Turkish, U.S. military leaders discuss PKK

ANKARA, Turkey, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. and Turkish military officials discussed cooperation in fighting the Kurdistan Workers Party and Turkish combat missions in Afghanistan.

The meeting between Turkish Gen. Ergin Saygun and U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Marines Gen. James Cartwright underscored the level of military cooperation between Turkey and the United States against the militant Kurdish organization known as PKK located in northern Iraq, The New Anatolian reported Thursday. The U.S. military is providing real-time intelligence to Turkey on PKK hideouts and opening Iraqi airspace for Turkish air raids.

U.S. officials also pressed Turkey to take a more active role in Afghanistan in fighting Taliban and al-Qaida, the Anatolian said. Although it sends troops to Afghanistan, Turkey as resisted sending its soldiers into combat areas.

PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department.