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| Turkish troops pull out of Iraq | Turkish troops pull out of Iraq |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Turkey says its troops have been withdrawn from northern Iraq after an offensive against Kurdish PKK rebels. | Turkey says its troops have been withdrawn from northern Iraq after an offensive against Kurdish PKK rebels. |
| In a statement on its website, Turkey's military said it had achieved its goals, and there was no question of any foreign influence on the decision. | In a statement on its website, Turkey's military said it had achieved its goals, and there was no question of any foreign influence on the decision. |
| AP news agency reports that at least 200 trucks carrying Turkish troops have left the Iraqi border area. | AP news agency reports that at least 200 trucks carrying Turkish troops have left the Iraqi border area. |
| Iraq and the US had urged Turkey to end its incursion across the border, amid fears of escalating regional tensions. | Iraq and the US had urged Turkey to end its incursion across the border, amid fears of escalating regional tensions. |
| Ankara says the operation targeted bases in Iraq used by Kurdish rebels for attacks across the border. | Ankara says the operation targeted bases in Iraq used by Kurdish rebels for attacks across the border. |
| It accuses Iraq of failing to stop PKK guerrillas - who are fighting for a Kurdish homeland in south-eastern Turkey - from using the area as a safe haven. | It accuses Iraq of failing to stop PKK guerrillas - who are fighting for a Kurdish homeland in south-eastern Turkey - from using the area as a safe haven. |
| The strategic aim of the operation was to demolish the main PKK bases in northern Iraq and prevent fresh attacks from there in spring, analysts say. | The strategic aim of the operation was to demolish the main PKK bases in northern Iraq and prevent fresh attacks from there in spring, analysts say. |
| Casualty claims | Casualty claims |
| In its statement, the Turkish military hailed the operation as a success, saying it had prevented the separatist fighters using the region as a launch-pad for attacks on Turkey. | In its statement, the Turkish military hailed the operation as a success, saying it had prevented the separatist fighters using the region as a launch-pad for attacks on Turkey. |
| The struggle against terrorism will be pursued with determination at home and abroad Turkish military statement class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7271528.stm">In pictures: Operation ends | |
| It claimed at least 240 PKK militants had been killed in just over a week of clashes. It added that 27 members of the Turkish security forces had also died. | It claimed at least 240 PKK militants had been killed in just over a week of clashes. It added that 27 members of the Turkish security forces had also died. |
| "Both the start and end dates of the operation were decided by us solely based on military reasoning and necessities," the statement said. | "Both the start and end dates of the operation were decided by us solely based on military reasoning and necessities," the statement said. |
| "Any influence, either foreign on domestic, on this decision by the Turkish armed forces is out of the question." | "Any influence, either foreign on domestic, on this decision by the Turkish armed forces is out of the question." |
| It added: "Terrorist activities in Iraq's north will be observed in the future, and no threat against Turkey from this region will be allowed. | It added: "Terrorist activities in Iraq's north will be observed in the future, and no threat against Turkey from this region will be allowed. |
| "The struggle against terrorism will be pursued with determination at home and abroad." | "The struggle against terrorism will be pursued with determination at home and abroad." |
| Click to view a detailed map of the border regionEnlarge Map | Click to view a detailed map of the border regionEnlarge Map |
| The development comes a day after US President George W Bush urged Turkey, a Nato ally, to wind up the incursion and get out of Iraq. US Defence Secretary Robert Gates personally conveyed the message during talks in Ankara on Thursday. | The development comes a day after US President George W Bush urged Turkey, a Nato ally, to wind up the incursion and get out of Iraq. US Defence Secretary Robert Gates personally conveyed the message during talks in Ankara on Thursday. |
| Following the Turkish announcement, White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe described Turkey's incursion as "targeted and relatively short". | Following the Turkish announcement, White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe described Turkey's incursion as "targeted and relatively short". |
| He added: "There is one thing that remains clear, and that is the United States, Turkey, and Iraq all will continue to view the PKK as a terrorist organisation that needs to be dealt with." | He added: "There is one thing that remains clear, and that is the United States, Turkey, and Iraq all will continue to view the PKK as a terrorist organisation that needs to be dealt with." |
| Iraq said the incursion was unacceptable and violated its sovereignty. | Iraq said the incursion was unacceptable and violated its sovereignty. |
| Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari welcomed the withdrawal. | Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari welcomed the withdrawal. |
| "We think this is the right thing for Turkey to do," Mr Zebari told reporters. | "We think this is the right thing for Turkey to do," Mr Zebari told reporters. |
| AP quoted Mr Zebari as saying that the US had played an "instrumental" role in pressing Turkey to leave. | AP quoted Mr Zebari as saying that the US had played an "instrumental" role in pressing Turkey to leave. |
| The PKK in northern Iraq claimed victory over the Turkish military. | The PKK in northern Iraq claimed victory over the Turkish military. |
| "Because of the fierce battles between the PKK and the Turkish forces, the Turkish forces have withdrawn," said Ahmed Danees, the group's foreign relations spokesman in the region. | "Because of the fierce battles between the PKK and the Turkish forces, the Turkish forces have withdrawn," said Ahmed Danees, the group's foreign relations spokesman in the region. |
| Air strikes | Air strikes |
| Ankara has argued that as many as 3,000 Kurdish rebels use the region as a springboard for raids on Turkey. | Ankara has argued that as many as 3,000 Kurdish rebels use the region as a springboard for raids on Turkey. |
| The PKK - the Kurdistan Workers' Party - is branded a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and EU. | The PKK - the Kurdistan Workers' Party - is branded a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and EU. |
| It has launched a number of attacks on Turkish troops and civilians from northern Iraq. | It has launched a number of attacks on Turkish troops and civilians from northern Iraq. |
| Analysts say Turkey felt it had to mount a show of strength after a wave of devastating PKK ambushes on Turkish troops in September and October last year. | Analysts say Turkey felt it had to mount a show of strength after a wave of devastating PKK ambushes on Turkish troops in September and October last year. |
| Turkey's campaign began with air strikes in December, supported by intelligence from the US. | Turkey's campaign began with air strikes in December, supported by intelligence from the US. |
| More than 30,000 people have been killed since the PKK began its armed campaign in 1984. | More than 30,000 people have been killed since the PKK began its armed campaign in 1984. |