PROVOCATIVE PKK ATTACKS IN SE TURKEY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 002601 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV TU US IZ SUBJECT: PROVOCATIVE PKK ATTACKS IN SE TURKEY (U) Sensitive but unclassified - please protect accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: PKK terrorists have carried out attacks on Turkish security and other targets over the last 36 hours, accounting for the deaths of at least 12, and possibly more, security personnel. At least 16 security personnel were injured, along with another 17 civilians in a separate attack. Early press accounts of the attacks included allegations that upward of 10 additional security forces were missing and possibly abducted. However, Turkish General Staff (TGS) sources have not confirmed this and reporting on that aspect of the attacks is no longer being seen in most media outlets. Government leaders have appealed for the public and the media to remain calm and to refrain from pointing fingers regarding whom is to blame for this and other multiple casualty attacks carried out by terrorists over the past three weeks. President Gul chaired an emergency counter terrorism meeting beginning at 20:00 local time October 21 to discuss the attacks and the government's response (reported septel). Meanwhile, TGS sources claim at least 32 terrorist have been killed thus far in ongoing security operations at 63 separate points in the region along the Turkey-Iraq border. Ambassador condemned the attacks and expressed USG regret and support for Turkey to MFA officials, as well as in a public statement and a televised interview. END SUMMARY TERROR ATTACKS: At Least 12 Killed, Another 33 Injured -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) According to Turkish military and other sources, an unusually large force of PKK terrorists, numbering upwards of 200, carried out a coordinated attack on a Turkish military convoy carrying security forces who were pursuing terrorists who have been active in the area in recent weeks. The attack occurred on a bridge near the town of Daglica in Hakkari Province, several kilometers north of the Iraqi border. The terrorists attacked from three separate directions beginning about 00:20 local time on October 21, blowing up the bridge and opening fire on vehicles. TGS announced that 12 soldiers were killed in the ambush, with another 16 injured, several critically. These numbers are slightly lower than initial reporting that appeared in local press. Reports of another eight to ten soldiers missing and possibly abducted remain unconfirmed, and most media outlets have scaled back their reporting on this aspect of the attack. ¶3. (SBU) In a separate attack, at least one minibus traveling in a civilian convoy reportedly hit an IED buried beneath the road surface in the same general area (near Daglica) at about 13:30 local time on October 21. The convoy was traveling to a village to pick up a bride for a wedding ceremony. 17 civilians are reported as having been injured in that attack, including five children. Officials and Opposition Leaders Condemn Attack; Call For Action -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Reaction to the attacks from across the political spectrum has been strident. However, GOT officials have appealed for public calm and have sought to reassure the Turkish people that the state will react in a way and at a time that is in the nation's best interest. After casting his vote for the constitutional amendment referendum in Istanbul, PM Erdogan said that the nation's fury is high, but called for a display of national unity. "We are determined to deal with this issue with common sense... (and) will hold a meeting under the chairmanship of our President to decide what steps we will take. As our parliament had authorized us, we will do whatever necessary within the legal framework of this authorization." He urged the media to broadcast reports responsibly. ¶5. (SBU) President Gul expressed sorrow and pain on behalf of the nation. He said the Turkish people should be confident that the entire nation is together in the struggle against terrorism and that Turkey must display determination and wisdom in its next steps. In addition to the counter terror meeting convened late in the evening October 21 (septel),Gul has invited leaders of the political parties represented in parliament for meetings to be held on the morning of October 22 in an effort to maintain unity across ANKARA 00002601 002 OF 003 political party lines. He underlined the importance of preserving brotherhood within the country. Gul also said Turkey attaches a great deal of importance to the political integrity and territorial unity of Iraq...more so than some Iraqi groups. ¶6. (SBU) Deputy PM and government spokesman Cemil Cicek asked the public to remain calm, noting that protest demonstrations had taken place across the nation. He said the spontaneous demonstrations had been initiated with good intentions, but warned against the danger of "provocateurs" (NFI) getting involved. He asked the public to have full confidence in the state and security forces and repeated that "the GOT, security forces and relevant offices were continuing the fight against terrorism with full determination." Television outlets quoted Minister of Defense Vecdi Gonul as saying the government "will consider crossing the border...but not immediately." ¶7. (SBU) In addition to demonstrations in various cities around the nation, Turks have reacted both with anger and sorrow. All major television outlets have cancelled their normally scheduled live entertainment programs. The Golden Orange Film Festival and Award Ceremony in Antalya was also canceled. There have been no organized protests at mission facilities. However, there have been several isolated incidents at the embassy in which individuals or small groups drove by yelling anti-American statements. ¶8. (SBU) Opposition politicians also denounced the attacks and called for swift retaliation. Republican People's Party Chairman Deniz Baykal denounced the attack and said a "national platform against terrorism" should be established immediately. He called upon civilian and military leaders to come together and display a common resolve. Nationalist Action Party leader Devlet Bahceli said that the government should immediately determine when and how to move forward with military action authorized by parliament earlier this week, adding that a cross border operation (CBO) should definitely be launched and the "shed blood should not remain without response." He asked GOT leaders to take all necessary measures to deal with the threat to the nation, including the possibility of declaring a state of emergency. Pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) parliamentary group chairman Ahmet Turk said that his party is sorry about the incident, as they always are about such incidents. Security Operation Continues -------------- ¶9. (SBU) According to TGS sources, counter terror operations continue in Hakkari Province, in the region near where the attacks occurred. At last report, 32 PKK terrorists have been killed in the fighting, with press reports claiming that Turkish military helicopters have fired upon fleeing PKK forces. Further west along the border, in the area of the Habur Gate border crossing and Silopi, the situation remains normal. Ambassador Condemns Attacks...Voices Support for GOT -------------- -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Ambassador spoke with MFA Acting Under Secretary Ali Acet in mid-afternoon on October 21 and expressed U.S. regrets for the attacks and USG support for the GOT. He asked that MFA keep the embassy informed as matters developed. He also urged that GOT officials keep in mind the trap the PKK is attempting to set in order to precipitate Turkish military action in Iraq and drive a wedge between the GOT and authorities in Baghdad. Ambassador also spoke with Under Secretary Apakan late Sunday night to convey the same message. Acet labeled the attacks as inexcusable and said Turkey is committed to taking steps to prevent a recurrence. He added that no statements by the Iraqis, including by President Talabani or KRG President Barzani, can at this point ease the emotional outrage felt by Turks. ¶11. (SBU) Ambassador released a public statement condemning the attacks and later reiterated the points in a televised interview on NTV. The NTV correspondent, who has exceptionally good contacts with the government, military, and bureaucracy, said that he expects ANKARA 00002601 003 OF 003 Turkish air strikes against PKK encampments adjacent to Hakkari. ¶12. (SBU) COMMENT: The attack on the military convoy was unusual in its scope and the size of the force employed by the PKK. PKK attacks in recent years have involved far fewer personnel. This operation involving over 200 fighters is reminiscent of PKK attacks at the height of the anti-Turkish violence of the 1990s and demonstrates the desperate nature with which the PKK is pursuing its effort to provoke a CBO by Turkish forces and to prevent Turkish-Iraqi cooperation countering the terrorist group's operations in northern Iraq. WILSON