Kurdish Militants: Turkey Establishing Military Bases in Iraq
BAGHDAD (Dispatches) – Kurdish militia groups have accused Turkey of establishing military bases in northern Iraq as part of Ankara’s ongoing offensive against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the Al Arabiya broadcaster reports.
According to a militant group spokesman, Turkish troops have already moved up to 25 miles into Iraqi territory as part of so-called Operation Claw-Tiger, the broadcaster reported.
The militia considers the Turkish encroachment to be a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, the broadcaster said, citing the spokesman.
On Friday, the Turkish National Defense Ministry reported that one of the country’s soldiers died in clashes with PKK troops in northern Iraq. Additional Turkish special forces soldiers were deployed to the region on 21 June.
Ankara has designated the PKK a terrorist organization and launched the anti-Kurdish offensive in mid-June. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry has twice handed a note of protest to the Turkish ambassador over violations of the Iraq’s sovereignty.
According to a militant group spokesman, Turkish troops have already moved up to 25 miles into Iraqi territory as part of so-called Operation Claw-Tiger, the broadcaster reported.
The militia considers the Turkish encroachment to be a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, the broadcaster said, citing the spokesman.
On Friday, the Turkish National Defense Ministry reported that one of the country’s soldiers died in clashes with PKK troops in northern Iraq. Additional Turkish special forces soldiers were deployed to the region on 21 June.
Ankara has designated the PKK a terrorist organization and launched the anti-Kurdish offensive in mid-June. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry has twice handed a note of protest to the Turkish ambassador over violations of the Iraq’s sovereignty.