VOA常速英语2007年-Turkey Launches Air, Artillery Attacks on North

By Dorian Jones
Istanbul
16 December 2007

Turkish jets have launched airstrikes against Kurdish rebels bases in northern Iraq. According to Iraqi authorities one civilian¹ was killed and several others were injured. Kurdish rebels say Turkish air and artillery² strikes deep inside northern Iraq have killed five rebel fighters.Turkey accuses the rebels of using Iraq as a base to launch attacks against it. The head of Turkey's military says the United States gave approval for Turkey to stage a military strike. Iraqi Foreign Ministry³ called in Turkey's ambassador in Baghdad to receive a protest against the strikes. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul.

 

According to the Turkish military, its air force launched comprehensive air strikes against bases of the Kurdish Workers Party, the PKK, in northern Iraq. A number of remote villages are believed to have been hit.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said the strikes were solely⁴ aimed at the PKK. Ankara accuses the PKK of using Northern Iraq as a base to launch attacks in Turkey.

Speaking at a rally of his supporters, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said the attacks were part of the government's determined⁵ approach against the rebels.  He said the struggle for the unity⁶, peace and salvation⁷ of his country will continue in full determination both inside and outside the country.

 

The attacks, which according to Turkish media reports involved large numbers of jets, occurred early Sunday and were followed by barrages⁸ of heavy artillery.

Following PKK attacks earlier this year that claimed scores of Turkish casualties, Turkey massed about 100,000 solders⁹ close to the Iraqi frontier. The Turkish parliament has also sanctioned a cross-border operation.

The Kurdish separatists have been fighting for greater autonomy for more than 20 years in a conflict that has claimed more than 30,000 lives. Turkey has warned that further attacks against the PKK can be expected.

Retired¹⁰ general Haldun Solmazturk, who fought the PKK for eight years, says such strikes are part of a psychological war against the rebels.

"A small-scale operation focusing mainly on PKK elements, based on sound intelligence now we understand that is being provided by the Americans, would achieve above a psychological effect that would carry the message to the PKK, that Northern Iraq is not a safe haven¹¹ and it can be reached anytime by the Turkish state," he said.

According to observers these latest strikes are part of a carrot-and-stick approach towards the PKK. Earlier this week Prime Minister Erdogan announced he is considering changing the law to make it easier to allow more rebels to surrender, and receive an amnesty.

In the past few weeks Turkish forces have also been distributing leaflets in areas where the PKK is believe to operate calling on the rebels to surrender. This strategy is expected to result in further strikes into Iraq, in a bid to keep up the pressure on the rebels.

1 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

2 artillery   

n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队)

参考例句：

• This is a heavy artillery piece.这是一门重炮。
• The artillery has more firepower than the infantry.炮兵火力比步兵大。

3 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

4 solely   

adv.仅仅，唯一地

参考例句：

• Success should not be measured solely by educational achievement.成功与否不应只用学业成绩来衡量。
• The town depends almost solely on the tourist trade.这座城市几乎完全靠旅游业维持。

5 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

6 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

7 salvation   

n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困

参考例句：

• Salvation lay in political reform.解救办法在于政治改革。
• Christians hope and pray for salvation.基督教徒希望并祈祷灵魂得救。

8 barrages   

n.弹幕射击( barrage的名词复数 )；火力网；猛烈炮火；河上的堰坝v.火力攻击（或阻击）( barrage的第三人称单数 )；以密集火力攻击（或阻击）

参考例句：

• In many Basidiomycetes barrages develop. 在许多担子菌中也发生一些栅栏。 来自辞典例句
• It's fun to be able to run around and do instant Barrages. 一边瞬发奥术弹幕一边四处跑确实很有趣。 来自互联网

9 solders   

n.焊料，焊锡( solder的名词复数 )v.（使）焊接，焊合( solder的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• We fused the pipes with solders. 我们用焊锡熔接管子。 来自辞典例句
• Solders ate a great number of potatoes during World War II. 第二次世界大战期间的士兵吃了很多的土豆。 来自互联网

10 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

11 haven   

n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所

参考例句：

• It's a real haven at the end of a busy working day.忙碌了一整天后，这真是一个安乐窝。
• The school library is a little haven of peace and quiet.学校的图书馆是一个和平且安静的小避风港。