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Turkish troops move out of Iraq Turkish troops pull out of Iraq
(about 1 hour later)
The Turkish military says it has withdrawn its troops from northern Iraq, following a controversial ground offensive against Kurdish rebels. Turkey says its troops have been withdrawn from northern Iraq after an offensive against Kurdish PKK rebels.
The army said the goals of the operation "had been reached and the units have returned to their bases". 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.
Turkey launched the cross-border attack last week, accusing Iraq of failing to stop PKK guerrillas from using the area as a safe haven. Iraq and the US had urged Turkey to end its incursion across the border, amid fears of escalating regional tensions.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari welcomed the withdrawal. Ankara says the operation targeted bases in Iraq used by Kurdish rebels for attacks across the border.
"We think this is the right thing for Turkey to do," Mr Zebari told reporters. 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.
Casualty claims
In its statement, the Turkish military said the decisions both to enter and to leave Iraq were Turkey's alone, taken on the basis of military need.
It hailed the operation as a success, saying it had shown the PKK that northern Iraq was no safe haven and prevented the separatist fighters using the region as a launch-pad for attacks on Turkey.
Click to view a detailed map of the border regionEnlarge MapClick to view a detailed map of the border regionEnlarge Map
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 objectives set at the start of the operation have been achieved and our forces... returned to their home bases as of Friday morning," the statement said.
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.
Turkey would continue to "closely watch" PKK activities in northern Iraq and "will not allow threats to Turkey from this region", the statement concluded.
"The struggle against terrorism will be pursued with determination at home and abroad."
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.US Defence Secretary Robert Gates personally conveyed the message during talks in Ankara on Thursday.
Iraq said the incursion was unacceptable and violated its sovereignty.Iraq said the incursion was unacceptable and violated its sovereignty.
Show of strength Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari welcomed the withdrawal.
But Ankara argues that as many as 3,000 Kurdish rebels use the region as a springboard for raids on Turkey. "We think this is the right thing for Turkey to do," Mr Zebari told reporters.
Air strikes
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 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. Deploying ground troops was a crucial follow-up. Turkey's campaign began with air strikes in December, supported by intelligence from the US.
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. More than 30,000 people have been killed since the PKK began its armed campaign in 1984.
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 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.