REPORTS OF MILITARY ACTIVITY ON TURKEY-IRAQ BORDER

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004701 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2026 TAGS: MOPS PREL PTER IZ TU SUBJECT: REPORTS OF MILITARY ACTIVITY ON TURKEY-IRAQ BORDER UNSUBSTANTIATED Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Recent Turkish press reports have suggested an escalation of Turkish military activity near the border with Iraq. An August 9 press report quoted Kurdish media sources claiming Turkish forces engaged in sustained artillery fire across the border on August 7-8. Masud Barzani was quoted on August 11 as claiming Turkey had bombarded targets in northern Iraq four times in July. According to a series of press reports during the past week, Turkish troops and equipment continue to stream towards the border. ¶2. (C) There is no evidence to confirm these reports, which the Turkish press often picks up from Kurdish sources. Turkish forces have previously told our U.S. military liaison officer based in Silopi that they occasionally fire across the border (with small arms and RPGs),particularly at night and in response to suspicious movement. However, when questioned recently by our LNO, Turkish Special Forces officers operating in the region denied reports of cross-border artillery fire. Moreover, our LNO reports no complaints from Iraqi or Kurdish security officials of cross border fire in recent weeks, while noting that Kurdish officials had approached him in the past to report cross-border fire. ¶3. (C) Following the August 1-4 Supreme Military Council (YAS) meeting to decide on the promotion, retirement and dismissal of Turkish officers, several major changes will be made within forces that play a large role in combating the PKK in southeastern Turkey. As of August 30, Jandarma Commander GEN Turkeri will retire and current DCHOD GEN Kosaner will succeed him. The rank of the Special Forces Commander will be elevated from two-star to three-star general. The Turkish General Staff also decided to add a new division command in the district of Hakkari. Given these developments, a major cross-border offensive would not appear imminent, although Turkish forces remain positioned to undertake a limited CBO with little advance warning. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON