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US wants Turkey to enter Afghanistan combat missions |
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Written by The New Anatolian
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Friday, 08 February 2008 |
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The United States has asked Turkey to fight against the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan with operational forces.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates reportedly sent a letter to the Turkish government saying Turkey should help more actively in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan.
He reportedly suggested that Turkey should deploy operational forces and fight Taliban in eastern and southern Afghanistan.
Gates wanted Turkey to deploy more troops in Afghanistan but if this was not possible then it wanted Turks to redefine the role of their existing troops in the country and allow them to be involved in combat missions.
Turkish forces are currently stationed only in Kabul and are not involved in military operations. They are allowed to shoot only if they come under attack.
Observers said the U.S. now wants Turkey to be more involved in Afghanistan in return for its backing against the PKK in northern Iraq. The U.S. is providing real time intelligence and opening Iraqi airspace for Turkish jets to raid PKK hideouts in northern Iraq.
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