Turkish moves ‘could lead to bloodshed’

MOVES by Turkey to create a military buffer zone between its borders and northern Iraq could lead to mayhem and bloodshed, the human rights group, Amnesty International, has warned.

The Turkish government said yesterday it planned to send soldiers up to 12 miles inside the Iraqi border to prevent refugees from pouring across the border into south eastern Turkey.

The announcement contrasts starkly with indications given to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) that the Turkish authorities would build and provide security for at least six serviced camps in Turkey and a further 12 in Iraq to deal with any refugee crisis that might arise.