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Turkey threatens Iraq border raid Turkey threatens Iraq border raid
(about 1 hour later)
Turkey's prime minister has given the go-ahead for a possible cross-border military operation in northern Iraq to hunt Kurdish separatists.Turkey's prime minister has given the go-ahead for a possible cross-border military operation in northern Iraq to hunt Kurdish separatists.
Fifteen Turkish soldiers have been killed in rebel attacks since Sunday.Fifteen Turkish soldiers have been killed in rebel attacks since Sunday.
Iraq's government said that the best way to confront the rebels was through a security accord signed with Turkey last month.Iraq's government said that the best way to confront the rebels was through a security accord signed with Turkey last month.
The White House said it was committed to working with both countries to combat the group behind the attacks. The United States also warned Turkey against making an incursion into northern Iraq.
But Gordon Johndroe, the White House National Security Council spokesman, did not offer specific backing to possible Turkish cross-border operations. "If they have a problem, they need to work together to resolve it and I am not sure that unilateral incursions are the way to go, the way to resolve the issue," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.
Many rebels from the group orchestrating the attacks, the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party - PKK - are believed to be hiding in northern Iraq. The US said it was committed to working with both Turkey and Iraq to combat the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which is believed to be behind the attacks.
On Tuesday, Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan chaired a meeting of senior government and military officials to discuss tougher action against the PKK. Many PKK rebels are believed to be hiding in northern Iraq.
On Tuesday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan chaired a meeting of senior government and military officials to discuss tougher action against the PKK.
Ankara claims the organisation is a terrorist group that enjoys free movement in northern Iraq, where it has easy access to weapons and explosives.Ankara claims the organisation is a terrorist group that enjoys free movement in northern Iraq, where it has easy access to weapons and explosives.
"The order has been given for every kind of measure, including if needed a cross-border operation," said a statement released by Mr Erdogan's office."The order has been given for every kind of measure, including if needed a cross-border operation," said a statement released by Mr Erdogan's office.
Vecdi Gonul, Turkey's defence minister, said parliamentary approval would be needed for any large-scale military incursion into northern Iraq. Turkish Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul said parliamentary approval would be needed for any large-scale military incursion into northern Iraq.
But, he added, no such parliamentary authorisation would be required for more limited, "hot pursuit" cross-border operations.But, he added, no such parliamentary authorisation would be required for more limited, "hot pursuit" cross-border operations.