Iraq tells Turks to end attack on north - USA/Terrorism/Turkey
Tina Susman & Yesim Comert; 24/3/08
Turkish troops clashed with Kurdish militants in the snowy mountains of northern Iraq after staging a surprise land invasion, the most serious offensive in years in Turkey’s 24-year conflict with anti-government rebels. Iraq’s Government reacted angrily, demanding the troops withdraw and accusing Turkey of destroying five bridges in violation of its vow to target only rebel bases. The White House confirmed it knew in advance of the invasion, which could inflame ethnic tensions in the mostly peaceful region. Iraqi Kurds sympathise with Turkish Kurds’ quest for autonomy and want to expand Iraq’s own autonomous Kurdistan region. But Arabs in the north fear greater Kurdish clout will sideline them.