While evidence emerges that the US is provoking sectarian strife in Iraq, an equally worrying development:
The Turkish armed forces have launched their first military operation along the Iraqi border where Turkish troops have concentrated for days.
The Northern Iraqi cities of Amedi and Zaho, sheltering Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK) militants, were hit with mortar attacks in “Operation Crescent.”
First reports say that locations where militants were lodged in the regions of Geliye, Pisaxa, Pirbela, Sheshdara, Sheranish and Elanish were demolished.
The “Burgundy Beret” units performed a recognizance mission in the area a while ago as part of the Special Forces Command.
Meanwhile, the US tries to bribe Turkey into providing military assistance for a strike against Iran:
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said Sunday that his country refused a request from the United States to attack Iran from its Air Force base in Incirlik, despite the U.S. offer of a nuclear reactor, according to a report in Al Biyan.
In an interview for the United Arab Emirates newspaper, Gul noted that America’s efforts to attack Iran are “imaginary” and that Turkey’s stance is “strategic” and refuses the use of its land for any belligerent activity against neighbouring countries.
I think Turkey will tell the US go go to hell, just as they did with Iraq. Rice begged the Turks to stay on their side of the border, but they obviousl didn’t listen A sure sign that the US is losing political and diplomatic clout.
Once upon a time Turkey was part of the gang. Not anymore. Turkey is nervous enough with an emerging Kurdistan on it’s border sprinkled with Israeli agitation against…?? on its border without the headache of a pissed off Iran. Not going to happen.