This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7270566.stm
The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 12 | Version 13 |
|---|---|
| Turkish troops pull out of Iraq | Turkish troops pull out of Iraq |
| (40 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| Turkey says its troops have been withdrawn from northern Iraq after an offensive against Kurdish PKK rebels. | Turkey says its troops have been withdrawn from northern Iraq after an offensive against Kurdish PKK rebels.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. |
| 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 it targeted bases used by up to 3,000 Kurdish rebels as a spring-board 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 struggle against terrorism will be pursued with determination at home and abroad Turkish military statement In pictures: Troops withdraw | The struggle against terrorism will be pursued with determination at home and abroad Turkish military statement In pictures: Troops withdraw |
| The Associated Press news agency reports that at least 200 lorries carrying Turkish troops have now left the Iraqi border area. | The Associated Press news agency reports that at least 200 lorries carrying Turkish troops have now left the Iraqi border area. |
| It was the first substantial land incursion since the Turkish parliament authorised cross-border operations against the PKK last year. | It was the first substantial land incursion since the Turkish parliament authorised cross-border operations against the PKK last year. |
| In its statement, the Turkish military said at least 240 PKK militants had been killed since it launched its offensive just over a week ago. It added that 27 members of the Turkish security forces had also died. | In its statement, the Turkish military said at least 240 PKK militants had been killed since it launched its offensive just over a week ago. 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," it said. | "Both the start and end dates of the operation were decided by us solely based on military reasoning and necessities," it 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." |
| US 'instrumental' | US 'instrumental' |
| 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. |
| Click to view a detailed map of the border regionEnlarge Map | Click to view a detailed map of the border regionEnlarge Map |
| There were fears that a lengthy incursion could lead to clashes with the Iraqi Kurds, who have virtual autonomy in northern Iraq, and jeopardise the stability of the country's most peaceful region. | There were fears that a lengthy incursion could lead to clashes with the Iraqi Kurds, who have virtual autonomy in northern Iraq, and jeopardise the stability of the country's most peaceful region. |
| 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. | "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. |
| 'Precedent' | 'Precedent' |
| BBC regional analyst Pam O'Toole says the Baghdad government and Iraq's Western allies will be relieved this operation was completed in a relatively short time, and with no confrontations between Turkish soldiers and Iraqi Kurdish forces. | BBC regional analyst Pam O'Toole says the Baghdad government and Iraq's Western allies will be relieved this operation was completed in a relatively short time, and with no confrontations between Turkish soldiers and Iraqi Kurdish forces. |
| She adds that the remoteness of the region involved means it may be difficult to get any accurate independent assessment of its effectiveness of the incursion. | She adds that the remoteness of the region involved means it may be difficult to get any accurate independent assessment of its effectiveness of the incursion. |
| But she also says this offensive has set a precedent, showing Ankara is willing to carry out its repeated threats to conduct land operations against the PKK in northern Iraq. | But she also says this offensive has set a precedent, showing Ankara is willing to carry out its repeated threats to conduct land operations against the PKK in northern Iraq. |
| 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. |
| 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. |