Turkish air strikes kill dozens of villagers near Iraq border

[Jroc]

Bodies are mounted on to mules after the attack by Turkey's air force near the Turkish village of Ortasu. Photograph: AP

The donkeys had been sent across Turkey's south-eastern border with Iraq to ferry vats of smuggled diesel and cigarettes. On Thursday when they came back it was with bodies wrapped in carpets lashed to their sides: the victims of a Turkish air raid that killed up to 35 villagers from this remote region.

In a major embarrassment for Turkey's government, it was forced on Thursday to admit that the dead, originally described by the Turkish army as Kurdish separatist fighters from the banned PKK, were civilians, misidentified by Turkish drones and then bombed on Wednesday evening as they travelled close to the Iraqi border.

A Turkish ruling party spokesman, Huseyin Celik, said the victims "were not terrorists" but smugglers, adding that officials were investigating possible intelligence failures that led to the strikes. He expressed regret for the deaths and suggested the government would compensate the victims.

Television footage shot in the aftermath of the air strike showed mourning mountain villagers, some weeping, ferrying several dozen bodies away from the scene of the attack in trucks. Other images showed a line of corpses covered by blankets on a snow-covered hillside, with a crowd of people gathered around, some with their heads in their hands, crying.

According to local accounts, a group of people from the villages of Ortasu and Gulyazi were crossing the border from northern Iraq when they were blocked by soldiers on the path and then bombed at around 9.30pm on Wednesday.

The attack, which Turkey's largest pro-Kurdish party called a "crime against humanity", sparked clashes between hundreds of stone-throwing protesters and police in Diyarbakir, the largest city in Turkey's restive mainly Kurdish south-east. Police responded by firing water cannon and teargas at the demonstrators. Seven people were detained. One police officer was hurt after being hit by a stone, witnesses said.

Turkish air strikes kill dozens of villagers near Iraq border | World news | The Guardian

 

[Jroc]

'Peace process must involve Hamas as a player'
By HERB KEINON
01/01/2012 23:43

In meeting with Haniyeh, Erdogan praises Palestinian unity efforts, discusses what he terms “Judaization of J'lem.”

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan met with Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul Sunday, saying that any process leading to a solution of Palestinian issues must involve Hamas as a player.

Erdogan's comments were reported following the meeting at his home in Istanbul. Palestinian media outlets said that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was also present in the meeting.


During the meeting, Erdogan referred to Israel as the “occupier” and discussed with Haniyeh what he termed the “Judaization of Jerusalem” and actions meant to make Arab residents flee the city, according to Palestinian media.

Haniyeh reportedly thanked Erdogan for his support of Gaza residents during Israel’s Operation Cast Lead two years ago. Haniyeh’s visit to Turkey follows visits to Egypt and Sudan. He is expected to meet with leaders also in Qatar, Tunisia and Bahrain.

Erdogan also expressed support of Hamas and Fatah’s reconciliation and said he hoped the Palestinians will establish an umbrella organization which would democratically represent all political players among the Palestinians.

Fatah Central Committee member Nabil Shaath arrived in the Gaza Strip Sunday evening as part of efforts to implement a Palestinian unity deal with rival Hamas, Palestinian news agencies reported. The issue of Palestinian reconciliation was the main priority of the trip, during which he was set to discuss implementing the deal on the ground.

http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=251799

 

[JStone]

Happy New Yesr!


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxAKFlpdcfc]Applause - YouTube[/ame]

 

[2012]

It wouldn't be the first anti-Kurdish massacre in racist Turkey...

 

[Trajan]

Bodies are mounted on to mules after the attack by Turkey's air force near the Turkish village of Ortasu. Photograph: AP

The donkeys had been sent across Turkey's south-eastern border with Iraq to ferry vats of smuggled diesel and cigarettes. On Thursday when they came back it was with bodies wrapped in carpets lashed to their sides: the victims of a Turkish air raid that killed up to 35 villagers from this remote region.

In a major embarrassment for Turkey's government, it was forced on Thursday to admit that the dead, originally described by the Turkish army as Kurdish separatist fighters from the banned PKK, were civilians, misidentified by Turkish drones and then bombed on Wednesday evening as they travelled close to the Iraqi border.

A Turkish ruling party spokesman, Huseyin Celik, said the victims "were not terrorists" but smugglers, adding that officials were investigating possible intelligence failures that led to the strikes. He expressed regret for the deaths and suggested the government would compensate the victims.

Television footage shot in the aftermath of the air strike showed mourning mountain villagers, some weeping, ferrying several dozen bodies away from the scene of the attack in trucks. Other images showed a line of corpses covered by blankets on a snow-covered hillside, with a crowd of people gathered around, some with their heads in their hands, crying.

According to local accounts, a group of people from the villages of Ortasu and Gulyazi were crossing the border from northern Iraq when they were blocked by soldiers on the path and then bombed at around 9.30pm on Wednesday.

