Turkey Invades Iraq in 2000ish
- Thread starter Chris
- Start date
Hows this:
CAUSES: On Febraury 15th, the Turkish Armed forces conduct a raid in Kars (A city in ne Turkey) and discover an arms cache that includes no less than 2,000 Assault Rifles, 200 RPGS and ammunition, and an assortment of LMGs. The arms are linked directly in Turkey the Kurdish Liberation Front (ERNK) which has been agitating for independence from Turkey since the late 60s.
Turkey makes a press release stating that the arms are believed to have originated from Iran and the ex-Soviet republics but travelled through Iraq via border crossings.
On February 18th, the President Sezer of Turkey sends a message to Saddam Hussein stating that unless tighter border controls are established in Kurdistan (NW Iraq) that he will be forced to take action. Hussein refuses stating "That this is a Turkish problem"
On February 25th, the Turkish armed forced begin to deploy along the Iraqi border to counter Kurdish insurgents and unknown arms deliveries from entering Turkey. Again, President Sezer sends Iraq a message asking for the Kurdish agitators to be held in Iraq. This message is ignored.
Turkey informs NATO on March 10th that additional evidence has been gathered that Iraq is allowing the ERNK to pass across Iraq unmolested. Even though Iraq does not support in any way Kurdish independence, it has made clandestine agreements with the ERNK as long as it operates only in Turkey.
Additional deployment of ground forces, including a fast-strike capable force, continues along major entry points along the Iraq-Turkish border. Iraq also deploys forces but the no-fly zone and stringent NATO monitoring prevent Saddam from any kind off mass mobilization.
On March 15th, President Sezer contacts President Clinton and NATO to inform him that the Army and Air Force of Turkey will be taking limited action against Iraq whilst conducting similar operations inside of Turkey itself.
During the morning hours of March 18th, the British consulate and American consulate in Istanbul are simultaneous bombed. 14 people are killed. The ERNK does not immediately take responsibility but it is the main suspect.
Despite heavy security, on the night of March 22nd regional officials in 3 seperate Turkish towns are assassinated in a night of violence. The Turkish army blames Kurdish seperatists and begins internal operations.
THE CONFLICT: At 6am on March 24th, President Sezer informs Nato that jets are already on their way to perform pre-emptive strikes against numerous military targets (mainly airfields and power stations) within Iraq. Nato does no condone the action or condemn it.
Turkish airstrikes catch the Iraqis off guard despite the long build up leading to the action. Most of the Iraqi airfields are damaged and are unable to operate for at least 2 weeks. Turkish plane losses are light - mostly due to SAMs.
Turkish forces cross the Iraqi frontier at 8am finding Iraqi forces in ready positions but resistance is lighter than expected. Poor weather in the form of heavy downpours of rain and flash flooding of rivers in the higher regions along the NE border prevent armored activity on both sides. The Turkish air-force conducts numerous sorties against Iraqi land forces.
During the day Turkish forces surround non-mobile emplacements and bypass them where possible. It becomes obvious to the Iraqi Generals that their 30 years old plans for defence against Turkey do not reflect the capabilities of the modern Turkish army.
The US and UK continue to enforce no-fly zones in both north and south Iraq, shooting down several iraqi planes that refuse to land.
Hussein spouts rhetoric on TV but his forces are crumbling along the West part of the border. In the East bad weather conditions continue to aid the defender and Turkish losses there are high.
Inside Turkey massive military and intel operations are in full swing with any agistator or 'enemy of the state' being rounded up. The press is kept out, this will later lead to accusations that Turkey settled scores using this action as an excuse.
On March 25th and 26th the Iraqi army begins a southerly retreat from all points along the border. Turkey now states that it's aim is defeat the ERNK permanently and this may include occupation of parts of Iraqi Kurdistan. At this point France, Belgium, Netherlands condemn the action. Germany, though not supportive, does nothing considering it's large number of Turkish immigres. The United States and the UK both state that Turkey has a right to protect it's citizens and borders from terrorist.
On March 28th Turkish planes strike the cities of Kirkuk and for the first time bridges and power stations in Bagdad.
Egypt and Jordon issue a joint statement asking for a peaceful resolution of the issue. The Arab state of Syria however silent. Iran, begins to mobilize a limited number of forces along it's border with Iraq.
On March 30th, Armored Infantry elements occupy the high plateu near Kirkuk. Iraq sends it's foreign minister to Turkey to ask for a resolution to the issue.
In a secret telephone call to Sezer, Hussein agrees to take further action again all Kurdish insurgents in Iraq and agrees to uphold the Turkish-Iraq border controls.
April 2nd - 5th. Iraqi forces continue to retreat, orderly in most areas.
