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Turkey-Iraq tensions rising

Atul Aneja

Ankara accused of shelling

DUBAI: Tensions between Turkey and Iraq are growing with Baghdad on Saturday accusing Ankara of cross-border shelling.

Lodging a formal protest, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a letter that Turkish shelling had caused widespread damage in northern Iraq. It pointed out those Turkish forces had for several hours on Wednesday and early morning on Thursday carried out shelling, causing large fires and substantial damage. It added that such actions "undermine confidence between the two nations and negatively affect their friendship."

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry has also summoned the Turkish ambassador amid fears that Turkish troops could carry out an incursion inside Iraq. The letter stressed that the Iraqi Government also opposed the PKK and offered help against them. "Iraq would like to take this opportunity to declare its resolve to co-operate with Turkish authorities to allay Turkey's legitimate fears through a constructive dialogue and positive co-operation."

There has been major build-up of Turkish troops and tanks close to the Iraqi border following Turkish accusations that around 4,000 PKK separatists have established bases in northern Iraq for mounting cross-border raids. The Turks have established temporary "security zones" close to the border. On Friday, a roadside bomb killed four Turkish troops in one of these security zones. The PKK has been fighting for an ethnic homeland since 1984.

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