The UK Times reports that Turkey is on the verge of either sending in ground troops to Northern Iraq or performing a series of air strikes on the mountainous region. Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister, is refraining from any military action until he hears what the United States can offer Turkey as an alternative. The northern Iraqi Kurds still maintain that any military intrusion would be considered an act of war, and will respond accordingly. In an effort to promote a peaceful resolution to this conflict, the PKK released 8 Turkish prisoners into U.S. custody, who then returned them to Turkey. They call this an act of peace, but it is overshadowed by the deaths of 12 other Turkish soldiers who were killed in the capture of the previous 8. The Iraqi government played a major role in the releasing of these soldiers, and the U.S. gives them much credit for their intervention. Although efforts are being made by many parties to maintain peace is the only region that is semi-peaceful in Iraq, all evidence points towards a Turkish invasion in the near future.
November 4, 2007...9:06 pm
Turkey seeks deal with Bush concerning northern Iraq invasion- PKK releases Turkish prisoners (Scott)
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