Iraqi Kurd official says PKK is not under their control

Barzani said they, as the Kurdish government in northern Iraq, did not support the violence led by the PKK in Turkey, adding this was a political matter and it required a political solution as well.   Â

Ankara accuses Iraqi Kurds of harboring and aiding the outlawed separatist PKK, whose militants use bases in the mountains of northern Iraq to launch attacks across the border.

"We don't want the PKK to use our lands to attack Turkey... We, as the Kurds, want to have good relations with our neighbors," he said.

Barzani said the Kurdish administration was not responsible for the activities of the PKK as it is under neither their control nor their influence.

He added they would strive for a political solution as any other ways for a solution, except political, will lead to bloodshed on both sides.

Barzani last week met a Turkish delegation in Baghdad to handle issues that caused tension in relations recently.

In February, Turkish forces conducted a week-long ground offensive against PKK hideouts in the region, drawing protests from Iraqi Kurds and Baghdad. Tensions eased a week after the cross-border operation when Talabani, a Kurd, visited Ankara and pledged cooperation against the PKK.

Since mid-December, Turkish warplanes have bombed PKK positions in northern Iraq and at least 150 militants were killed in the latest raid last week, according to reports issued by the Turkish military.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist group by Turkey and much of the international community, including the EU and the U.S..

Photo: AA