Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA4701
2006-08-11 14:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
REPORTS OF MILITARY ACTIVITY ON TURKEY-IRAQ BORDER
how-toVZCZCXYZ0018 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHAK #4701 2231458 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 111458Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7920 INFO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0711 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL PRIORITY 1085 RUEHAK/USDAO ANKARA TU PRIORITY RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3/J-5// PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDP:PDUSDP/ISA:EUR/ISA:NESA/DSCA// PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RHMFISS/425ABS IZMIR TU//CC// PRIORITY RHMFISS/39ABG INCIRLIK AB TU PRIORITY
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).
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
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