( Reuters ) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday Ankara was prepared to face up to international criticism if it launched an attack on Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq.
Asked about world reaction to any such incursion, Erdogan told reporters: "After going down this route, its cost has already been calculated. Whatever the cost is, it will be met."
Faced with a sharp escalation of attacks by Kurdish militants on Turkish troops, Erdogan's government has decided to seek approval from parliament next week for a major military operation to deal with Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels who use northern Iraq as a base to attack Turkish targets.
The United States and European Union, which Turkey wants to join, have cautioned against such a move.