Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!

Just when you thought things in Iraq couldn't get any more complicated . . . enter Tom Turkey.

ANKARA, Turkey - The Turkish government will seek parliamentary approval for a military operation against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq, a government spokesman said Monday, taking action on one of two major issues straining relations with Washington.

The spokesman, Cemil Cicek, said he hoped Parliament would vote on the motion this week — passage is considered likely — but indicated that the government would still prefer a solution to the conflict that does not involve a cross-border offensive.

Cicek insisted the only target was the rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party, known as the PKK.

"We have always respected the sovereignty of Iraq, which is a friendly and brotherly country to us," Cicek said. "But the reality that everyone knows is that this terrorist organization, which has bases in the north of Iraq, is attacking the territorial integrity of Turkey and its citizens." (H/T - Yahoo!)

I don't buy their explanation at all. Turkey has been at odds with Iraq for years, and in my opinion, they are seeing an opening. Pretty soon, they'll be trying a land-grab at Iraq's expense. Then, it'll only be a matter of time until our forces over there get caught up in some Turkey/PKK skirmish. And when that happens we'll have to retaliate. Then Iran walks in, and the next thing you know, it's World War III.

I would like to think that Turkey would utilize some restraint here, but I doubt restraint is one of their strong points.