WARNING FROM TURKISH FORCES COMMANDER ON IRAQ

S E C R E T ANKARA 001600 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2017 TAGS: PREL PTER EUN TU US SUBJECT: WARNING FROM TURKISH FORCES COMMANDER ON IRAQ BORDER REF: A. IIR 6 898 0417 07 ¶B. ANKARA 1352 Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson, reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (S) Mission LNO on Turkey's border with Iraq was called in urgently the evening of June 21 by the local Turkish Special Forces brigade chief of staff and G-3 to be advised of intelligence on PKK plans to attack Turkish forces stationed in Iraq and receive notice of Turkey's intention to retaliate if this or other actions against Turkish forces occur. LNO characterized the local Turkish force chief of staff's notice as serious and aggressive in tone (ref a). ¶2. (S) LNO pressed repeatedly for detail on the intelligence regarding a PKK attack on Turkish forces in Iraq. The local personnel he met with indicated it will be provided when cleared. They indicated that the decision was made "one month ago," referring to the June 2 incident in Suleymaniyah when Peshmerga confronted Turkish special forces traveling out of uniform but with weapons (ref b). TGS DCHOD told us at the time that Turkey would respond forcefully if there was a repeat of this incident. The Turks were emotional throughout the brief conservation with our LNO and told him to get the word out to US commanders in northern Iraq. Information on this passed Thursday evening to MND-N and Friday to Gen. Petraeus. ¶3. (S) Mission will discuss this with the Turkish General Staff (TGS),Turkish National Intelligence Organization (TNIO),and Foreign Ministry today to learn more about the alleged intelligence of a PKK attack, to caution again against action that would destabilize Iraq and northern Iraq, and urge the Turks to use channels with MNF-I to seek reassurance as to the protections afforded to Turkish forces stationed in Iraq. Among other contacts, Ambassador and visiting USAFE Commander Gen. Hobbins will meet with CHOD Gen. Buyukanit on June 22. ¶4. (S) Comment: We believe that this is an "if, then" warning and does not indicate any immediate intention to act, but the context is disturbing. End Comment. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON