[On Jan. 22, the Turkish military was placed on high alert along the
Iraqi border. About 150,000 troops were said to have amassed in southeastern
Turkey near Iraq.]
The sources said the thermal cameras operated mostly at night to monitor
the border. They said the cameras were also installed around strategic
facilities.
Turkey has also installed advanced equipment along checkpoints and
border crossings. The sources said the systems were designed to examine
vehicles for explosives and weapons.
The Turkish C2 system has been operating amid intensified military
activity
along the Iraqi border. The sources said border searches have tightened and
even military vehicles were being stopped.
Ankara has been battling both the Kurdish insurgency as well as an
emerging threat from Al Qaida. On Thursday, authorities reported the death
of a Turkish police officer and two Al Qaida fighters in a battle in
southeastern Turkey.
At the same time, the Turkish Army has continued exercises in the
southeast. On Jan. 19, about 50 main battle tanks conducted maneuvers with
infantry troops in Cizre.
