Posted on 08/25/2007 6:02:20 AM PDT by Fennie
BAGHDAD -- Iranian soldiers crossed into Iraq and attacked several small villages in the northeastern Kurdish region, local officials said. U.S. military spokesman Lt. Col. Christopher Garver said he couldn't confirm the attacks, but five Kurdish officials said that troops had infiltrated Iraqi territory and fired on villages.
The Iranian military regularly exchanges artillery and rocket fire with Kurdish rebels who have taken refuge across the border, but Iraqi Kurdish officials worried that Iran's willingness to cross the border raises the possibility of a broader confrontation that would draw the Iraqi government and U.S. forces into an unwanted showdown.
Details of the incursion were sparse. Abdul Wahid Gwany, the mayor of Choman, a village 250 miles north of Baghdad, said Iranian troops crossed the border in 10 places and traveled about three miles into the mountainous Iraqi region, bombing rural villages in the process. He didn't say how many Iranian troops were involved.
Jamal Ahmed, the police chief of Benjawin, a village a little more than 200 miles north of Baghdad, said the attacks killed some residents. "We don't know the amount of casualties as the bombing was continuous and so severe," Ahmed said. Gwany said the attacks killed many cattle and left villages and farms burned to the ground...
Uniformed Iranian troops invading Iraqi Kurdistan and attacking our allies. Is this now Act of War enough to bomb them into oblivion!?
Unwanted by whom?
Here is what could come next: Iranian Soldiers cross Iraqi border in Kurdish village, and take X US Troops hostage.
If true..................................
Vinnie, you misspelled his name he correct spelling is Amagonastatajihad.
The more talk about US leaving, the bolder Iran becomes. She intends to take over Iraq, and won’t that be swell.
"[Villagers] told the Guardian yesterday that at least six villages had been abandoned and one person had died following a sustained artillery barrage by Iranian forces that appeared designed to flush out guerrillas linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), who have hideouts in Iraq."
The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization internationally by a number of states and organizations, including the USA, NATO and the EU.
I'll be damned if I want U.S. forces to fight to defend Marxist PKK terrorists!
The area along the northern border is PKK territory. The Kurd regional government does not have control there -- maybe they don't even want control there. It's their call.
The tunnel-visioned (and navel-gazing) Democrats have been stuck on stupid since 1949.
Truman was president when we freed S. Korea from the Japanese in 1945
Then, Truman pulled our troops out of a militarily and politically weak S. Korea in 1949.
When S. Korea was invaded by North Korea in the following year, Truman sent troops back to S. Korea.
8,000 Americans died in the first 3 months of the Korean War.
30,000 Americans died in Korea in 30 months of Truman's presidency.
They would not have died, if Truman's administration hadn't abandoned the newly created Republic of Korea in 1949.
I believe it is Amagonagetamybuttkicked
The “PKK” in Iran (and Iran bordering areas) is PJAK. They are ideologically different from the PKK in and near Turkey.
PJAK has moved from their leftist past towards an more centrist, pro-federalist, liberal (in the classical sense, not in the US sense) position. They shouldn’t be thrown into the same bowl as the “Turkey” PKK.
Their alleged “socialist” background shouldn’t be much of an issue, since even the two great Kurdish parties (PUK, KDP) in the Authonomy were originally leftist, socialist and social-democratic. However since the cooperation with the USA they have moved towards capitalism.
Anyway since the stated goal of PJAK is the overthrow of the Islamic Regime in Iran, we SHOULD consider them a valuable ally. We have few others.
It is a dilemma. How about if we just use air power to destroy the invading Iranians just because they're where they aren't supposed to be rather than consider it defending the Communist PKK?
It's the job of Iraq to be going up there and whacking the PKK in their country not that of Iranians.
When they're both enemies both should be destroyed. Iran is our job, the Commies are the job of our allies Iraq.
By Iran and Liberals everywhere.
I don’t think Kurds are beleivable. Their intent is a war that will result in a bigger independant Kurdistan.
You have put your finger on what I think is going to become an ever-increasing problem, perhaps to the degree of the “palestinian”/Palestine” problem. From the git, the Kurds and their nation were divided by the arbitrary border-drawing whims of the same folks who at the same time also drew the “palestine” borders. The overall Kurd matter is redux of those borders. Plus, of course, the oilfields that were found to be within the former borders of what was the Kurd nation. Although the “iraqi” Kurds have been our ally in this so far, it would indeed be prudent to keep in mind the adage “enemy of my enemy”.
You have any sources supporting your contention? I’d be pleased to update my understanding of matters in Kurdistan.
The ContraCosta Times is clearly trying to sell their anti-war koolaide. This give us the perfect opportunity and PERMISSION to engage Iran.
raises the possibility of a broader confrontation that would draw the Iraqi government and U.S. forces into an unwanted showdown.WHAT!? And offend the TURKS?
Where do these guys get this stuff?
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