US warns against hiking tensions between Turkey, Iraqis

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2007

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US officials Wednesday warned against escalating tensions between Iraq and Turkey, renewing calls for restraint by both sides as Turkish warplanes bombed Kurdish rebel bases along the Iraqi border.

"We are concerned about the continuing skirmishes that are happening up there, and terrorist attacks that are being launched by the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) against the Turks," said spokeswoman Dana Perino.

"We continue to urge both sides to exercise restraint -- meaning the Iraqis and the Turks -- in terms of escalating tensions between the two countries," she told reporters.

Turkish warplanes Wednesday bombed Kurdish rebel targets along the Iraqi border in southeast Turkey, the country's semi-official Anatolia news agency reported....