BAGHDAD, July 5 (UPI) -- Turkish officials are protesting Saturday the detention of 11 of its soldiers by U.S. forces in Iraq.
Ankara protested the Friday incident and asked for the immediate release of the Turkish soldiers.
"Such an act coming from a 50 year-old ally has shocked and deeply hurt us," said deputy Chief of General Staff, Gen. Yasar Buyukanit.
The reason for the raid is said to be an allegation that the Turks were preparing an assassination against a Kurdish governor in Iraq.
Some 100 U.S. soldiers entered the building used by Turkey as a base for its special unit that is kept to watch for the subversive activities of Kurdish terrorists.
Friday night Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul phoned his American counterpart, Colin Powell who assured the safety of the soldiers, he said.
