Turkey Readies Aid for Telafer

The city is currently the scene of fierce clashes between resisters and American led troops. Washington reportedly finds Turkey’s willingness to send aid to the region crucial and positive in terms of Ankara’s collaboration in Iraq.

In Telafer, where the US siege entered its seventh day yesterday, there are growing fears of a humanitarian crisis. Media have not been allowed to enter the city, and there is no running water or electricity. Some of the inhabitants of Telafer fled their homes and are now living in a makeshift camp of 420 tents on the outskirts of the city. There are also claims that American soldiers opened fire on civilians.

Official sources put the number of Turkmen casualties at 57, while Turkmen sources claim more than double that amount. The latest figure from the Turkmen puts the number of dead at 128.