Posted on 05/06/2006 6:18:58 PM PDT by Flavius
Kurds Threaten Attacks on Iran Agence France Presse
MOUNT QANDIL, Iraq, 7 May 2006 — A top Kurdish guerilla yesterday threatened to launch hit-and-run attacks on Iran, saying the Shiite country planned to bomb his group’s positions inside Iraq to gain Turkey’s support against the US. “We have the right to launch attacks against Iranian forces,” said Cemil “Cuma” Bayik, the de facto leader of the feared Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK), a quasi-Socialist rebel movement entrenched in a decades-long guerilla war for independence in the majority Kurdish southeast of Turkey.
He said recent Iranian artillery shelling on PKK camps in Iraqi Kurdistan meant that the rebel group’s battle could spread to Iran. “We are on the defense. If we’re not attacked we won’t either. We believe politics and democracy are a better path,” Bayik said as his personal guard of a handful of male and female fighters in Kurdish dress waited outside a small hut while he spoke to AFP.
But Bayik said PKK “intelligence reports” suggested Iran was preparing for a new shelling of rebel positions. “We can’t afford to face them in open battle. We’ll make hit-and-run raids with our Kalashnikovs, rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns and mortars.”
The PKK consists of thousands of male and female Kurdish fighters who profess a “Democratic Socialist” philosophy, under which women’s equality plays an important role and in whose fighting ranks sexual relations are not allowed.
To join, members have to renounce worldly possessions and cut links with the outside world in their quest for Kurdish independence and a new social order in which women will no longer be “enslaved,” Bayik said.
Bayik blamed the offensive by Iran on the Islamic republic’s desire to please neighbor and NATO member Turkey as Western pressure mounts over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. “They will do anything to make sure Turkey is not with the US in a fight against Iran,” said Bayik, who commands the rebels in Iraq and Turkey while PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan serves a life sentence in a Turkish prison.
An estimated 25 to 35 million Kurds live in Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Syria. Ankara has long urged Iraqi and US forces to root out the PKK from Iraq’s northern region, which they have occupied since the 1980s war between Iran and Iraq. Turkey says some 5,000 armed PKK militants have found refuge in northern Iraq since 1999.
Bayik said the figure was lower but would not provide a specific number, saying it was a “military secret.” Iran “will not dare send in troops against us unless the situation in Iraq deteriorates further,” Bayik said. “However, they will continue with the bombings.” He said the Iranian attacks were also aimed to pressure Baghdad as it struggles to form a government.
Kurdish leaders in Iraq have promised to raise the issue of the northern oil city of Kirkuk which they demand be integrated into a Kurdish autonomous zone after a cabinet is formed. Iran is “trying to help some factions in Iraq work against the Kurdish nation so that Kirkuk doesn’t join the (autonomous zone). This is happening as the new government is being created and the Kirkuk problem is discussed,” Bayik said.
“If the Kurds go to war with the Arabs over Kirkuk we will help them. We don’t just fight for ourselves,” Bayik said adding that such a conflict was “possible.”
Oh, boy. This will help.
Screw Turkey, we should be arming the Kurds and turn them into the regions powerhouse
Since the Iranians support America's enemies, it's only reasonable that the United States support this attack if it comes.
Sounds like Iran may soon get a taste of their own insurgency guerilla action.
You need to understand that the PKK are communists.
They are NOT the nice Kurds you are thinking of who have been helping us in Iraq.
The Iraqis need to control the PKK or kick them out of Iraq.
Well, in most cases I would agree, but what about the enemy of my enemy is my friend philosophy ? Who is more of a threat to us , the Islamists or these wannabe commie Kurds who will never gain a significant foothold to spread their Communism ?
Apr 30, 2006
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's Defence Ministry said on Sunday that Iranian forces had shelled Kurdish rebel positions this month and crossed 5 km into Iraqi territory.
Iraqi Kurdish officials had said Iranian forces shelled Iranian Kurdish rebel positions inside northern Iraq on April 21 to repel an attack, wounding at least four civilians.
"Iranian forces bombed border areas in the Haj Umran area, the Iranian forces crossed 5 km over the border and bombed Lolan with more than 180 heavy artillery shells targeting the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)," a ministry statement said.
The statement was the first official Iraqi confirmation of the incident.
The breach by Iranian forces could fuel accusations of Iranian interference in Iraq by Sunni Arab politicians.
Mo's wasting Mo's! Good thing they are peaceful people or they might hurt somebody.
Perhaps we should give the Kurds some nukes.
The Iraqi Kurds don't even consider the PKK their friends.
The PKK are a militant separatist group and they're instigating trouble and causing retaliation from Iran and Turkey. Iraq doesn't need another front opening up now. The Iraqis need to deal with this situation and either get cooperation from the PKK to cease and desist or get the heck out of Iraq or else.
You need to understand that the PKK are communists
Democrats huh!!!
That is a valid point . Would you consider them our ally if the situation gets intense with Iran ?
I don't think we need them
The United States government classifies the PKK a terrorist group. (As does Britain and EU)
PKK has been bombing schools and cafes, and murdering civilians inside Turkey for nearly three decades, all in the name of Kurdish seperatism. Not to mention they have a Communist philosophy. I think it would take a lot for the U.S. to ever consider them an ally.
I don't recall seeing the PKK on the State Dept's FTO list (Foreign Terrorist Org)
Are you sure?
Yes, the PKK is considered a terrorist group. Doing a quick search for PKK on the State Department webpage (state.gov):
Regarding bombings in Turkey (from Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman):
"We reiterate our strong condemnation of all terrorist groups, including the PKK. It is important to condemn this violence and stand against terrorists and their supporters."
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/64049.htm
Daily Press Briefing (May 2, 2006) Sean McCormack:
"The PKK is a terrorist organization. It is responsible for the deaths of many, many innocent civilians."
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2006/65725.htm
And there's lots more references to the PKK as a terrorist group on the State Department webpages.
Ok I found it. PKK is also on the State Dept's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations:
"13. Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)"
http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/rpt/fto/2001/5258.htm
Time for Turkey to be kicked out of NATO!!!!!!
I just found the 2005 list and they aren't there.........
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/65479.pdf
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