Syria gives backing to possible Turkish incursion into Iraq

[No Limit]

Source: AFP

ANKARA (AFP) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday said he would support a Turkish incursion into northern Iraq against Kurdish rebels, as the parliament in Ankara met to vote for military action.

"We support the decisions the Turkish government has put on its agenda against terrorism and terrorist activities," Assad told reporters after talks with Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul. "We see this as Turkey's legitimate right."

He was speaking shortly before the Turkish parliament was expected to approve a government motion seeking authorisation for cross-border operations into neighbouring northern Iraq to pursue Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) rebels based there.

Turkey says some 3,500 PKK militants enjoy safe haven in autonomous Kurdish-held northern Iraq, which they use as a springboard for attacks on Turkish territory.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071017/wl_mideast_afp/turkeyiraqkurdsunrestsyria_071017170327

Anyone think Turkey will actually do this? I have a hard time beleiving they will, but if they did I think its safe to say we are all ****ed.

 

[The Monkey]

I don't think Turkey would risk its relationship with Europe and the US by invading northern Iraq. If they do, EU won't want to let them in.

 

[No Limit]

Looks like the vote passed:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g-JACY88KArTlsyzhy4MjrGPhiggD8SB29304

Lawmakers voted 507-19 in favor of empowering the government to order the military to cross into Iraq over a one-year period. Turkish leaders have stressed that an offensive against the rebels of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, would not immediately follow the expected authorization.

 

[Solaris]

Victory to the KWP!

 

[PvtRyan]

What's the US going to say?

"No, it's wrong to invade countries illegitimately!"

 

[DreamThrall]

Man, I feel so ignorant about the whole Middle East situation... I had no idea this facet of it even existed. Its like a damn soap opera the way there are so many different alliances and enemies, etc.

 

[CptStern]

dont you work for the US military ..something like missile guidance or something? shouldnt you know who you're targeting with the wtfpwn-bomb?

 

[Nemesis6]

Victory to the KWP!

Yeah, that makes sense... :upstare:

 

[K e r b e r o s]

Anyone think Turkey will actually do this? I have a hard time beleiving they will, but if they did I think its safe to say we are all ****ed.

Sure, why not? Kurdish rebels have been attacking they're checkpoints and convoys ever since the government officially deployed reserves to the Turko-Iraqi border.

... and of course Assads going to support a Turkish invasion into Kurdistan, simply because it obfuscates Syria's involvement in Iraq, however unofficial.