Silopi (Turkey): More than 1,000 Turkish commandos moved into Northern Iraq in
armoured vehicles, a military official said, a reminder to Iraqi Kurds of the power
of their Northern neighbour and to Washington that Turkey's interests cannot be
ignored.
The military move came on March 21, the same day that US Secretary of State Colin
Powell said, "We don't see any need for any Turkish incursions into Northern
Iraq."
Powell spoke after Turkey delayed opening its airspace to US warplanes for strikes
against Iraq, insisting the US agree to its demands to move troops into Northern
Iraq. Turkey later dropped the demand and allowed the overflights.
Turkey sent 1,000 troops on M-113 armoured personnel carriers into Northern Iraq
from near the town of Cukurca, were the borders of Turkey, Iraq and Iran converge, a
military official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The unit reinforces several thousand Turkish troops already in Iraq to fight Turkish
Kurdish rebels who have bases in the area. Some of the existing Turkish troops in
Northern Iraq were repositioned on March 21 to strategic hilltops, the military
official said.
