( Cihan ) - US State Department asserted the US position that a Turkish invasion into northern Iraq to fight the PKK terrorist organization would "not be a good idea.
The US has opposed to the creation of a buffer zone along the Turkish-Iraq border in order to bolster defense against infiltration of terrorists into Turkey, saying that an incursion into Iraq would not be "a good idea."
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, the US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said that the US understood the losses which Turkish people have suffered as a result of terrorist acts by the PKK.
McCormack went on to say that the Iraqi government had a responsibility to fight terrorism, but that the US did not believe a cross-border incursion to extend such a buffer zone was a good idea.
"We don't think any -- such an incursion into Iraq by Turkish forces is a good idea," said McCormack, in response to a question on the creating of a buffer zone.
"Clearly the Iraqis have responsibilities to fight terrorism. And the Turkish government has responsibilities also to be a good neighbor," he added.
Turkish troops have been carrying out operations along the border with Iraq over the last week, since a suicide bombing at a gendarmerie outpost last Wednesday led to the deaths of seven Turkish soldiers.
Turkey has not declared any incursion of Turkish troops into northern Iraq, but has reserved the right of 'hot pursuit,' to pursue PKK terrorist cells which flee during combat across the border. Turkey has proposed the creation of a "buffer zone," to be cleared of terrorist groups and the refugee camps within which they find shelter, for several miles within the borders of northern Iraq. US opposes buffer zone on Turkey-Iraq border