The NATO security council for joint military action contacts Pres Sezer and asks him to cease operations in Iraq as Iran seems to mobilization more forces and preparing it's air force. Intel states that Iran is preparing to renew the war against Iraq.
Turkey and Iraq agree to a timetable for Turkish on the 10th of April. Turkey conducts fast operations against known ERNK groups and strongholds inside of Iraq.
Turkish forces begin to withdrawl. Iraqi forces begin to deploy easterly towards the Iranian border (which remained manned during this entire event).
Turkey agrees a ceasefire effective at midnight April 14th. Iraq almost immediately begins to occupy it's previous border areas. True to his word, Saddam Hussein uses this conflict to his political advantage slaughtering entire populations of Kurdish people.
Iranian forces begin to deploy away from the border with Iraq.
AFTERMATH: Whether the arms cache was truly part of a massive operation by the ERNK will never be known. The group had only operated in small groups and in 1998-99 had concentrated on the political front.
The bombs that exploded at the American and British consulates were later to have found out to have been planted by a rival and previous unknown group the Kurdish National Islamic Front.
Iraq, though sustaining large losses was able to repair its infrastructure with relative ease. Saddam Hussein was actually able to use the conflict to further solidify Sunni control over Northern Iraq. Over 30,000 Kurds are murdered in the months following the conflict.
For the ERNK operations in Turkey are set back years as their network is largely compromised and destroyed. Again, whilst never known, around 2,000 to 3,000 Kurdish and Turkish political opponents disappear during the conflict from within Turkey.
As a result of the conflict the EU nations push to refuse to application for membership of Turkey, however both the UK and Germany fight to keep it alive. There is no doubt that this action sets Turkish membership (ever in doubt in any event) back.
Relations in the Middle East remain much the same and as with NATO. What is battlefield tested are the American military hardware purchased by Turkey.
Years later, a book is published by Avi Lathersim claiming that as part of the Mossad he gave large amounts of intel data to Turkey and that there were even IDF Advisors operating with the Turkish army. This was denied by both Turkey and Israel.
CAUSES: On Febraury 15th, the Turkish Armed forces conduct a raid in Kars (A city in ne Turkey) and discover an arms cache that includes no less than 2,000 Assault Rifles, 200 RPGS and ammunition, and an assortment of LMGs. The arms are linked directly in Turkey the Kurdish Liberation Front (ERNK) which has been agitating for independence from Turkey since the late 60s.
Turkey makes a press release stating that the arms are believed to have originated from Iran and the ex-Soviet republics but travelled through Iraq via border crossings.
On February 18th, the President Sezer of Turkey sends a message to Saddam Hussein stating that unless tighter border controls are established in Kurdistan (NW Iraq) that he will be forced to take action. Hussein refuses stating "That this is a Turkish problem"
On February 25th, the Turkish armed forced begin to deploy along the Iraqi border to counter Kurdish insurgents and unknown arms deliveries from entering Turkey. Again, President Sezer sends Iraq a message asking for the Kurdish agitators to be held in Iraq. This message is ignored.
Turkey informs NATO on March 10th that additional evidence has been gathered that Iraq is allowing the ERNK to pass across Iraq unmolested. Even though Iraq does not support in any way Kurdish independence, it has made clandestine agreements with the ERNK as long as it operates only in Turkey.
Additional deployment of ground forces, including a fast-strike capable force, continues along major entry points along the Iraq-Turkish border. Iraq also deploys forces but the no-fly zone and stringent NATO monitoring prevent Saddam from any kind off mass mobilization.
On March 15th, President Sezer contacts President Clinton and NATO to inform him that the Army and Air Force of Turkey will be taking limited action against Iraq whilst conducting similar operations inside of Turkey itself.
During the morning hours of March 18th, the British consulate and American consulate in Istanbul are simultaneous bombed. 14 people are killed. The ERNK does not immediately take responsibility but it is the main suspect.
Despite heavy security, on the night of March 22nd regional officials in 3 seperate Turkish towns are assassinated in a night of violence. The Turkish army blames Kurdish seperatists and begins internal operations.
THE CONFLICT: At 6am on March 24th, President Sezer informs Nato that jets are already on their way to perform pre-emptive strikes against numerous military targets (mainly airfields and power stations) within Iraq. Nato does no condone the action or condemn it.
Turkish airstrikes catch the Iraqis off guard despite the long build up leading to the action. Most of the Iraqi airfields are damaged and are unable to operate for at least 2 weeks. Turkish plane losses are light - mostly due to SAMs.
