Germany concerned over Turkish air force bombings in northern Iraq
Iraq-Turkey-Germany, Politics, 12/18/2007

The German Foreign Ministry expressed "concern" over the latest wave of Turkish air force attacks on northern Iraq.

Talking to journalists, deputy foreign minister Julia Gross urged all sides to exercise restraint. Gross reiterated "Turkey's right to defend itself against terrorist attacks." She stressed the need to avoid a further destabilization of the region.

According to Turkish media reports, the Turkish air force received green light from the United States for its attacks on positions of the banned Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq.

The US forces in Iraq had opened the airspace for the Turkish fighter jets, the Turkish chief of general staff, Yasar Buyukanit was quoted as saying by Turkish newspapers on Monday.

Intelligence agency information had also been made available, it was said. The Turkish Air Force on Sunday launched several sorties on the PKK in the northern Iraqi border region with Turkey, among them the suspected headquarters of the underground organization.

The long-time conflict between the PKK and Turkey escalated after PKK terrorists had repeatedly killed soldiers in assaults on the Turkish side of the border.

The PKK is labeled a terrorist organization in Germany and the European Union.

Previous Stories:
  Bush says Turkey and US to fight PKK Kurdish group   (11/6/2007)
  Turkish soldiers released by Kurdish rebels   (11/6/2007)
  Turkey urged restraint on Iraq invasion after clashes with PKK   (10/23/2007)
  Turkey urged restraint on Iraq invasion after clashes with PKK   (10/23/2007)

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