Yesterday, Chief of General Staff Yasar Buyukanit said that from the military perspective an operation into Northern Iraq should be done, however a political decision should be made in order to stage such an operation. He added that Northern Iraq is a training field for the PKK and gives logistical support to the terrorists.

The frequency of terrorist activities of PKK increased as the weather conditions become warmer. Recently, 10 Turkish soldiers lost their lives during the clashes between PKK and Turkish army. Moreover, terrorists with explosives are being arrested every passing day. The absence of a certain authority in Northern Iraq makes this region an attractive place for terrorist groups and illegal organizations. Under these circumstances, Turkish army perceives a military operation as a necessity.

This kind of a possibility really disturbs the US and it always states that Turkey should not take a unilateral decision and make an operation in N. Iraq. It might be true that Turkey to move unilaterally and make an operation in N. Iraq would be so wrong. However, Turkey does not need advice, but the cooperative support of the US in its fight against terrorism. Moreover, it should be recalled that when the US decided to start a war in Iraq it did not asked for any permission from the international community. In fact, it started its preemptive operations in Iraq in spite of the international and domestic opposition. Also, in Turkey’s situation Turkey fights with an organization that is accepted as a terrorist group by all over the world.

Actually, Turkey always tries to avoid from unilateral movements. Even though it has dealt with this terror issue for more than 20 years and has some problems with its neighbors, it always has looked for ways of diplomatic solutions. In this context, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Levent Bilman’s statements are a clear evidence of Turkey’s efforts for a peaceful solution in N. Iraq.  In his weekly press briefing, Mr. Bilman said that Turkey has transmitted a diplomatic note concerning security issues and asked Iraq to assure border security; arrest PKK terrorists and extradite them to Turkey. He also stated that Turkey supports Iraq’s territorial integrity and political unity.

In January, PM Erdogan stated that for the resolution the PKK problem no concrete steps had been taken by the US and gave the signals of a possible operation. More than three months has passed and the terrorist camps are still open in Northern Iraq. Also, there is a tendency of rise in terrorist attacks of PKK in Turkey. Now, Turkey once more tries for a solution through diplomatic channels and respects to the sovereignty of the Central government in Baghdad.

A military intervention might or should be the last option. However, this is the election year and the government has no such a broad maneuvering area. Even under these circumstances government tries to cooperate with the Iraqi government.

Can Baghdad take concrete steps and eliminate PKK terrorists in Northern Iraq? Remembering the blasts in the Iraqi parliament’s cafeteria just yesterday, it seems a low possibility that Iraq to resolve this PKK problem. However, the US can start with taking concrete steps against PKK terrorist organization that freely moves in N. Iraq, if it is sincere in its support for Turkey’s fight against terrorism, since the US has the control power in Iraq.

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