Tensions continue to rise over Turkeys threat on Iraqi Kurdish rebels

Source: CCTV.com | 10-25-2007 09:07

Schoolchildren walk past an armored military vehicle and a patrolling Turkish soldier in the province of Sirnak, on the Turkish-Iraqi border, southeastern Turkey, Monday, Oct. 22, 2007. Dozens of military vehicles headed toward the Iraqi border and protesters demanded tough action against Kurdish rebels on Monday after 12 soldiers were killed in an ambush that has pushed Turkey closer to a possible attack on guerrilla bases in Iraq. (AP Photo)

Tensions continue to rise over Turkey's threat of a military incursion in northern Iraq targeting Kurdish rebels. Turkey continued to move troops to the border on Wednesday.

Turkish helicopters were seen at an airfield across the border while troops and armored tanks conducted training exercises.

Turkish forces shelled suspected Kurdish rebel positions across the border in retaliation to an ambush on Sunday, which killed 12 Turkish soldiers.

The Turkish government has urged Iraqi officials to crack down on the rebels but promised to pursue diplomacy before sending in its military.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told British leaders on Tuesday Turkey cannot wait forever for the Iraqi government to take action.

Turkey has rejected several previous unilateral ceasefires declared by rebels, saying it would keep fighting until all rebels surrender or are killed.