[RightWhale]

Are Turkish troups generally in this part of Iraq with its permission and knowledge?

Turkey has been operating in this region for 10 years with the full knowledge of Iraq, but not their permission. This region has effectively become non-Iraqi territory.

[dyed_in_the_wool]

This region has effectively become non-Iraqi territory.

Of course, many moons ago, it was all part of the Ottoman Empire. As far as the Turks are concerned, all of these little countries are just splinters (Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Israel/Palestine, etc.)
The kicker is, if the Brits had let them in on their side in WWI, they would still control the region. Read A Peace to End All Peace and you'll see what I mean.

[Thud]

Well, actually Saddam feels that the Turks are almost as good as he is at oppressing the Kurds. If he can't do it himself, he'd rather somebody else do it and the Turks are OK.

""Are Turkish troups generally in this part of Iraq with its permission and knowledge?""

"Turkey has been operating in this region for 10 years with the full knowledge of Iraq, but not their permission. This region has effectively become non-Iraqi territory."

[xzins]

Turkey has been operating in this region for 10 years with the full knowledge of Iraq, but not their permission. This region has effectively become non-Iraqi territory.

Bingo.

And Turkey wants BACK what was formerly theirs.

A__Turk is right on. Get 'em looking left and then feint right, then go hard center.

[Robert_Paulson2]

"This region has effectively become non-Iraqi territory."

I like the sound of that.