"We are worried that the decision constitutes the start of a process with an uncertain future. The decision, taken despite opposition from the people, has brought Turkey to the edge of war," the Democratic People's Partysaid in a statement.

The parliament on Tuesday approved a motion authorising the government to send troops to Iraq for a maximum of one year, leaving the size, location and time of the deployment to be worked out in negotiations with the United States.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has argued that military involvement in Iraq will boost ties with key ally the United States and ensure Ankara a say in developments in Iraq and the region.

But DEHAP claimed that the decision was pay-back for an 8.5 billion-dollar loan Washington has offered to Ankara for cooperation in Iraq and US pledges to wipe out the threat posed by Turkish Kurds rebels hiding in northern Iraq.

Turkey and the United States have recently reached agreement on an action plan against the some 5,000 Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels in northern Iraq.

Both Ankara and Washington view the PKK, recently renamed KADEK, as "terrorist" on account of its 15-year bloody armed campaign for self-rule in southeastern Turkey.

DEHAP said it was unconvinced by the government's arguments that the troops would not go to Iraq to take part in the occupation but to help in installing peace and stability.

"The government, which does not expend sufficient efforts to establish peace at home, cannot contribute to peace and stability in Iraq," it added, in reference to Ankara's refusal to allow the PKK to participate in Turkish politics to facilitate the resolution of the dispute.

WAR.WIRE