Kurdish Authorities have warned of Turkish ground operation

The Kurdish Regional Administration has allegedly warned residents of the Sidekan region to leave their villages as the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) are ready to carry out a ground operation. Sidekan is a mountainous area in Northern Iraq.

Local sources have said to ANF that officials of the Kurdish Regional Administration visited villages in Sidekan and warned them about a possible "ground operation". The officials encouraged the locals to leave their villages since the administration would not be able to protect them. It was said that the villagers did not follow their request.

Massoud Barzani, President of the Iraqi Kurdish Region, said last Tuesday that in case of a ground war in their region, they will resume the necessary attitude. Yet, he added, "right now diplomacy is important".

The TSK started sending personnel to the border region on Tuesday. It was announced that 2,000 commandos were sent. The TSK has also done logistic transfers before.

source: http://www.rojhelat.nu/english/component/content/article/1528-kurdish-authority-warned-of-turkish-ground-operation-