Turkey braces for war, fortifies border with Iraq
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SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, November 30, 2001
ANKARA Ñ Turkey has bolstered its border with Iraq to prepare for
any U.S.-led effort to topple the regime of President Saddam Hussein.
The government of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has become increasingly
convinced that the United States will attack Baghdad. Turkish officials said
they believe Washington will seek Ankara's support in any such campaign.
Turkish sources said military troops have replaced gendarmerie units
deployed in the border region with Iraq. The troops are meant to protect the
border and stop any influx of refugees from Iraq, Middle East Newsline reported.
The buildup comes amid plans by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to
visit Ankara next week. Turkish Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said
he does not rule out reconsidering Ankara's opposition to any U.S.-led
attack on Saddam.
"We repeated several times that Turkey doesn't want an operation in
Iraq," ''Cakmakoglu said. "However, new conditions might call for new
assessments."
[On Thursday, the United Nations Security Council voted to extend
sanctions on Iraq for another six months.]
Already, the Incirlik air force base in southern Turkey has become a
major center for Britain and the United States. The base serves British and
U.S. combat jets that patrol northern Iraq and could be the launching point
for any attack on the Saddam regime.
Turkey has also ordered surface-to-air batteries to protect vital
targets around the country. The military has also increased readiness over
the last two months.
The Ankara-based Turkish Daily News reported that Iraq has been alerted
to the Turkish military preparations. The newspaper said the Iraqi army has
reinforced deployment in the oil-rich Kirkuk region as well as in Mosul and
Dohuk.
Western diplomatic sources said Turkey might seek to seize Mosul as part
of any U.S.-led offensive against Iraq. Turkey has already joined the war in
Afghanistan and officials said Ankara is considering sending a force of up
to 5,000 soldiers.
The Ankara-based Milliyet daily quoted one senior official as saying a
Turkish brigade, which could be supported by artillery and tanks, would
protect Kabul's airport.
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