Foreign Press Concerned About Cross-Border Operations

British and US media have written about the possibility of Turkey entering Northern Iraq as a reaction to the latest bloodshed in the south-eastern province of Sirnak. 

Guardian focuses on tensions between AKP and army 

According the the Guardian’s European editor Ian Traynor, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has finally given in to army pressure:

“The Turkish government yesterday yielded to its opponents in the army command, giving the go-ahead to the military to stage raids into northern Iraq against Kurdish separatist insurgents.”

Discussing the tensions between the government of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the army since April this year, the article continues:

“Turkey is currently governed by a constitution drawn up in the early 80s by the military following a putsch. Mr Erdogan is drafting a new constitution that would curb military power and privileges."

"With the generals repeatedly out-manoeuvred by Mr Erdogan, there was speculation that hawks in the army as well as militants among the Kurds may be plotting to undermine the government through the escalation of violence."

Financial Times: Parliamentary approval necessary 

The Financial Times reported on the anti-terrorism meeting between government ministers and army members and went on to say:

“In the past few months, Turkey has amassed up to 100,000 troops along its border with Iraq, and special units are understood to have crossed the border to carry out specific strikes against the PKK. A large-scale invasion, however, would require parliamentary approval, and there is no sign the government is ready to seek that.”

Voice of America: Washington opposes intervention

The Voice of America website quoted State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack, who called on Iraqis and Turks to collaborate on combating terrorism. The news website said,

“As to the Turkish government's warning about an incursion into Iraq, McCormack said sovereign states make their own decisions about how to best defend themselves.  But he said the United States has long counseled restraint and cooperation and he is not sure unilateral incursions are the way to resolve the matter.”

In a related article, the VOA website said:

“Turkey and Iraq signed a deal last month that commits Iraqi troops to fight Kurdish rebels who Ankara says use bases in northern Iraq to stage cross-border attacks.

The deal does not allow Turkey to send its troops into Iraq. Washington also opposes Turkish military intervention in northern Iraq, fearing it could destabilize Iraq's relatively peaceful Kurdish region.”

New York Times: Effects would be very harmful

The New York Times also reported on the possibility of Turkish operations in Northern Iraq and dwelled on the negative effects it would have in the region:

“Turkish military leaders have described an incursion as a necessary tactic to push back the rebels and disrupt their safe havens and supply lines. The government is also deeply frustrated at its inability to curb attacks by concentrating on operations within its own borders, and under pressure to show resolve to an outraged public."

"But such an operation could harm relations with Washington, create instability across the border and destroy livelihoods in the poor region. Turkey provides electricity and oil products to the Iraqi Kurdish administration in northern Iraq, and the annual trade volume at Habur gate, the main border crossing, is more than $10 billion.” (GG/AG)