March 2003
Colin Powell's Three-Day Visit to Turkey and Belgium - 2003-03-31
Colin Powell is visiting Turkey and Belgium to improve U.S. relations with Turkey and NATO allies, which have been strained by the Iraq war. He…
Turkey Temporarily Closes Its Airspace to U.S. Missiles - 2003-03-28
Turkey has temporarily restricted its airspace to U.S. missiles after a Tomahawk missile crashed on its territory. This decision comes amid ongoing military operations related…
Deployment of 30,000 Fresh American Troops to the Persian Gulf - 2003-03-27
The U.S. is deploying over 30,000 troops, including the 4th Infantry Division, to the Persian Gulf to engage in combat against Iraq. This move follows…
Bomb Explosion in Yangon, Capital of Burma - 2003-03-27
A bomb exploded in Yangon during Armed Forces Day ceremonies, killing one and injuring three. Another bomb was found and defused near the U.S. Embassy.…
Deployment of Turkish Forces to Northern Iraq in Case of Refugee Influx
Turkey is preparing to deploy forces to northern Iraq if a refugee crisis occurs, with plans to establish a refugee camp within its borders. Abdullah…
New U.S. Command Center in Kurdish Region - 2003-03-25
The U.S. Army is setting up a command center in northern Iraq's Kurdish region to support humanitarian efforts and maintain security. This move is significant…
Saddam Hussein Recorded a Series of Messages Before the War - 2003-03-25
Before the war, Saddam Hussein recorded several messages to rally Iraqi forces against American and British troops. British Defense Minister Jeffrey Hoon confirmed these messages…
President Bush Warns Turkey to Stay Away from Northern Iraq - 2003-03-25
President Bush has warned Turkey against military intervention in northern Iraq to avoid conflict with Iraqi Kurds. The Iraqi Kurds have threatened retaliation if Turkey…
The United States and Turkey Still Disagree on the Deployment of Turkish Soldiers
The U.S. and Turkey are at an impasse over the deployment of Turkish troops to northern Iraq, with the U.S. and EU opposing the move.…
A Loud Explosion Heard Near the U.S. Fifth Fleet Naval Base
A significant explosion was reported near the U.S. Fifth Fleet Naval Base in Bahrain. Eyewitnesses have confirmed the sound, but the reason for the explosion…
Turkish Soldiers Enter Kurdish Region - 2003-03-22
Turkey has deployed around 1,000 soldiers to northern Iraq to stop Iraqi Kurds from entering Turkey, facing opposition from the U.S. and Iraqi Kurds. The…
Turkey Opens Airspace to Warplanes
Turkey has opened its airspace to U.S. and British warplanes after negotiations regarding Turkish military presence in northern Iraq. This move aims to prevent an…
U.S. Military Supplies Will Not Pass Through Turkey - 2003-03-22
U.S. military supplies will be rerouted through the Suez Canal instead of Turkey, ending efforts to deploy troops from Turkish bases. Over 20 cargo ships…
Turkey's Airspace Remains Closed to US and UK Fighter Jets
Turkey's airspace is still closed to US and UK fighter jets amid ongoing negotiations between US and Turkish officials over the entry of Turkish forces…
Approximately 300,000 American and British Military Personnel Prepare for a Massive and Extensive Attack on Iraq - 2003-03-19
Around 300,000 U.S. and British troops are gearing up for a large-scale attack on Iraq, with President Bush reviewing military plans. The situation escalates as…
Turkey's Government Reintroduces Bill for Deployment of US Forces to Parliament
Turkey's government is reintroducing a bill to allow the deployment of US forces, which was previously rejected by lawmakers due to public opposition. The US…
Turkey: We Act Urgently - 2003-03-18
Turkey is preparing to take urgent action regarding U.S. military operations in Iraq, following a unanimous decision by its political and military leaders. There is…
Turkey Holds Emergency Meeting to Review U.S. Use of Bases and Airspace
Turkey has called an emergency meeting to discuss the potential use of its bases by U.S. forces for an attack on Iraq, with a parliamentary…
Cheney: President Bush Will Make Decision on Iraq in Coming Days - 2003-03-16
Dick Cheney announced that President Bush will decide on Iraq in the next few days, indicating the U.S. is nearing the end of diplomatic efforts.…
Anti-War Protests Against U.S. Preparations for Attack on Iraq - 2003-03-15
Large-scale anti-war protests occurred globally in response to U.S. preparations for an attack on Iraq. Demonstrators in various countries, including Turkey, Iraq, and the UK,…
Bombing of Iraqi Radars at the Jordan Border - 2003-03-15
On March 15, 2003, a U.S. B-1 bomber attacked Iraqi radar sites near the Jordan border. This military action coincided with the movement of U.S.…
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the new Prime Minister of Turkey, takes control of his country - 2003-03-15
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has assumed the role of Prime Minister of Turkey and formed a new cabinet. His government may seek to allow U.S. forces…
U.S. Pressure on Turkey to Allow Use of Its Airspace
The U.S. is exerting pressure on Turkey to permit the use of its airspace for military operations against Iraq, following a recent rejection by the…
President Bush Calls for Clarification on Deployment of American Soldiers in Turkey - 2003-03-14
President Bush urged Turkey to clarify the status of American troop deployment in anticipation of a potential war with Iraq. This request follows Turkey's recent…
Turkey's Supreme Court Bans Activities of Kurdish Party Due to Links with Turkish Kurdish Rebels - 2003-03-13
Turkey's Supreme Court has banned the activities of the HDP due to its ties with Kurdish rebels, imposing a five-year political ban on its leaders.…
Iraq Reconstruction Bidding After Potential War - 2003-03-11
The Bush administration has called for bids from five major American construction firms for the reconstruction of Iraq post-war, with costs potentially reaching $900 million.…
Indian Court Orders Excavation at Disputed Site Between Muslims and Hindus
An Indian court has ordered excavations at a disputed site claimed by both Muslims and Hindus, following the demolition of a mosque by Hindu extremists…
Turkey Seeks Commitment from the U.S.
Turkey is demanding that the U.S. commit to preventing Kurdish independence in northern Iraq before a new vote on U.S. military deployment. This is crucial…
Meeting of the Prime Minister of Ivory Coast with Rebel Leaders - 2003-03-03
The Prime Minister of Ivory Coast, Seydou Diarra, met with rebel leaders to discuss forming a national unity government amid accusations of civilian killings by…
Turkey's Decision to Reject the Deployment of American Soldiers Complicates U.S. Military Planning
Turkey has rejected a U.S. plan to deploy soldiers for a potential war with Iraq, complicating American military strategies. This decision surprised U.S. officials, who…
Senior Member of the Ruling Party: Turkey Has No Immediate Plans for Another Parliamentary Vote
A senior member of Turkey's ruling party announced that there are no immediate plans for another parliamentary vote on a bill to allow the deployment…
Turkish Parliament Approves Deployment of American Forces - 2003-03-01
The Turkish Parliament has approved the deployment of American forces in Turkey for a potential war against Iraq. This decision allows the U.S. to use…