Is Turkey close to a military offensive into Iraq?

[icymist]

From the Lebanon Daily Star:

Turkish government, military agree on plan to invade Iraq

Turkey's government and military have agreed on detailed plans for a cross-border operation against Kurdish rebels based in northern Iraq, the foreign minister said Friday. Abdullah Gul urged the United States and Iraq, which oppose a Turkish military move into Iraq, to crack down on rebels of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK. But he said Turkey was ready to stage an offensive if necessary.

"We have decided how to act, everything is clear," Gul told private NTV television. "We know what to do and when to do it," he said without providing details.

The government has come under pressure from the opposition to launch a military incursion as the country gears up for parliamentary polls on July 22.

<snip>
Asked whether the government would discuss a possible cross-border offensive during a Cabinet meeting next week, Gul said: "Everything can happen in one day."

I also can't help but notice that Turkey borders Iran in the same region this military buildup is happening, making the Turkish troops ideal for support should the US attack (Iran). Do you think I'm paranoid or what?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. the kurds have been killing and raping for decades.

and since Saddam fell, they have been even more violent and destructive. It was only time until Turkey could not take anymore.

About 2 yrs ago. Zbig Brezsinki was on some interview with a complete and total neocon talking head. The head said Iraq was much safer and about to blossom in peace. Zbig said, R U KIDDING? the country is falling apart, and wait until the Kurd issue explodes.

Head: What kurd problem? Their's is a great success story! WE SUCCEEDED.

Zbig: To ignore the growing Turkic problems with the Kurds would be as bad a mistake as the invasion of Iraq was in the first place.

[icymist]

3. I read today in LBN that Trukey has 140,000 troops massing

on the Iraqi boarder. This sounds like as many troops the US took to invade the entire country. I still can't help but wonder, "Why now and not when the Kurds were more unstable?" 140,000 troops near the Iran/Iraq boarder sure would make ideal support for an attack on Iran IMHO.

[catmandu57]

2. Things looked pretty bad earlier

I haven't heard much for a couple of weeks, I don't see Turkey supporting a move against Iran, the Turks and Iranians both despise the Kurds, it would be more likely an excuse for the Iranians to punish their own Kurdish population. It's a very delicate situation and we don't have a diplomat to defuse things.

[icymist]

4. The difference I see is that Turkey is part of NATO.

Iran is not. I'm still worried about this not being about the Kurds.

[Perky]

5. Very parnoid

there are strong ties betwenn the Kurds and Iranians.