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Erdogan warns Kurds against seizing control of Kirkuk

Atul Aneja

Ankara fears independent state in the oil-rich region

DUBAI: Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has warned that his country would not remain passive if Iraqi Kurds seized exclusive control over the oil rich northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk. Turkey fears that in case the Kurds seize Kirkuk, they would have the resources to carve out an independent state. Such an eventuality could turn Turkey's own Kurdish population restive and encourage possible secession. Ankara has earlier accused the Kurds of boosting their number in Kirkuk, ahead of a referendum on the status of the Kurdish region.

It has said the Kurds are making demographic changes to undermine the numerical strength of the Turkomans, who have been Turkey's close allies. "There are efforts to alter the demographic structure of Kirkuk. We cannot remain a bystander to such developments," Mr. Erdogan told members of his ruling AK Party.

He said changes could intensify internal conflict in Iraq, and would have a regional impact.

Battle in Baghdad

Iraqi and American forces battled Sunni fighters for hours in Baghdad's Haifa Street. A Defence Ministry spokesman claimed that 50 militants were killed and 21 were captured.

Those who were seized included seven foreign Arabs, including three Syrians, a Sudanese and three others.

A government spokesman blamed loyalists of the former Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein, of giving sanctuary to foreign fighters.

A staff member of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has been killed in Baghdad.

Controversy

The controversy surrounding the circumstances in which Saddam was executed on December 30 has continued to rage in the region.

A new video has now surfaced on the Internet, showing a deep wound on the former President's neck following his hanging. The footage shows the body lying on a hospital trolley.

His throat is red because of the wound, and his head is sharply inclined to one side. A mobile phone appears to have been used for filming the video.

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