Turkish Claws on Northern Iraq

Hurriyet ^ | 8/8/2002 | N/A

[a_Turk]

The countdown is on for the US attack on Iraq. Turkey has taken position in Northern Iraq in a blitz.

As concerns of an imminent US attack on Iraq grow day by day, Turkey has secured the Critical Bamerni airport in Northern Iraq.

Operational

Turkey has sent heavy machinery and electronic support equipment to the airport along with military and civil personnel who have made the airport available for military use in short order. Ankara, thereby, made it impossible for any other to strategically control the oil rich regions of Mosul and Kirkuk. Turkey has, additionally, established a umber of security checkpoints in northern Iraq.

Talabani explains

This surprize development was reported by PUK leader Celal Talabani, who had been in Ankara on 8/7.

Reports of 5000 Soldiers

The security apparatus inside Iraq was expanded to include a number of forward bases. According to unofficial sources, Turkey has about 5000 soldiers in the region.

Another unofficial report suggests that there are a few Americans who come and go to the Airport.

[Dog Gone]

A plan which gives northern Iraq to Turkey (it won't be characterized quite that bluntly) will go a long way toward solving some Turkish strategic goals, and the US should have no objection to that.

Deals are being made, only this time they are being made before the war, not at its conclusion.

[a_Turk]

Kurd/Turkoman autonomous zone

An ounce of prevention..

[Ford Fairlane]

Good for them. If Saddam is going to fall, Turkey might as well take back some of what used to be theirs.

[BJClinton]

Must be coming quicker than I thought.

Expect an "October Surprise".

[SubMareener]

Could be the first war that was won while the President was "on vacation!" Remember, he only promised not to attack in October..... ROTFLOL!

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

I hope Turkey gets to OWN Iraq, as much as it wants. Let Arabia and Iran tremble in fear at the very name. I tire of my nation having to deal with extremists.

[Petronski]

Where is it written that we couldn't have arranged the Turks to go on ahead of us: Turkish land operations in the north, American air operations all over, American land operations in the south to come later.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

I hope Turkey gets the oil to boot.

[Arioch7]

The game begins...

[lentulusgracchus]

Yup, pawn to queen's bishop 4.

Slurp!

[Arioch7]

LOL! Well said.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

The Force is with us.

[a_Turk]

I tire of my nation having to deal with extremists.

Don't forget to eat your wheaties then... There's a long road ahead. Couple of decades at least..

[terilyn]

Was there ever a doubt that Turkey would be "with us"?

I don't think so...

[VaBthang4]

Iraq could try to strike first but who will they go after?

Israelis? Jordanians? Syrians? Turks with American equipment and advisors? Kuwait with all of the personnel we have there and offshore? Saudis?

All Iraq is going to be able to do is lay there and take it....when "we" decide to dish it out.

[snippy_about_it]

Good News. Keep us posted Turk and stay safe.

[sistergoldenhair]

Interesting.
Thanks.

[lentulusgracchus]

I hope Turkey gets to OWN Iraq, as much as it wants. Let Arabia and Iran tremble in fear at the very name.

Oh, jeez, what a thought! God, we'd hear *ssholes slamming shut all the way to Aswan......wow, talk about playing a card! I stand corrected -- you're right, that's the rook, baby!! Didn't know it could do that, didja, Saddam?!! -- LOL!

[withteeth]

Thanks for the post.

Is this your own translation?

When did this news first appear?

[Mixer]

This time we will finish the job too. Saddam must be "removed" from Iraq.