Article

2004-07-12 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Iran army in new clashes with Turkish Kurds

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Posted by Steve 2004-07-12 8:40:25 AM|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 So Steve: "enemy of my enemy is my friend", do you mean Iran is enemy of the US, so you can call the terrorist Kongra-gel (aka PKK) your friend?

Your terrorist is good, my terrorist is bad policy? As American policy has always been.

Posted by Murat 2004-07-12 9:46:08 AM|| 2004-07-12 9:46:08 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 Actually the US (and Israel too for that matter) have helped Turkey (the Turkish Army mostly- much of the info resources bypassed the civilian govt)with material, logistics, satellite intel and other matters in Turkey's action against the PKK.

I don't think the US will help Iran because Iran can't be trusted. However, the PKK isn't going to get anything from the US. Remember the Iraqi based anti-Iran groups (which had both a terrorist component and a political component) have been quashed with US help.

Posted by mhw 2004-07-12 9:54:13 AM|| 2004-07-12 9:54:13 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 Murat,
It is TURKEY, not the US, who is who is praising IRAN. So which is it? Does democratic semi-repressive Turkey have a natural affinity for a dictatorial, repressive mullah ruled Iran, or is this a case of enemy of my enemy is my friend w.r.t Iran?
Turkish defence sources have already hailed what they described as a "large-scale" operation against the former PKK by the Iranian army.

Wasn't it US intelligence who located where the head of PKK was hiding? If so, I welcome your thanks.

Posted by ed 2004-07-12 9:55:18 AM|| 2004-07-12 9:55:18 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 I'm shamefully behind on Kurdish issues, but aren't/weren't the PKK a communist outfit? I wouldn't presume their actions were humanitarian any more than the Iranian forces' were. Too willing to use violence than is necessary. No good guys here?

Posted by Bulldog 2004-07-12 9:55:47 AM|| 2004-07-12 9:55:47 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 PKK is communist as they come and also supports suicide bombings. If they're fighting the mullahs, it's a shame that both sides can't lose.

Posted by Dan Darling 2004-07-12 10:05:08 AM|| [http://www.regnumcrucis.blogspot.com] 2004-07-12 10:05:08 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 Murat, I never said the PKK wasn't a terrorist group, they are. I'm just pointing out the fact that the government of Turkey is hailing Iran for going after one terrorist group and keeping quiet on Iran harboring al-Qaeda groups which bombed your country.

Posted by Steve 2004-07-12 10:09:09 AM|| 2004-07-12 10:09:09 AM|| Front Page Top

#7 Well Steve, America has pledged many times to move against the terrorist hideouts of the pkk in Northern Irak, but zip zero nothing has been realised so far. If Iran has the balls to act against those terrorists unlike the US we will hail them ofcourse, is that so hard to understand?

I think Turkey should pull back their troops from Afghanistan, why are we risking our boys against the alqaeda while the US ignores those PKK thugs.

Posted by Murat 2004-07-12 10:31:14 AM|| 2004-07-12 10:31:14 AM|| Front Page Top

#8 Murat,

The US has helped Turkey against the PKK in the past - many times and with both material, satellite intel and humint (the latter passed from Israel).

It is true the US hasn't wiped out the PKK in Kurdistan. That's because we are fully engaged with other terrorists (who we haven't wiped out either). Having said that, the US and the Kurdish parties have put a lid on the PKK. The PKK is being monitored and to some extent controlled and intel is continuously being sent to Turkey.

Ironically, if Turkey would have let the US invade Iraq from its territory we would have neutralized a lot more Baathists and would be able to be more effective against the PKK. So, to that extent, its Turkey's own fault.

Posted by mhw 2004-07-12 11:12:11 AM|| 2004-07-12 11:12:11 AM|| Front Page Top

#9 Terrorism is a tactic, and I think we need to be against it. Let's Train Arm Equip Clothe and Feed the PKK so they can fight properly.

Everyone would be happier, except Turkey, who turned their back on us when we needed them.

Posted by flash91 2004-07-12 11:25:26 AM|| 2004-07-12 11:25:26 AM|| Front Page Top

#10 ..why are we risking our boys against the alqaeda while the US ignores those PKK thugs.

Ooooh, he wants reciprocal action! Say, what about that second front that we had wanted to open up in Iraq in the north? Did we get any cooperation from Turkey on that?

Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2004-07-12 11:28:46 AM|| 2004-07-12 11:28:46 AM|| Front Page Top

#11 Murat - your back with intelligent posts - actually the only reason turkey is in afganistan is to restablish it's historical influence in the region..

Posted by Dan 2004-07-12 11:54:27 AM|| 2004-07-12 11:54:27 AM|| Front Page Top

#12 Murat, Iâve watched for over a year as youâve gleefully posted articles on US soldiers dying. Youâve been very effective at generating anti-Turkey feeling at Rantburg.

Fortunately, I went to school with a Turkish graduate student so you donât represent all of Turkey to me. Iâm aware that Turkey is in a tough political spot. As a secular Muslim country trying to enter the EU and having a large Kurdish minority, it is hard for Turkey to support the US in Iraq. Iâm also aware that Turkey has a long history of being a strong US ally.

The US needs Turkey and Turkey needs the US. Nobody needs Murat.

Posted by Anonymous5032 2004-07-12 12:12:15 PM|| 2004-07-12 12:12:15 PM|| Front Page Top

#13 I agree with Murat.
The Turksih forces need to be withdrawn from Afghanistan.

I've never felt comfortable having Turkish forces on our flank.... not since about 1950. Defensive genius indeed LOL!

Posted by Shipman 2004-07-12 1:19:13 PM|| 2004-07-12 1:19:13 PM|| Front Page Top

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