An estimated 10,000 Turkish troops invaded Iraq backed by the Turkish air force. They were not part of the Coalition's invasion. They had their own mission. This is part of the war against Kurds on Turkish soil. The imperialists, through their "agreements", have refused to allow the Kurdish people their right to a nation. Kurdistan was divided between Iran and Iraq. Successive Turkish regimes and Saddam's regime in Iraq have stood for brutal repression. The imperialist�s accusations of genocide referred to his brutal treatment of Kurds. They have made no accusations against their ally Turkey even though Turkish barbarism against the Kurds has been similar to that of Saddam.
The invasion of Iraq has given the Kurds a bit of a respite. There has been no promise of self-determination (indeed the contrary) but the coalition supporting Kurds have lived in their territory in safety, knowing that neither the coalition nor internal puppet regime was likely to attack them.
But of course, Kurdish fighters against Turkey have crossed the border seeking safety. We fully support them doing this. But Turkey will not allow them to have any safe haven. So in the name of "fighting terrorism" Turkey invades. America has declared its support for Turkey "against terrorism".
This is indeed hypocrisy. When Saddam brutally repressed the Kurds it (according to America) was genocidal. But when turkey uses similar brutal methods it is "fighting terrorism". It all depends on where you stand in relation to US foreign policy. It is noteworthy that both the Iraqi government and Kevin Rudd have differentiated themselves from America in that they call for Turkish withdrawal. What they don't support though is Kurdish victory. Kurds should have the right to self-determination in relation to Iraq and Turkey!
The vanguard of the Kurdish struggle is the PKK. This is a Stalinist organization. We have no faith in its politics. But they get our full military support when fighting Turkey. A military victory for the Kurdish fighters which would mean self-determination for Kurdistan would mean a significant democratic gain. It would also give impetus to proletarian revolution not just within Kurdistan but within Turkey, Iraq and the Middle East. But for this to be successful a Trotskyists leadership is necessary. The revolution should not stop merely at democratic tasks. The revolution must go all the way.
Turkey claims to have now left � mission accomplished. But of course, they reserve the right to re-enter. The lesson is that despite claims of concern the allied invasion of Iraq is no guarantee of their self-determination or even their safety.