Turkey, Iran cooperate against Iraqi Kurds

ISTANBUL, Turkey, June 5 (UPI) -- Turkey and Iran are cooperating in joint military efforts against Kurdish separatists in northern Iraq, Turkey's top military leader said.

Chief of Turkish General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit announced at an Istanbul symposium on the future of the Middle East that the two countries were sharing intelligence and coordinating strikes against PKK rebels in Iraq, reported the Turkish news service Hurriyet Thursday.

"Iraq will be the center of the instability in the case its current structure continues, and will threaten Turkey's security," Buyukanit said. "Policies that would prevent the escalation of new problems in the region and keep the region free of nuclear weapons are highly important for a Middle East living in peace and stability"

Turkey was provided with intelligence on PKK movements in Iraq by the United States before it carried out several air strikes and a week-long ground incursion into northern Iraq in February, reported Hurriyet.