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Turkish troops pull out of Iraq Turkish troops pull out of Iraq
(about 1 hour 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Turkey says its troops have been withdrawn from northern Iraq after an offensive against Kurdish PKK rebels.Turkey says its troops have been withdrawn from northern Iraq after an offensive against Kurdish PKK rebels.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.
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 claimsCasualty 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. 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.
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. The struggle against terrorism will be pursued with determination at home and abroad Turkish military statement
Click to view a detailed map of the border regionEnlarge Map
"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.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. "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."
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."
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. href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/middle_east_enl_1192702901/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/middle_east_enl_1192702901/html/1.stm', '1192702969', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=416,height=268,left=312,top=100'); return false;">Click to view a detailed map of the border region href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/middle_east_enl_1192702901/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/middle_east_enl_1192702901/html/1.stm', '1192702969', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=416,height=268,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >Enlarge Map
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".
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.
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.
Air strikesAir 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.