Free Headline Alerts     
Worldwide Web WorldTribune.com
Front Cover
Daily Brief
  • Obama sought to limit independent probes of Fort Hood shooting
  • U.S. to seize Iran properties said to channel funds for WMD programs
    • Recent Hits
    Real World Links
    Opportunities
    Take a Stand
    Letters
    Archives
    Blog Line
    World Links
    Population Clock
    Cartoon
    Greatest Hits
    Gertz File
    Advertising Info
    Editorial Board
    Advisory Board
    Contact Info
    What Rush Said
  • China, DPRK out-maneuver Obama before his Asia trip even begins
  • China could use its microchips to penetrate U.S. weapons systems

    •   breaking... 


    Tuesday, January 6, 2009

    Turkey reports Kurdish desertions after air strikes in northern Iraq

    ANKARA — Turkey has reported widespread desertions by militants in the Kurdish Workers Party.  

    The Turkish military said the PKK has been struck by massive desertions over the last two months. The military said the desertions stemmed from heavy losses during Turkish air strikes on PKK bases in Iraq.

    "Since Dec. 16, Turkish Armed Forces air strikes on PKK targets in northern Iraq have created serious pressure on the organization," Turkish military spokesman Gen. Metin Gurak said.

    In a Dec. 26 briefing, Gurak, chairman of the communications department in the General Staff, said northern Iraq was no longer regarded as a safe haven by the PKK. He said an unspecified number of operatives have fled the Kurdish insurgency group.

    Also In This Edition

    NORTHEAST ASIA:

    U.S. advisory panel warns of rampant Chinese spying

    Mideast / S. Asia:

    Hizbullah included in Lebanon premier's new Cabinet

    AFRICA/EUROPE:

    Thousands cheer 20 years since fall of Berlin Wall

    The Turkish military has assessed that the PKK maintains up to 3,000 operatives in northern Iraq. Another 2,000 PKK fighters were said to be deployed in Turkey.

    Officials said raids by Turkish fighter-jets, most of them U.S.-origin F-16s, have sparked a flight of PKK combatants from the Kandil mountains in northern Iraq. They said PKK members have also encountered artillery attacks from neighboring Iran.

    Iraq has announced that it would help fight the PKK. Officials said Baghdad was expected to present proposals to battle the Kurdish insurgency in January.

    "We hope that Iraqi authorities could contribute to the fight against the PKK," Gurak said.  

    About Us     l    Contact Us     l    Geostrategy-Direct.com     l    East-Asia-Intel.com
    Copyright © 2008    East West Services, Inc.    All rights reserved.