The attack, which Turkey's largest pro-Kurdish party called a "crime against humanity", sparked clashes between hundreds of stone-throwing protesters and police in Diyarbakir, the largest city in Turkey's restive mainly Kurdish south-east. Police responded by firing water cannon and teargas at the demonstrators. Seven people were detained. One police officer was hurt after being hit by a stone, witnesses said.

Turkish air strikes kill dozens of villagers near Iraq border | World news | The Guardian

don't sweat it bro......we have dispensation from the "its not Amerika and Bush" crowd......so its all good...

 

[Jroc]

Bodies are mounted on to mules after the attack by Turkey's air force near the Turkish village of Ortasu. Photograph: AP

The donkeys had been sent across Turkey's south-eastern border with Iraq to ferry vats of smuggled diesel and cigarettes. On Thursday when they came back it was with bodies wrapped in carpets lashed to their sides: the victims of a Turkish air raid that killed up to 35 villagers from this remote region.

In a major embarrassment for Turkey's government, it was forced on Thursday to admit that the dead, originally described by the Turkish army as Kurdish separatist fighters from the banned PKK, were civilians, misidentified by Turkish drones and then bombed on Wednesday evening as they travelled close to the Iraqi border.

A Turkish ruling party spokesman, Huseyin Celik, said the victims "were not terrorists" but smugglers, adding that officials were investigating possible intelligence failures that led to the strikes. He expressed regret for the deaths and suggested the government would compensate the victims.

Television footage shot in the aftermath of the air strike showed mourning mountain villagers, some weeping, ferrying several dozen bodies away from the scene of the attack in trucks. Other images showed a line of corpses covered by blankets on a snow-covered hillside, with a crowd of people gathered around, some with their heads in their hands, crying.

According to local accounts, a group of people from the villages of Ortasu and Gulyazi were crossing the border from northern Iraq when they were blocked by soldiers on the path and then bombed at around 9.30pm on Wednesday.

The attack, which Turkey's largest pro-Kurdish party called a "crime against humanity", sparked clashes between hundreds of stone-throwing protesters and police in Diyarbakir, the largest city in Turkey's restive mainly Kurdish south-east. Police responded by firing water cannon and teargas at the demonstrators. Seven people were detained. One police officer was hurt after being hit by a stone, witnesses said.

Turkish air strikes kill dozens of villagers near Iraq border | World news | The Guardian

don't sweat it bro......we have dispensation from the "its not Amerika and Bush" crowd......so its all good...

Obama sucks up to Turkey while critizing Israel...

Panetta Praises Turkey for Leadership in Region and Beyond
By Donna Miles

ANKARA, Turkey, Dec. 16, 2011 – Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta praised Turkish leaders today for their leadership in the region at a time of sweeping change, including its efforts to quell the Syrian government’s violent crackdown and to prevent Iran from tampering that could prevent progress.


During what he called “very comprehensive” meetings here today with President Abdullah Gul, Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz, and Chief of the General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozel, the secretary said they also reaffirmed the importance the U.S.-Turkey relationship in confronting other pressing security challenges in the region and the world.

“Turkey is a key NATO ally and a very critical security partner for the United States, Panetta told reporters following today’s meetings.

Panetta commended Turkey for providing security in Kabul as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan, an effort he said that with Turkey’s help has now reached “an important turning point.”

The secretary also expressed solidarity with Turkey in its fight at home against the terrorist PKK organization. “My discussions here in Ankara made very clear that the United States will continue to assist Turkey in confronting this threat,” Panetta told reporters, including providing technology to assist them in the effort.

“We are prepared to discuss further efforts to try to improve the technology and those capabilities,” he said. “We continue to explore other steps that can be taken to assist Turkey in the effort to deal with the PKK.”

Panetta also noted Turkey’s role in preparing NATO to deal with emerging threats, including its decision to host a forward-based radar for the NATO missile defense system.

“I think Turkey recognizes that it is important for this country to be a part of that defense shield,” he said.

Recognizing objection to the system, most vocally from Russia, the secretary emphasized that the system is designed to protect NATO countries, including Turkey, from attack.
“These are steps being taken in the defense of NATO,” he said. “Ultimately, other countries whether they like it or don’t like it, are going to have to accept that fact.”

Panetta emphasized during today’s meetings the importance of Turkey and Israel resolving their differences so they can work together as in the past to promote regional security and stability. “I believe that it is Turkey’s interest and in Israel’s interest for the two to move forward” in their relationship so they are better able to deal with the difficult issues confronting the region, he said, expressing confidence that they will.

Defense.gov News Article: Panetta Praises Turkey for Leadership in Region and Beyond

 

[kirkuki]

turks need a blow to their fascist actions , their occupation of Cyprus , occupation of kurdish lands and killing kurds while Obama calling turks 'our allies' so you are also a partner of a murderer !!??