Turkey's top general has called for military operations in northern Iraq against Kurdish rebels hiding there.

But Yasar Buyukanit, the head of the Turkish military's General Staff, said a political decision was needed before any such cross-border operation could be made.

"Do we need to have an operation into northern Iraq? There are two aspects to this issue," he said. "First, from a military point of view, an operation in northern Iraq must be made. Will there be any benefits? Yes there will be. The second aspect is political. To make an operation beyond our borders, there must be a political decision."
Possibly responding to threats by Massoud Barzani to inflame Turkish Kurds if Turkey interferes over Kirkuk. The Turkish Army has recently launched an offensive against the PKK in southeast Turkey and taken casualties.