World Report: November 2, 2007 Vol. 13 Iss. 9
- This Issue:
- Table of Contents
- Cover Story
- Cover Story - Spanish Version
- Mini-Lesson
- Comprehension Quiz
- Teacher's Guide and Worksheets
Border Tensions
Turkey is in a tense border standoff with its neighbor to the southeast, Iraq. Last week, Turkish warplanes crossed the border to bomb northern Iraq. Turkey believes that the area is a hideout for rebels who are Kurds. On October 21, rebels attacked Turkish soldiers.
The Kurds are an ethnic group living in southeast Turkey and northern Iraq, as well as in parts of Iran and Syria (see map). They have their own language and culture. For centuries, Kurds have dreamed of carving out their own independent nation.
Turkey does not want the Kurds to set up a nation that includes part of its territory. Turkish leaders claim that some rebels train and get supplies in Iraq. Turkey wants Iraq to stop the rebels.
The Kurdish north is one of the most stable parts of Iraq. Still, Iraq may not be able to rein in the rebels. "When the Iraqi government becomes capable of controlling Baghdad's security, then the others can ask us to control the borders," Iraqi parliament speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani told reporters.
The U.S. uses military bases in Turkey to supply American troops fighting in Iraq. But the U.S. is also on good terms with the Kurds. American leaders are caught in the middle.
