“An operation into Iraq is necessary.”

Turkish Army amasses on Iraq border.

Military trucks hauled more tanks and guns to the border area Thursday, although the US State Department had stated a day earlier that it had seen nothing to substantiate reports of a significant movement of Turkish military forces in the area near the country’s border with Iraq.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his government would back any military decision to stage a cross-border offensive, though the military had not asked for written permission.

But Buyukanit said he had already asked for approval during a news conference April 12. “I don’t have to ask for anything in written form,” he declared. Buyukanit had said: “An operation into Iraq is necessary.”