Turkey launches airstrikes against Kurdish rebels
{{date|October 24, 2007}}
[[Image:Kurdish-inhabited area by CIA (1992).jpg|thumb|right|Map of Kurdish-inhabited area, circa 1992]]
According to reports, [[Turkey]] has today launched airstrikes against [[w:Kurdistan Workers Party|Kurdistan Workers Party]] (PKK) bases near the border to [[Iraq]]. [[w:F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16]] fighter jets and [[w:helicopter gunships|helicopter gunships]] are said to have bombed targets on both sides of the border.

Turkish officials said that a major incursion was not implemented at this time to give [[w:diplomacy|diplomacy]] a final chance. An Iraqi delegation, headed by defense minister [[w:Qadir Obeidi|Qadir Obeidi]] (aka Abdel Qader Jassim), is scheduled to visit Turkey on Thursday.

"We do not accept in any way... the use of Iraqi territories, including the territories of the Kurdistan region, as a base to threaten the security of neighbouring countries," [[w:Massoud Barzani|Massoud Barzani]], president of the [[w:Kurdistan Regional Government|Kurdistan Regional Government]], said in a statement condemning the PKK.

"We are concerned about the continuing skirmishes that are happening up there, and terrorist attacks that are being launched by the PKK against the Turks," [[w:White House Press Secretary|White House Press Secretary]] [[w:Dana Perino|Dana Perino]] said.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Related news ==
*{{wikinews|title=Turkey preparing for incursion into Iraq after PKK militants kill 17 soldiers|date=October 21, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=Turkish Parliament approves military action in Iraq|date=October 18, 2007}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL1354608620071024
|title=Turkish planes bomb Iraq village, no major incursion
|author=David Clarke and Thomas Grove
|pub=Reuters
|date=October 24, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7059721.stm
|title=Turkish raids along Iraqi border
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=October 24, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2730803.ece
|title=Turkey shells Kurdish targets in Iraq
|author=Deborah Haynes, David Byers and Nico Hines
|pub=The Times
|date=October 24, 2007}}

{{publish}}
{{archived}}

[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:Turkey]]
[[Category:Iraq]]
[[Category:Kurdistan Workers' Party]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Kurdistan (Iraq)]]

[[pt:Turquia lança ataques aéreos contra rebeldes curdos]]
Map of Kurdish-inhabited area, circa 1992
According to reports, Turkey has today launched airstrikes against Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) bases near the border to Iraq. F-16 fighter jets and helicopter gunships are said to have bombed targets on both sides of the border.

Turkish officials said that a major incursion was not implemented at this time to give diplomacy a final chance. An Iraqi delegation, headed by defense minister Qadir Obeidi (aka Abdel Qader Jassim), is scheduled to visit Turkey on Thursday.

"We do not accept in any way... the use of Iraqi territories, including the territories of the Kurdistan region, as a base to threaten the security of neighbouring countries," Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Regional Government, said in a statement condemning the PKK.

"We are concerned about the continuing skirmishes that are happening up there, and terrorist attacks that are being launched by the PKK against the Turks," White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said.


Turquia lança ataques aéreos contra rebeldes curdos
Politics and conflicts Middle East Turkey Iraq Kurdistan Workers' Party Europe Asia Kurdistan (Iraq)