Virgil
02-29-2008, 06:00 PM
http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/JB26Ak01.html
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Feb 26, 2008
Page 1 of 2
Turkey's offensive comes at a price
By M K Bhadrakumar
The high Qandil mountains and deep gorges on the northern Iraqi border region with Iran must be one of the world's most ideal terrains for guerrilla war. That is where the fighters of the separatist Turkish Kurdish movement the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have set up its headquarters. The PKK is close enough to the Turkish border to stage its guerrilla attacks and can easily frustrate "hot pursuits" by the Turkish army.
There is a popular saying that Kurds have no friends but the mountains. The region offers one of the world's spectacular natural fortresses, virtually impossible to penetrate. Especially so in the winter with heavy snowfall, frequent treacherous avalanches and howling icy winds mercilessly ransacking anything out in the open.
Without doubt, the seasoned military commanders in Ankara know that the Turkish military incursion into northern Iraq, which began last Thursday just after sunset, can settle nothing. The Pashas are highly professional men and are hard realists who act with deliberation. They would know that it will not be easy to find the Kurdish guerrillas who know every inch of their mountain strongholds and evaded for decades even a skilful predator like Saddam Hussein.
More so, since the current Turkish operation lacks the all-important element of surprise. It has been in the making for months - visibly and meticulously. It has been on the drawing board at the military, political and diplomatic level. Besides, the world knows it is not in the Turkish character to back off, looking weak, when provoked. The first stage of the Turkish incursion into northern Iraq began last December when the Turkish air force started attacking PKK camps and insisted this was a prelude to a ground offensive to follow.
Turkey's General Staff said that 33 PKK rebels, including a leader, and eight soldiers died in heavy fighting in poor weather conditions on Sunday. It said at least 112 rebels and 15 soldiers had died since the operations began.
Turkish domestic reaction
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Feb 26, 2008
Page 1 of 2
Turkey's offensive comes at a price
By M K Bhadrakumar
The high Qandil mountains and deep gorges on the northern Iraqi border region with Iran must be one of the world's most ideal terrains for guerrilla war. That is where the fighters of the separatist Turkish Kurdish movement the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have set up its headquarters. The PKK is close enough to the Turkish border to stage its guerrilla attacks and can easily frustrate "hot pursuits" by the Turkish army.
There is a popular saying that Kurds have no friends but the mountains. The region offers one of the world's spectacular natural fortresses, virtually impossible to penetrate. Especially so in the winter with heavy snowfall, frequent treacherous avalanches and howling icy winds mercilessly ransacking anything out in the open.
Without doubt, the seasoned military commanders in Ankara know that the Turkish military incursion into northern Iraq, which began last Thursday just after sunset, can settle nothing. The Pashas are highly professional men and are hard realists who act with deliberation. They would know that it will not be easy to find the Kurdish guerrillas who know every inch of their mountain strongholds and evaded for decades even a skilful predator like Saddam Hussein.
More so, since the current Turkish operation lacks the all-important element of surprise. It has been in the making for months - visibly and meticulously. It has been on the drawing board at the military, political and diplomatic level. Besides, the world knows it is not in the Turkish character to back off, looking weak, when provoked. The first stage of the Turkish incursion into northern Iraq began last December when the Turkish air force started attacking PKK camps and insisted this was a prelude to a ground offensive to follow.
Turkey's General Staff said that 33 PKK rebels, including a leader, and eight soldiers died in heavy fighting in poor weather conditions on Sunday. It said at least 112 rebels and 15 soldiers had died since the operations began.
Turkish domestic reaction
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