Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA6429
2006-11-16 14:50:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKISH TROOPS IN THE SOUTHEAST STAYING PUT FOR NOW
how-toVZCZCXRO1105 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHAK #6429 3201450 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 161450Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9955 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHAK/USDAO ANKARA TU PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDP:PDUSDP/ISA:EUR/ISA:NESA/DSCA// PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3/J-5// PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU PRIORITY RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY
S E C R E T ANKARA 006429
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2026
TAGS: PREL MOPS PTER TU IZ IR
SUBJECT: TURKISH TROOPS IN THE SOUTHEAST STAYING PUT FOR NOW
REF: A. ANKARA 6419
B. ANKARA 2449
C. ANKARA 5738
Classified By: CDA Nancy McEldowney, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T ANKARA 006429
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2026
TAGS: PREL MOPS PTER TU IZ IR
SUBJECT: TURKISH TROOPS IN THE SOUTHEAST STAYING PUT FOR NOW
REF: A. ANKARA 6419
B. ANKARA 2449
C. ANKARA 5738
Classified By: CDA Nancy McEldowney, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S/NF) SUMMARY: In past years, the annual December
snowfall prompted the re-deployment of Turkish troops away
from the Iraqi border region back to bases in the West.
However, given the increased intensity of the PKK terrorist
campaign this summer and continued low-level engagement with
Turkish security forces despite a PKK cease-fire, we expect
that not all of the troops and artillery deployed to the
southeast will return to their garrisons. Some will likely
remain deployed to conduct winter operations and prepare for
an anticipated PKK spring offensive in 2007. END SUMMARY.
2. (S/NF) The PKK's unilateral cease-fire, which began on
October 1 (ref c),has resulted in fewer clashes between
Turkish security forces and PKK terrorists, but IED
explosions and sporadic fighting continue. According to the
Turkish press, the military leadership stated on October 30
that there had been no decline in terrorist attacks since the
initiation of the cease-fire (a claim which is not borne out
by open-source information in the Turkish press and TGS's own
website listing of PKK attacks),possibly signaling their
intention to maintain an active posture.
3. (S/NF) Following a significant up-tick in PKK attacks this
summer, between 9-10,000 troops were deployed from bases in
western Turkey to the southeast to augment the 200,000 troops
assigned to the 2nd Army based in Diyarbakir. We expect some
of those troops to remain either at winterized base camps or
at garrisons in the southeast to respond to PKK activities
throughout the winter and into the spring. By leaving troops
and artillery in place, the military would also be better
prepared to initiate action against the PKK once the snow
melts.
4. (S/NF) Several battalions have headed back to their homes
bases in central or western Turkey, but others remain in
place. The Turkish Special Forces Commander in Silopi
notified the US Liaison Officer there that Turkish troops
have been withdrawn for the winter from their five seasonal
mountain-top observation posts in Iraq. At the same time,
however, up to 300 troops are preparing to deploy to the
southeast to support the recently established Third Tactical
Infantry Division Headquarters in Yuksekova (Hakkari
province).
5. (S/NF) For those returning to their home bases in the
West, the pace of re-deployment will depend primarily on
local weather conditions, which are not yet severe, but also
on the recent flash flooding in the Diyarbakir province
following heavy rains there, which has impeded travel. By
early December the majority of re-deployments should be
completed, and we will have a more accurate picture of the
remaining troop and equipment presence.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
MCELDOWNEY
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2026
TAGS: PREL MOPS PTER TU IZ IR
SUBJECT: TURKISH TROOPS IN THE SOUTHEAST STAYING PUT FOR NOW
REF: A. ANKARA 6419
B. ANKARA 2449
C. ANKARA 5738
Classified By: CDA Nancy McEldowney, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S/NF) SUMMARY: In past years, the annual December
snowfall prompted the re-deployment of Turkish troops away
from the Iraqi border region back to bases in the West.
However, given the increased intensity of the PKK terrorist
campaign this summer and continued low-level engagement with
Turkish security forces despite a PKK cease-fire, we expect
that not all of the troops and artillery deployed to the
southeast will return to their garrisons. Some will likely
remain deployed to conduct winter operations and prepare for
an anticipated PKK spring offensive in 2007. END SUMMARY.
2. (S/NF) The PKK's unilateral cease-fire, which began on
October 1 (ref c),has resulted in fewer clashes between
Turkish security forces and PKK terrorists, but IED
explosions and sporadic fighting continue. According to the
Turkish press, the military leadership stated on October 30
that there had been no decline in terrorist attacks since the
initiation of the cease-fire (a claim which is not borne out
by open-source information in the Turkish press and TGS's own
website listing of PKK attacks),possibly signaling their
intention to maintain an active posture.
3. (S/NF) Following a significant up-tick in PKK attacks this
summer, between 9-10,000 troops were deployed from bases in
western Turkey to the southeast to augment the 200,000 troops
assigned to the 2nd Army based in Diyarbakir. We expect some
of those troops to remain either at winterized base camps or
at garrisons in the southeast to respond to PKK activities
throughout the winter and into the spring. By leaving troops
and artillery in place, the military would also be better
prepared to initiate action against the PKK once the snow
melts.
4. (S/NF) Several battalions have headed back to their homes
bases in central or western Turkey, but others remain in
place. The Turkish Special Forces Commander in Silopi
notified the US Liaison Officer there that Turkish troops
have been withdrawn for the winter from their five seasonal
mountain-top observation posts in Iraq. At the same time,
however, up to 300 troops are preparing to deploy to the
southeast to support the recently established Third Tactical
Infantry Division Headquarters in Yuksekova (Hakkari
province).
5. (S/NF) For those returning to their home bases in the
West, the pace of re-deployment will depend primarily on
local weather conditions, which are not yet severe, but also
on the recent flash flooding in the Diyarbakir province
following heavy rains there, which has impeded travel. By
early December the majority of re-deployments should be
completed, and we will have a more accurate picture of the
remaining troop and equipment presence.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
MCELDOWNEY