Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA2768
2007-11-14 14:36:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY: REPORTS OF STRIKES INTO IRAQ UNCONFIRMED
how-toVZCZCXYZ0022 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHAK #2768 3181436 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 141436Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4361 INFO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 1066 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/39ABG INCIRLIK AB TU PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3/J-5// PRIORITY RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDP:PDUSDP/ISA:EUR/ISA:NESA/DSCA// PRIORITY RUEHAK/USDAO ANKARA TU PRIORITY
S E C R E T ANKARA 002768
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS IZ TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: REPORTS OF STRIKES INTO IRAQ UNCONFIRMED
REF: IIR 6 898 0146 08
Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
S E C R E T ANKARA 002768
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS IZ TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: REPORTS OF STRIKES INTO IRAQ UNCONFIRMED
REF: IIR 6 898 0146 08
Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S) Summary: Intensive counter-terror operations continue
in the Southeast and along the Turkey-Iraq border. However,
there is no evidence to confirm November 13 press reports of
Turkish air strikes against PKK targets inside northern Iraq.
Prime Minister Erdogan publicly denied knowledge of the
strikes and a senior Turkish military officer told us no
large scale attacks had occurred. Meanwhile, four Turkish
soldiers were reported killed in November 13 clashes with the
PKK. According to DAO reporting, tanks departed from a
Turkish garrison near Silopi but our preliminary assessment
is that they are deployed within Turkey. End summary.
2. (U) Turkish and international media reported on November
13 that Turkish helicopter gunships attacked suspected PKK
terrorist positions inside northern Iraq. In reports sourced
to unnamed Iraqi officials, several vacant villages were said
to have been hit, with no casualties. The popular Turkish
daily Zaman reported that Iraqi officials had confirmed that
jet fighters bombed an abandoned PKK checkpoint in the
Vansora region and were said to have struck at the villages
of Pirbela, Birsaka, and Avasin in the vicinity of Zakho.
However, KRG Spokesman Jamal Abdullah denied any Turkish
cross-border activity.
3. (S) Prime Minister Erdogan told reporters on November 13
that he did not know anything about the reported attacks.
Major General Kenan Kocak, TGS J-3 Chief of Plans and
Operations, would not discuss with us details of Turkish
operations along the Turkey-Iraq border but told us that no
major operations were underway. He added that US authorities
would be informed prior to any significant action. According
to DAO sources (ref),Turkish tanks stationed at TF Akrep
near Silopi had all departed the base as of November 13.
They apparently deployed under their own power and not on
Heavy Equipment Transports (HETs),suggesting that they are
not deployed far from garrison.
4. (S) Comment: Our ability to detect Turkish military
operations in the border region remains limited and we expect
such reports to reoccur. While significant counter-terror
operations continue in the Southeast and along the border,
including some cross-border shelling, we expect the Turks
will inform us prior to conducting significant operations.
End Comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS IZ TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: REPORTS OF STRIKES INTO IRAQ UNCONFIRMED
REF: IIR 6 898 0146 08
Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S) Summary: Intensive counter-terror operations continue
in the Southeast and along the Turkey-Iraq border. However,
there is no evidence to confirm November 13 press reports of
Turkish air strikes against PKK targets inside northern Iraq.
Prime Minister Erdogan publicly denied knowledge of the
strikes and a senior Turkish military officer told us no
large scale attacks had occurred. Meanwhile, four Turkish
soldiers were reported killed in November 13 clashes with the
PKK. According to DAO reporting, tanks departed from a
Turkish garrison near Silopi but our preliminary assessment
is that they are deployed within Turkey. End summary.
2. (U) Turkish and international media reported on November
13 that Turkish helicopter gunships attacked suspected PKK
terrorist positions inside northern Iraq. In reports sourced
to unnamed Iraqi officials, several vacant villages were said
to have been hit, with no casualties. The popular Turkish
daily Zaman reported that Iraqi officials had confirmed that
jet fighters bombed an abandoned PKK checkpoint in the
Vansora region and were said to have struck at the villages
of Pirbela, Birsaka, and Avasin in the vicinity of Zakho.
However, KRG Spokesman Jamal Abdullah denied any Turkish
cross-border activity.
3. (S) Prime Minister Erdogan told reporters on November 13
that he did not know anything about the reported attacks.
Major General Kenan Kocak, TGS J-3 Chief of Plans and
Operations, would not discuss with us details of Turkish
operations along the Turkey-Iraq border but told us that no
major operations were underway. He added that US authorities
would be informed prior to any significant action. According
to DAO sources (ref),Turkish tanks stationed at TF Akrep
near Silopi had all departed the base as of November 13.
They apparently deployed under their own power and not on
Heavy Equipment Transports (HETs),suggesting that they are
not deployed far from garrison.
4. (S) Comment: Our ability to detect Turkish military
operations in the border region remains limited and we expect
such reports to reoccur. While significant counter-terror
operations continue in the Southeast and along the border,
including some cross-border shelling, we expect the Turks
will inform us prior to conducting significant operations.
End Comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON