I/II. http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/turkish-jets-strike-kurds-iraq-complicating-anti-isis-fight-n398276
NEWS ISIS TERROR JUL 25 2015, 3:32 AM ET Turkish Jets Strike Kurds in Iraq, Complicating Anti-ISIS Fight by ASSOCIATED PRESS ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish jets struck camps belonging to Kurdish militants in northern Iraq, authorities said Saturday, the first strike since a 2013 peace deal as Ankara also bombed ISIS positions in Syria. The strikes in Iraq targeted the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, whose affiliates have been effective in battling ISIS. The strikes further complicate the U.S.-led war against the extremists, which has relied on Kurdish forces making gains in both Iraq and Syria. A spokesman in Iraq for the PKK, which has been fighting Turkey for autonomy since 1984 and is considered a terrorist organization by Ankara and its allies, said the strikes likely spelled the end of 2013 peace agreement. Related: Turkey Blocks Twitter Over Images of ISIS Blast "Turkey has basically ended the cease-fire," Zagros Hiwa told The Associated Press, declining to elaborate further. He said the PKK was still assessing the damage caused by the strikes, though they didn't appear to cause casualties. The jets hit PKK shelters, bunkers, caves, storages facilities and other "logistical points," a statement from the Turkish prime minister's office said. It said areas targeted included the Qandil mountains, where the PKK's command is based. Facebook Twitter Google PlusEmbed FROM JULY 20, 2015: Clashes in Turkey After Suruc Massacre 0:34 The statement did not specify Islamic State targets that were struck in Syria in a second night of bombings, but described the airstrikes in both Syria and Iraq as being "effective." Turkey's military also shelled ISIS and PKK positions in Syria from across the Turkish border, the government said. Tensions have flared with Kurds in recent days after an Islamic State suicide bombing in the southeastern Turkish city of Suruc on Monday killed 32 people. Kurdish groups held the Turkish government responsible for the blast, saying it had not been aggressive in battling ISIS group. On Wednesday, the PKK claimed responsibility for the killing of two Turkish police officers near the Kurdish majority city of Sanliurfa, near the Syrian border. II. http://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/24/middleeast/turkey-syria-isis-violence/ Turkish warplanes bomb ISIS positions in Syria for the first time By Gul Tuysuz, CNN Updated 0507 GMT (1207 HKT) July 25, 2015 Istanbul (CNN)Turkish warplanes bombed ISIS positions in Syria for the first time early Friday, significantly ramping up the country's fight against the terrorist group. The strikes -- which struck three ISIS targets inside Syria -- come a day after ISIS militants killed a Turkish soldier in a border clash, and in the same week that a suicide blast blamed by Turkish authorities on ISIS killed more than 30 people. Turkey's decision to attack ISIS positions was taken during a national security meeting Thursday headed by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. It followed the firefight earlier Thursday in which at least five ISIS militants in northern Syria approached the border and fired on a Turkish border unit, killing one soldier and wounding two others, according to the Turkish military. Turkey initially responded to the clash by firing artillery into Syria. The Turkish military has targeted positions in Syria before but only as a response to incoming fire from the Syrian side of the border. Turkish warplanes bomb ISIS positions in Syria Turkish warplanes bomb ISIS positions in Syria 01:45 PLAY VIDEO Friday's airstrikes were carried out by three F-16s that took off from an air base in southeastern Turkey, authorities said. Soon after, news emerged of a deal to increase U.S. and coalition access to Turkish air bases, including Incirlik near the Syrian border. The deal provides the U.S. military with crucial access from Turkey into Syria and Iraq that it has long wanted for the campaign against ISIS. "Turkey and the US have decided to further deepen this existing cooperation against ISIS," Turkey's foreign ministry said in a statement Friday. Further strikes not ruled out The Turkish airstrikes Friday hit two ISIS bases and a gathering point, the Turkish Prime Minister's office said. The targets were chosen based on intelligence reports suggesting a buildup of weapons and explosives in the area, a Turkish official told CNN on condition of anonymity. The fighter jets have completed their mission, but the Turkish official didn't rule out the possibility of further airstrikes. "We are committed to eliminating the national security threat," the official said. There is a longstanding resolution that has been passed by the Turkish parliament permitting military action against Syria. "The targets were hit without going into Syrian airspace. If there was a need, we would have gone into Syrian airspace as well," Davutoglu said. Any terror group that threatens Turkey's borders -- which are being watched closely -- will be met by "the most ferocious response," Davutoglu said. However, he played down talk of Turkey going to war in Syria, where the forces of President Bashar al-Assad have been battling opposition groups since 2011. "The war in Syria has been going on for four years, and Turkey has not been a part of a war and will not be a part of a war," he said. Shift in strategy? Ege Seckin, an analyst with IHS Country Risk, said the change in Turkey's approach was significant. "Turkey's cross-border intervention with ground forces and airstrikes indicates a departure from their Syria policy," he said. "Previously, Turkey prioritized the fight against Syrian President Assad's forces over the Islamic State. The developments in the past two days suggest that this has changed." He suggested Turkey could in part be trying to secure its position in Syria following the deal between Iran and world powers over its nuclear program, "which Turkey probably fears would allow Iran to support Assad more effectively." He added, "Turkey is also seeking to contain Kurdish aspirations for autonomy and to ensure its dominance over Syrian armed opposition groups." Terrorism arrests The intensified violence involving Turkey comes after one of the deadliest terror attacks to hit the country in years -- a suicide bombing that killed at least 31 people Monday in Suruc, a Turkish town that borders Syria. Turkey: Evidence suggests ISIS carried out bombing Turkey: Evidence suggests ISIS carried out bombing 02:37 PLAY VIDEO The blast struck a gathering of mostly Kurdish activists calling for more help to rebuild Kobani, the Syrian city that was the scene of intense fighting last fall between ISIS and predominantly Kurdish forces. Davutoglu told reporters Tuesday that early indications pointed to involvement by ISIS in the Suruc bombing, though an investigation hadn't been completed. Davutoglu said Friday that Turkish police and military had launched a massive operation against terrorism suspects, arresting 297 people so far across 16 provinces. "Thirty-seven foreign nationals were detained. A lot of weapons and ammunition were seized," he said. Those arrested were members of organizations, including ISIS and the Kurdish militant group, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, the Turkish government said. The Kurdish women fighting ISIS -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. 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