Iraq Demands Turkish Troop Withdrawal
The Iraqi government on Tuesday denounced a recent Turkish incursion and demanded an immediate withdrawal of the troops from northern Iraq.
Spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said the military action was a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, and he called on the Turkish government to engage the Iraqis in dialogue instead.
"The Iraqi Cabinet has denounced the Turkish army's incursion," al-Dabbagh said in a televised statement after the government met to discuss the issue. "The Cabinet calls on Turkey to withdraw its troops immediately and stop military interference."
Turkey launched the incursion into northern Iraq on Thursday against separatist rebels from the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. The PKK wants autonomy for the predominantly Kurdish southeastern Turkey and rebels have carried out attacks in Turkey from bases in Kurdish Iraq. The conflict started in 1984 and has killed up to 40,000 people.
Turkey has assured the Iraqi government and the U.S. military that the operation would be limited to attacks on rebels. The U.S. and European Union consider the PKK a terrorist group.
Al-Dabbagh acknowledged the threat to Turkey posed by the rebels and said Iraq stood ready to work through trilateral discussions with the United States or any bilateral dialogue to prevent the PKK from using Iraqi territory to attack Turkey.
But, he said, "unilateral military activity is an unacceptable deed and endangers the good bilateral relations between our two neighboring countries."
Al-Dabbagh added that Iraq understood Turkey's concerns and that the government would "not allow Iraqi lands to be used as a base from which operations are launched to destabilize security in the region."
A statement posted on the military's Web site Monday also said two more soldiers were killed in fighting, but gave no details. The deaths would bring the total Turkish military fatalities since the start of the incursion Thursday to 17.
Meanwhile, processions of black-clad men flagellating themselves with chains to express grief at the martyrdom of a revered Shiite figure marched Tuesday through the city of Karbala, as a national pilgrimage marred by deadly attacks neared its conclusion.
Shiites from all over Iraq have walked to Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad for Arbaeen. The commemoration marks the end the mourning period following the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein, who was slain in a seventh century battle and is buried in Karbala, along with his half brother Imam Abbas.
Iraqi and U.S. authorities have said at least 8 million pilgrims are expected to swell the streets of Karbala by the time the time ceremonies reach their peak Wednesday and Thursday. With heavy security in the city, extremists have struck in recent days at more-exposed pilgrims walking to Karbala. At least 63 pilgrims have been killed.
Police Chief Raid Shakir Jawdat has said 40,000 police officers and military troops are being deployed to prevent attacks, with patrols on the outskirts of the city guarding against rocket or mortar attacks and hundreds of snipers on tall buildings.
The United States blamed Sunni-led al Qaeda in Iraq on Monday for the sectarian attacks, the worst of which killed 56 and wounded scores of pilgrims who were taking a break from their travels Sunday at a refreshment tent.
U.S. Embassy spokesman Philip Reeker said that while al Qaeda in Iraq has been "severely damaged," it remains a "dangerous threat."
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said the military action was a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, and he called on the Turkish government to engage the Iraqis in dialogue instead.
"The Iraqi Cabinet has denounced the Turkish army's incursion," al-Dabbagh said in a televised statement after the government met to discuss the issue. "The Cabinet calls on Turkey to withdraw its troops immediately and stop military interference."
Turkey launched the incursion into northern Iraq on Thursday against separatist rebels from the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. The PKK wants autonomy for the predominantly Kurdish southeastern Turkey and rebels have carried out attacks in Turkey from bases in Kurdish Iraq. The conflict started in 1984 and has killed up to 40,000 people.
Turkey has assured the Iraqi government and the U.S. military that the operation would be limited to attacks on rebels. The U.S. and European Union consider the PKK a terrorist group.
Al-Dabbagh acknowledged the threat to Turkey posed by the rebels and said Iraq stood ready to work through trilateral discussions with the United States or any bilateral dialogue to prevent the PKK from using Iraqi territory to attack Turkey.
But, he said, "unilateral military activity is an unacceptable deed and endangers the good bilateral relations between our two neighboring countries."
Al-Dabbagh added that Iraq understood Turkey's concerns and that the government would "not allow Iraqi lands to be used as a base from which operations are launched to destabilize security in the region."
The Turkish military has said 153 rebels have been killed in the operation. The Kurdish rebels disputed the claim and warned that Turkey had entered a conflict that it cannot win.
A statement posted on the military's Web site Monday also said two more soldiers were killed in fighting, but gave no details. The deaths would bring the total Turkish military fatalities since the start of the incursion Thursday to 17.
Meanwhile, processions of black-clad men flagellating themselves with chains to express grief at the martyrdom of a revered Shiite figure marched Tuesday through the city of Karbala, as a national pilgrimage marred by deadly attacks neared its conclusion.
Shiites from all over Iraq have walked to Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad for Arbaeen. The commemoration marks the end the mourning period following the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein, who was slain in a seventh century battle and is buried in Karbala, along with his half brother Imam Abbas.
(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Police Chief Raid Shakir Jawdat has said 40,000 police officers and military troops are being deployed to prevent attacks, with patrols on the outskirts of the city guarding against rocket or mortar attacks and hundreds of snipers on tall buildings.
The United States blamed Sunni-led al Qaeda in Iraq on Monday for the sectarian attacks, the worst of which killed 56 and wounded scores of pilgrims who were taking a break from their travels Sunday at a refreshment tent.
U.S. Embassy spokesman Philip Reeker said that while al Qaeda in Iraq has been "severely damaged," it remains a "dangerous threat."
Popular on CBSNews.com
- Mexico's drug war 20 Photos
- U.K. official: London attack suspects probed before
- Graphic video: Man dead in "truly shocking" London attack Play Video
- Tokyo's rockabilly scene 16 Photos
- Muslim hard-liners ID suspect in London attack
- Man dead in "truly shocking" London attack
- People cling to car in "sidewalk skiing" stunt Play Video
- London soldier slaying homegrown Islamic extremism?
Yes, it is not about freedom and democracy, it is about profit, oil and fatcats. Ironic it turns out to be the right wing who are the idealist moonbats after all?
It would be so great to see the Iraqi''s get together and decide they want their country back and take steps to be a responsible and productive country.
Iraq is a conquered, occupied, humiliated land with a puppet government and as such is in no position to demand anything. Why is this so difficult for the Iraqis to understand?
Should the will of the people in TWO democratically elected countries be ignored?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by hungry1968 at 05:34 PM : Feb 26, 2008
Perzactly!
SHOULD WE LEAVE DESPITE THEIR INVITATION?
Posted by bizzzz at 03:53 PM : Feb 26, 2008
In a recent survey, 72% of Iraqi''s want us to leave and say our presence is only making things worse.
Should the will of the people in TWO democratically elected countries be ignored?
The Iraq puppet government had better check with George Bushit and make sure their demand to Turkey doesn''t violate the "Bushit Doctrine" of pre-emptive attacks based on empty lies.
btw, people, those mountain dwelling Kurds are Christians. That is why they live and fight in rough terrain.
I don''t agree with attacking the villages... but then again, there''s King David, who wiped out entire villages of Philistines, so I will let God judge!