"We made a decision at the Cabinet meeting on Nov. 28 and, with the
president's approval, the Turkish armed forces were authorized regarding a
cross-border operation," Erdogan said on Nov. 30. "We will watch and follow
the process after this."
Turkish sources said a company of special forces, or 120 soldiers,
entered northern Iraq. The sources said the Turkish force was supported by
up to six U.S.-origin AH-1W Cobra attack helicopters as well as artillery.
"An intense intervention was made on the group and it was detected that
the terrorist group had suffered heavy casualties," the military said.
"If necessary, there will be other operations in the region using other
means," the statement said.
In November, the United States pledged to provide intelligence to Turkey
on the PKK presence in northern Iraq. The two countries agreed to establish
a facility to process and distribute tactical intelligence.
The special operations force remained in Turkey for less than a day, the
sources said. On Saturday, the Turkish unit returned home.
The pro-Kurdish news agency, Firat, reported that Turkish Army artillery
pounded the northern Iraqi areas of Dola Mir and Dola Merge on Saturday.
Firat, quoting Iraqi Kurdish officials, said Turkish forces were not seen in
Iraq.
"No pinpoint operation or military movement was observed after the
shelling, which lasted nearly two hours," Firat said.
Both Iraq and the United States denied reports of a Turkish military
incursion. The PKK said its fighters had left their bases in Iraq's Kandil
mountains and infiltrated Turkey. The PKK bases were said to have been
manned by the Free Life Iranian Kurdish Party, which has been battling the
regime in Teheran.
