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Turkish troops 'move out of Iraq' Turkish troops 'move out of Iraq'
(about 2 hours later)
Iraq's foreign minister has said all Turkish troops have left northern Iraq after mounting a controversial ground offensive against Kurdish rebels. The Turkish military says it has withdrawn its troops from northern Iraq, following a controversial ground offensive against Kurdish rebels.
But amid conflicting reports, US and Kurdish sources have said it is too early to call the move a full pull-out. The army said the goals of the operation "had been reached and the units have returned to their bases".
Turkey's military said it would make a statement later. Turkey launched the cross-border attack last Thursday, accusing Iraq of failing to stop PKK guerrillas from using the area as a safe haven.
Turkey launched the cross-border attack last Thursday, accusing Iraq of failing to stop members of the Kurdish PKK from using the area as a safe haven. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari welcomed the withdrawal.
The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul says the Turkish military is not denying the claims of a pull-out but they are certainly not confirming it, while the lips of government ministers in Ankara remain sealed. "We think this is the right thing for Turkey to do," Mr Zebari told reporters.
Confusion
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari told journalists on Friday: "All the Turkish troops have withdrawn and gone back to the Turkish side of the international border."
"We welcome this, we think this is the right thing for Turkey to do," added Mr Zebari, who is an ethnic Kurd.
Click to view a detailed map of the border regionEnlarge MapClick to view a detailed map of the border regionEnlarge Map
But an unnamed US official in Baghdad said in an email to the Reuters news agency that it was "too early to call this a withdrawal".
A Turkish military source told the agency that all troops had fully withdrawn from the key Zap valley of northern Iraq.
However, a PKK spokesman quoted by AFP described the withdrawal as "limited".
The development comes a day after President George W Bush urged Nato ally Turkey to wind up the raid and get out of Iraq.The development comes a day after President George W Bush urged Nato ally Turkey to wind up the raid and get out of Iraq.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates personally conveyed the message during talks in Ankara on Thursday.US Defence Secretary Robert Gates personally conveyed the message during talks in Ankara on Thursday.
Iraq says the incursion is unacceptable and violates its sovereignty. Iraq said the incursion was unacceptable and violated its sovereignty.
Show of strengthShow of strength
But Ankara argues that as many as 3,000 Kurdish rebels use the region as a springboard for raids on Turkey.But Ankara argues that as many as 3,000 Kurdish rebels use the region as a springboard for raids on Turkey.
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) 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 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 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 real-time intelligence from the US. Deploying ground troops was a crucial follow-up. Turkey's campaign began with air strikes in December, supported by intelligence from the US. Deploying ground troops was a crucial follow-up.
The strategic aim of the operation is 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 is to demolish the main PKK bases in northern Iraq and prevent fresh attacks from there in spring, analysts say.
Reports from Turkey on the size of the assault force have varied from 3,000 to 10,000 soldiers.Reports from Turkey on the size of the assault force have varied from 3,000 to 10,000 soldiers.
Turkey says 24 soldiers and 237 rebels have been killed. The PKK says it has killed over 100 soldiers. Turkey says 24 soldiers and 237 rebels have been killed. The PKK says it has killed more than 100 soldiers.
More than 30,000 people have been killed since the PKK began fighting for a Kurdish homeland in south-eastern Turkey in 1984.More than 30,000 people have been killed since the PKK began fighting for a Kurdish homeland in south-eastern Turkey in 1984.