TURKISH FORCES FIRE ON PKK CAMP IN NORTHERN IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002867 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2107 TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR TU SUBJECT: TURKISH FORCES FIRE ON PKK CAMP IN NORTHERN IRAQ Classified By: DCM NANCY McELDOWNEY for reasons 1.4(b),(d) ¶1. (C) Summary. Turkish artillery fired on a terrorist PKK camp in the eastern Zap region along Iraq's northern border from 10:38 til 11:05 Zulu December 1. In two announcements made following the action, the Turkish General Staff (TGS) confirmed the operation, asserting TGS forces killed 30 PKKers in a strike on 50-60 PKKers targeted in Iraqi territory. A later TGS announcement stressed the operation was aimed solely at the PKK; Turkish forces would not target northern Iraqis or local groups unless they took hostile action against Turkish forces. Both announcements stated Turkey will continue military operations based on intelligence reports, as authorized by the GOT. A spokesman for Massoud Barzani reportedly denied a Turkish strike had occurred. We have confirmed the December 1 operation was solely an artillery strike, despite Turkish and Western press reports. End summary. ¶2. (C) The Turkish action took place pursuant to the cooperation launched following PM Erdogan's November 5 meeting with President Bush. A cluster of likely PKK personnel was identified in our Combined Intelligence Fusion Cell (CIFC),and a senior Turkish military officer ordered the artillery fire, which was carried out from within Turkey. Overall coordination with us matched that in three previous artillery strikes against suspected PKK locations within the last week -- all strikes that hit wide of their target. Information from the scene indicates the December 1 artillery strike hit near its intended target. It is impossible to determine at this point if casualties resulted. ¶3. (C) Within an hour of the strike, CHOD General Buyukanit called Ambassador to thank the US for its help. He commended US-Turkish efforts since November 5. He had earlier spoken with Erdogan and other government officials and said he would similarly call CJCS Admiral Mullen to express appreciation. Buyukanit told Ambassador further actions will take place as opportunities arise, and Turkey will continue to be completely transparent in its dealing with us on this issue. Buyukanit referred only to artillery fire that had apparently been successful and not to any other forces being used, but also suggested that further operations near the December 1 strike might be conducted from the air. We understand the weather in northern Iraq is marginal for further Turkish operations on December 2. That said, Turkish planners are intensely focused on the eastern Zap region, where they believe significant numbers of PKK fighters are (or were before December 1) located. We will advise as further information is available. We have every reason to believe that coordination mechanisms with our military will continue to be honored. ¶4. (U) Initial reporting in the Turkish media is wide-ranging. Media attributed actionable intelligence obtained from the USG with helping TGS locate the PKK targets. In addition to reports that Cobra helicopters bombed the PKK camp along with artillery fire, some media reported that a unit of 100 special forces crossed the border and carried out a strike. A military official told "Radikal", "From now on, anything can happen anytime," leading the daily to conclude land forces might also launch an anti-PKK operation in northern Iraq, despite winter conditions. Erdogan responded to questions by noting the GOT has tried to work the issue politically and diplomatically at home and abroad. "The issue does not have a sole dimension," he said, adding, "This is not solely a cross border operation." ¶5. (C) Ambassador has been in touch with a key aide to Erdogan to urge that government statements include a positive reference to Turkey's cooperation with the US. Ambassador is reiterating this in his conversations December 2, and repeating to Turkish officials previous appeals from various USG officials that Turkey be in direct contact with Iraq in advance of, or at least simultaneous with, the initiation of Turkish military actions. That said, both Turkey and Iraq will likely view the December 1 artillery strike as akin to fire that has taken place over the last couple of months and therefore not regard it as the "cross border operation" under public discussion for weeks. ANKARA 00002867 002 OF 002 Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON