BAGHDAD, Oct 28 (AFP): Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has agreed with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki that the crisis with Turkey over Kurdish rebels can be solved peacefully, Maliki's office said Sunday.
"Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki received a telephone call yesterday (Saturday) from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and both leaders stressed the necessity of confronting the terrorist activities of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)," a statement from Maliki's office said. "Both leaders agreed the activities of the PKK were damaging the interests of Iraq, Turkey and Iran but stressed that military action is not the only option to deal with it. The crisis could be solved peacefully."
Ankara has threatened to take military action against PKK rear-bases in northern Iraq after a flurry of deadly attacks against the Turkish army in recent weeks.
A high-level Iraqi delegation travelled to Ankara on Friday to try to dissuade Turkish leaders from launching an incursion but failed to satisfy their concerns.
Iran has also faced attacks by PKK-linked Kurdish rebels in recent months operating from rear-bases inside Iraq.
Iran has responded by shelling border districts suspected of harbouring bases of the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK).
Activities of PKK damaging interests of Iraq, Turkey and Iran
FE Team | Published: October 29, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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