards the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK). The PJAK is a militia seeking to create an independent Kurdistan and is affiliated with the PKK and has recently increased its attacks on security forces in northwestern Iran. The Iranians also have expressed their belief that the situation can be resolved peacefully.
Although the direct diplomacy between Turkey and Iraq has been faltering, Turkey has stated that it will not invade Iraq until after the Prime Minister Erodgan’s diplomatic visit with President Bush on November 5. Also, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is planning to visit Ankara on November 1.
For more information, please see:
Al-Jazeera- Turkey Delays PKK attack decision- 27 October 2007
Al-Jazeera- Turkey-Iraq talks on PKK ‘fail’- 27 October 2007
Al-Jazeera- Turkey troops kill Kurdish fighters- 28 October 2007
AFP- Turkish leaders increase pressure on US, Iraq- 24 October 2007
Fox News (AP)- Turkey: U.S. Will Not Stop Iraq Incursion; 64 Suspected Rebels Killed- 25 October 2007
Guardian Unlimited- Turkish Forces Clash With Rebel Kurds- 28 October 2007
Independent Online- Turkey reluctantly prepares for attack on Kurds- 28 October 2007
