Turkish forces have shelled a village in northern Iraq as their parliamentarians decide whether to authorise a major cross-border operation. The bombardment, said to be one of many in recent days, was aimed at a village five kilometres from the Turkish border, in Dahuk Province, part of the mountainous border region from where Ankara believes separatist PKK Kurdish rebels are staging attacks inside Turkey.

The Bush administration, already concerned at rising tension over Congress’ Armenian genocide accusations, has despatched senior state department officials to Ankara. 60,000 troops are said to be in position on Turkey’s southern border with Iraq. Condoleezza Rice has said it’s not an easy time for the diplomatic relationship.

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