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Turkey threatens Iraq border raid Turkey threatens Iraq border raid
(about 2 hours later)
Turkey's prime minister has given the go-ahead for a possible cross-border military operation in northern Iraq to hunt Kurdish separatists. The Turkish government is seeking parliamentary approval for a possible cross-border military operation to hunt down Kurdish separatists in Iraq.
Fifteen Turkish soldiers have been killed in rebel attacks since Sunday. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is under pressure to act from a Turkish public outraged by rebel attacks that have killed 15 soldiers 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 said that the best way to confront the rebels was through a security accord signed with Turkey last month.
The United States also warned Turkey against making an incursion into northern Iraq. The US also warned Turkey against making an incursion into northern Iraq.
"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."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.
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.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.
Correspondents say there are fears both in Baghdad and Washington that a military operation by Turkey could destabilise northern Iraq.
Tougher action
Many PKK rebels are believed to be hiding in northern Iraq.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. On Tuesday Mr Erdogan chaired a meeting of senior officials to discuss tougher action against the PKK, including the possibility of military incursions into northern Iraq.
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.
Turkish Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul 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.