The officials said the Iraqi autonomous Kurdish Regional
Government was also warned of an impending operation.
Chief of Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug has accused KRG of failing to stop PKK
operations, Middle East Newsline reported. Basbug warned that the military would not allow the PKK freedom
of movement in Iraq.
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Officials said the list of 248 operatives of the Kurdish Workers Party
was submitted to Iraq and the United States. They said the list contained
such insurgency commanders as Murat Karayalan, Cemil Bayak and Duran Kalkan.
"We want them as soon as possible," an official said.
On July 10, the Turkish daily Hurriyet quoted officials as warning that
Ankara was prepared to launch an operation in Iraq to capture senior PKK
operatives.
"The noose is tightening," Hurriyet quoted a senior official as saying.
Turkish intelligence has assessed that more than 2,000 PKK fighters were
still operating in the Kandil mountains of northern Iraq. They said the
Kandil mountains have served as a launching pad for attacks in southeastern
Turkey, particularly strikes on military and Gendarmerie installations.