Iraq accuses Turkey over shelling
Saturday, 09 Jun 2007 13:22
Iraq says Turkey has been shelling areas along its northern border
Iraq's foreign ministry delivers letter to Turkish envoy accusing its neighbour of shelling Kurdish border areas
Iraq has accused Turkey of shelling Kurdish areas in northern Iraq, in the first official confirmation of reports of an offensive last week.
A letter by Iraq's foreign ministry, delivered to Turkey's leading envoy in the capital Baghdad, claimed the shelling had caused extensive damage across an area between the country's Dahuk and Arbil provinces.
The cross-border shelling is said to have taken place over a three-hour period late on Wednesday and early Thursday.
Calling for a halt to further shelling, the foreign ministry note warned that such actions would undermine confidence and affect relations between the two countries.
News of the attacks comes amid anticipation that Turkey may choose to mount a major incursion in northern Iraq against Kurdish rebels.
Turkish officials are reported to fear that insurgents from the banned PKK (the Kurdistan Workers' Party) have been sheltering with Kurds in Iraq who are sympathetic to their separatist campaign.
It is thought that they may be crossing the border from Iraq to carry out attacks on Turkish targets.
The letter from Iraq's foreign ministry makes an apparent reference to reported Turkish concerns in an attempt to reassure its neighbour.
"Iraq would like to take this opportunity to declare its resolve to cooperate with Turkish authorities to allay Turkey's legitimate fears through a constructive dialogue and positive co-operation," an extract of the note says.
Turkey has not confirmed whether it was responsible for last week's shelling in northern Iraq, but has been building up its forces along the border with the country.