Article

2007-10-19 Iraq

Kurds in northern Iraq warned on Friday that they will defend themselves against any Turkey

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Posted by JohnQC 2007-10-19 16:28|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top

#1 I wonder what would happen if the Kurds captured a Turkish military unit, then marched them back across the border without their gear.

Posted by Anonymoose 2007-10-19 19:26|| 2007-10-19 19:26|| Front Page Top

#2 ... and stark naked at that, moose. That would be hilarious, beside ... ehm, humiliayshun.

Posted by twobyfour 2007-10-19 19:44|| http://www.twobyfour.info]">[http://www.twobyfour.info] 2007-10-19 19:44|| Front Page Top

#3 The Turks gave up ANY rights to do anything other than negotiate with the Kurds when they refused to allow us to open the Northern Front through their territoriy with the 4th ID. They had the opportunity to come in and "secure" those areas but were too busy figuratively flipping us the bird.

So Tuks, too friggen bad. You made the mess, now deal with it- the Kurds are our friends and we will help them. You neter their sovereign terriroty and we will arm them to chase you out.

Posted by OldSpook 2007-10-19 20:53|| 2007-10-19 20:53|| Front Page Top

#4 Hopefully Spook.
However, the US and several administrations have a nasty habit of abandoning our allies at the pivotal moment. I can see us cutting the Kurds loose to keep the bases and to give for hopeful future favors. It will be the final nail in any peaceful future dealings with the Middle East and doom us to a future long and bloody war to the ultimate end.

Posted by DarthVader">DarthVader 2007-10-19 21:09|| 2007-10-19 21:09|| Front Page Top

#5 commie Kurds. It will be a plus for the Kurd nation if they let the Turks lance a PKK boil..trick is to push them to the Turk hammer/anvil

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2007-10-19 21:11|| 2007-10-19 21:11|| Front Page Top

#6 Uniformed, armed Turkeys on the march!!!

Posted by Steven 2007-10-19 21:51|| 2007-10-19 21:51|| Front Page Top

#7 From what I've heard, the Turkish army is pretty tough and competant. Kurds have an advantage in small encounters in the mountains. A Turkish force over the border might be a different matter.

Posted by lotp 2007-10-19 22:49|| 2007-10-19 22:49|| Front Page Top

#8 Problem is if they do come over the border in force, the Peshmerga will be on them like ugly on a monkey. And then the body bags go back to Ankara. The Turks need to concentrate on their side of the border, and realize the PKK is the price they are paying for not taking thier part up when asked. Sometimes you have to just suck it up and Go - and the Turks are only now realizing it.

They toss us from Incirlik, they will NEVER get in the the EU, and the US will side with Greece in all those disputes, and that will only embolden Romania as well as the former Soviet states in the area. We can replace the bases here and there, not well, but effectively enough. They, on the other hand, will be unable to stop enthnic violence as those whom they have brutally repressed will not back donw once they get started.

"Sucks to be you" would be my diplomatic response, along with pictures of US Army SF trainers with the Kurds near the border, directing AC-130 fire on practice targets.

Unlike the picture some paint, this is not a good spot for the Turks *IF* Bush has the courage. WHat they are betting on is that he will be a wimp and sell out the Kurds. Time to see if George is what I suspect he is - a spineless frat boy who will sell out an ally instead of standing strong and forcing the issue from all sides.

Posted by OldSpook 2007-10-19 23:19|| 2007-10-19 23:19|| Front Page Top

#9 For an example of a modern armored force getting hammered by well trainined locals, just look at the Russians and Chechnya. And consider the Turks are not as good as the Russians, and the Kurds are far better armed and trained an experienced than the Chechens.

Posted by OldSpook 2007-10-19 23:21|| 2007-10-19 23:21|| Front Page Top

#10 OldSpook, the precedent is the Panjshir Valley. Remember those destroyed tanks lining mountain roads.

Posted by phil_b 2007-10-19 23:28|| 2007-10-19 23:28|| Front Page Top

23:44 Kirk
23:31 Zenster
23:29 OldSpook
23:28 phil_b
23:22 phil_b
23:21 Icerigger
23:21 OldSpook
23:19 OldSpook
23:19 Frank G
23:17 Grandpa Simpson
23:10 OldSpook
23:09 Barbara Skolaut
23:08 Redneck Jim
23:08 Frank G
22:59 SteveS
22:54 SteveS
22:52 lotp
22:49 lotp
22:34 SteveS
22:16 Red Dawg
22:16 JosephMendiola
22:11 JosephMendiola
22:08 Zenster
22:07 JosephMendiola