Turkey on parade as Iraq warns against raids

TURKEY paraded its military muscle yesterday, amid stern warnings from Baghdad that any large-scale Turkish incursion against Kurdish rebel bases in northern Iraq would have “disastrous” results.

In the capital Ankara, tanks and rocket launchers were on display in the annual national day parade as Turks celebrated the 84th anniversary of the secular republic’s creation by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

In stark contrast to the festive mood across most of the country, Turkish troops faced off with some 100 rebels in the Ikiyaka mountains in the south east.