Iraq minister: 140,000 Turkey troops on border

BAGHDAD – Turkey has massed 140,000 soldiers on its border with northern Iraq but so far there have been no violations, Iraq’s foreign minister said Monday.

Hoshyar Zebari’s comments came amid calls by Turkey’s military for the government to give it the green light to carry out military operations in northern Iraqi against the rebel Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK.

“Turkey is building up forces on the border. There are 140,000 soldiers fully armed on the border. We are against any military interference or violation of Iraqi sovereignty,” Zebari said during a news conference in Baghdad.

He said that any problem should be solved through dialogue adding that “Turkey’s fears are legitimate but such things can be discussed.”

AP