The invasion was aborted less than 24 hours after the visit of U.S.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Gates was said to have appealed to Ankara to
end its ground operation in Iraq as soon as possible.
"I think we got our message through," Gates said after he left Ankara.
The military ruled out any connection between the Gates visit and the
withdrawal from Iraq. Officials said the campaign, which began on Feb. 21,
killed 240 PKK operatives in the Zap region of Iraq.
"The beginning and the end of the operation has been determined by us
out of military reasons and needs," the military said. "Any foreign
influence did not play a role in the Turkish Armed Forces' decision."
The Kurdish Workers Party has reported the downing of a Turkish military
Cobra attack helicopter that operated in Iraq. Ankara has acknowledged the
crash of the helicopter.
The Turkish General Staff said the military damaged or destroyed 126
caves, 290 shelters, 12 command centers, 11 communication facilities, six
training facilities, 23 logistic facilities, 18 transportation facilities,
40 artillery and 59 anti-aircraft positions. The statement said most of the
PKK fighters have been neutralized, but stressed that the insurgency was not
eliminated.
"The aim of the operation was to destroy the infrastructure of the
terrorist group in the region and this aim was mostly realized," Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Erdogan said. "We believe this will also benefit Iraq's
long-term stability. Some may speculate, but the start of the operation,
targets and the withdrawal were all executed as per the Office of the Chief
of Staff's plans."
