U.S. Tells Ankara That It Ordered Mission Force In Tal Afar To Protect Civilians

ANKARA - United States Friday told Turkey that it ordered the mission force carrying out the operation in Tal Afar to protect civilians.
Turkish Foreign Ministry sources said U.S. officials said mission force carrying out the operation was ordered to protect the civilians, noting extreme care was shown.
U.S. officials said the operation was launched to render ineffective an 300-people group of insurgents, stating that sensitivities of Ankara regarding Turkmens would be taken into consideration.
An official from U.S. Embassy in Ankara earlier said information was given to Turkish Foreign Ministry Middle East Department Director General Tahsin Burcuoglu about the operation in Tal Afar.
The official said the operation was targeting followers of Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr and the insurgents, not the Turkmens. He said the United States was taking efforts to avoid civilian casualties and make sure that humanitarian aid can reach the area.
The official said some civilians have left the city temporarily.
Turkey on Friday called on the United States to urgently put an end to the operation against Tal Afar, protect civilian people, not to use extreme force and provide foodstuff and health aid to the people.

(AY) 10.09.2004