Tensions mounting in northern Iraq

Tensions in northern Iraq continue to mount. The Turkish government has announced that fighter jets carried out attacks against on positions of the Kurdish separatist movement PKK inside Iraq on Sunday. The air strikes were intended as retaliation for a PKK attack in Turkey in which 12 soldiers were killed. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has said he will do anything to prevent new PKK attacks.

The Turkish government is under increasing pressure from domestic public opinion to act against the Kurdish insurgents in Iraq. Parliament has granted the army permission to invade northern Iraq if necessary. PKK attacks on Turkish soldiers have sparked outrage among the general public as well as fierce nationalistic sentiments. However, Turkey is under strong international pressure to refrain from entering Iraq. An invasion of northern Iraq is expected to lead to serious destabilisation of what is now one of Iraq's most peaceful provinces. More...