Sunday, November 22, 2009 12:18 [Daily Archive]

English Hurriyet English with wires
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Turkish military confirms air operation in N.Iraq
Turkish warplanes on Wednesday targeted a group of outlawed PKK separatists attempting to infiltrate Turkey from the Khakurk region of northern Iraq, the General Staff said in a brief statement posted on its website on Thursday.

Turkish military confirms air operation in N.Iraq

It added the warplanes had "neutralized" the armed group, but gave no figures on the casualties.

The bombardment began at about 3 p.m.(1300 GMT) and lasted for about 45 minutes, a pro-AKP news agency had reported after the raid Wednesday, quoting PKK sources.

Turkish warplanes have targeted terrorist positions in northern Iraq since mid-December. In February, the army conducted a week-long ground offensive against PKK hideouts in the region, where more than 2,000 militants take refuge.

The Turkish government has a one-year parliamentary authorization, which expires in October, for cross-border raids against the PKK. The United States has backed Turkish military action against the rebels by providing real-time intelligence on PKK movements in Iraq.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist group by Turkey and much of the international community, including the EU and the U.S.   

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