Turkish forces cross the Iraqi frontier at 8am finding Iraqi forces in ready positions but resistance is lighter than expected. Poor weather in the form of heavy downpours of rain and flash flooding of rivers in the higher regions along the NE border prevent armored activity on both sides. The Turkish air-force conducts numerous sorties against Iraqi land forces.
During the day Turkish forces surround non-mobile emplacements and bypass them where possible. It becomes obvious to the Iraqi Generals that their 30 years old plans for defence against Turkey do not reflect the capabilities of the modern Turkish army.
The US and UK continue to enforce no-fly zones in both north and south Iraq, shooting down several iraqi planes that refuse to land.
Hussein spouts rhetoric on TV but his forces are crumbling along the West part of the border. In the East bad weather conditions continue to aid the defender and Turkish losses there are high.
Inside Turkey massive military and intel operations are in full swing with any agistator or 'enemy of the state' being rounded up. The press is kept out, this will later lead to accusations that Turkey settled scores using this action as an excuse.
On March 25th and 26th the Iraqi army begins a southerly retreat from all points along the border. Turkey now states that it's aim is defeat the ERNK permanently and this may include occupation of parts of Iraqi Kurdistan. At this point France, Belgium, Netherlands condemn the action. Germany, though not supportive, does nothing considering it's large number of Turkish immigres. The United States and the UK both state that Turkey has a right to protect it's citizens and borders from terrorist.
On March 28th Turkish planes strike the cities of Kirkuk and for the first time bridges and power stations in Bagdad.
Egypt and Jordon issue a joint statement asking for a peaceful resolution of the issue. The Arab state of Syria however silent. Iran, begins to mobilize a limited number of forces along it's border with Iraq.
On March 30th, Armored Infantry elements occupy the high plateu near Kirkuk. Iraq sends it's foreign minister to Turkey to ask for a resolution to the issue.
In a secret telephone call to Sezer, Hussein agrees to take further action again all Kurdish insurgents in Iraq and agrees to uphold the Turkish-Iraq border controls.
April 2nd - 5th. Iraqi forces continue to retreat, orderly in most areas.
The NATO security council for joint military action contacts Pres Sezer and asks him to cease operations in Iraq as Iran seems to mobilization more forces and preparing it's air force. Intel states that Iran is preparing to renew the war against Iraq.
Turkey and Iraq agree to a timetable for Turkish on the 10th of April. Turkey conducts fast operations against known ERNK groups and strongholds inside of Iraq.
Turkish forces begin to withdrawl. Iraqi forces begin to deploy easterly towards the Iranian border (which remained manned during this entire event).
Turkey agrees a ceasefire effective at midnight April 14th. Iraq almost immediately begins to occupy it's previous border areas. True to his word, Saddam Hussein uses this conflict to his political advantage slaughtering entire populations of Kurdish people.
Iranian forces begin to deploy away from the border with Iraq.
AFTERMATH: Whether the arms cache was truly part of a massive operation by the ERNK will never be known. The group had only operated in small groups and in 1998-99 had concentrated on the political front.
The bombs that exploded at the American and British consulates were later to have found out to have been planted by a rival and previous unknown group the Kurdish National Islamic Front.
Iraq, though sustaining large losses was able to repair its infrastructure with relative ease. Saddam Hussein was actually able to use the conflict to further solidify Sunni control over Northern Iraq. Over 30,000 Kurds are murdered in the months following the conflict.
For the ERNK operations in Turkey are set back years as their network is largely compromised and destroyed. Again, whilst never known, around 2,000 to 3,000 Kurdish and Turkish political opponents disappear during the conflict from within Turkey.
As a result of the conflict the EU nations push to refuse to application for membership of Turkey, however both the UK and Germany fight to keep it alive. There is no doubt that this action sets Turkish membership (ever in doubt in any event) back.
Relations in the Middle East remain much the same and as with NATO. What is battlefield tested are the American military hardware purchased by Turkey.
Years later, a book is published by Avi Lathersim claiming that as part of the Mossad he gave large amounts of intel data to Turkey and that there were even IDF Advisors operating with the Turkish army. This was denied by both Turkey and Israel.
Last edited:
Abdul Hadi Pasha
Banned
That's pretty impressive. My only thought about it is that the terrain and weather in N. Iraq are not very serious impediments to military activity, even in the winter.
Abdul Hadi Pasha
Banned
Why? He can be friendly to the Turkish Kurds and still be hostile to the Iraqi Kurds. There seems to be some impression that the Kurds are some monolithic block who all just want to be together. It couldn't be further from the truth. The Kurds are largely tribal and there is a lot of hostility between the Kurds of different regions.
Fixed - I've modified this to severe rains and flooding. I hope that this wouldn't be out of the realms of possibility in the region along the eastern part of the Iraq-Turkish border.