While Kurdistan prospers, Turkish military threat looms

While Kurds in northern Iraq have welcomed the relative autonomy that they have been afforded since the U.S. invasion of Iraq, they are also preparing for what could be a whole new battle as Turkey builds its military presence on the Turkey-Iraq border, according to Asia Times Online.

Turkey, which has a large Kurdish population, is no stranger to conflict with the Kurds. They have a history of conflict with the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK) and fear the bolstered regional power the group may attain should Iraqi Kurdistan achieve full autonomy.

Much is at stake in this complex situation. Kurdistan has its eye on the oil-rich city of Kirkuk in northern Iraq, which if obtained would supply Kurdistan with considerable political and economic leverage. Also, there is the delicate issue of Turkey-U.S. relations. If Turkey invades Kurdistan, the U.S. will be forced to adjust its relationship with its NATO ally. Finally, Turkey would be risking huge political and military loss by invading Kurdistan.

With diplomatic relations between Turkey and Kurdistan almost non-existent, prospects for a peaceful solution are uncertain.

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