Infighting between Turkey's military, government jeopardizes counter-terror campaign
ANKARA — Turkey has been divided by a rivalry between the military which favors a secular government
and the Interior Ministry of the Islamist government.
Turkish security sources said the Turkish military has been battling the
Interior Ministry over authority in the counter-insurgency campaign against
the Kurdish Workers Party. The sources said the ministry has insisted on
playing a lead role in procurement and development of systems required for
homeland security.
"The lines of authority have failed to become clarified as the
government distrusts the military," a security source said.
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The rivalry was seen as crucial as the PKK was preparing an
offensive inside Turkey. At least one security agency, the Gendarmerie, has
been torn between the Interior Ministry and the Turkish military.
The Gendarmerie General Command has been a leading force in the battle
against the PKK inside Turkey. The command has been reporting to both the
Interior Ministry and military.
The sources said the Interior Ministry-military dispute has prevented
the formation of a nationwide counter-insurgency strategy.
Turkey also faces
insurgency threats from Al Qaida, the so-called Turkish Hizbullah and the
Great Eastern Islamic Raiders' Front.
