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Turkey 'launches new Iraq raids' Turkey hits rebels in new attacks
(about 2 hours later)
Turkish forces have launched further attacks against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq, officials there say. The Turkish army says it has killed 41 more Kurdish rebels in the most recent clashes of its incursion in north Iraq.
The security officials say the raids targeted Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) positions near the border overnight. There is no word on any casualties. Two Turkish troops also died in the fighting that brought the toll of rebels killed to 153 since Thursday, a statement on the army website said.
The Iraqi government has urged Turkey to withdraw its forces, which were sent across the border on Thursday to confront PKK rebels. A Kurdish news agency said that Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) rebels had forced the Turkish army to retreat in some areas.
The new fighting prompted the Turkish president to postpone an African trip. The Iraqi government has urged Turkey to withdraw its forces.
The Turkish army on Monday released new footage of helicopters taking off from an unnamed military base in the south. But a spokesman for the Turkish government spokesman said Turkey had the right to defend itself against attacks launched from northern Iraq and operations would continue for as long as necessary.
The new fighting has prompted the Turkish president to postpone an African trip.
Booby traps
The army targeted about 30 PKK shelters during the fourth day of heavy shelling, destroying weapons and equipment, according to the army website.
Funerals for Turkish guards have been taking place in border towns
Clashes between ground troops were also continuing.
"Terrorists trying to flee the region under our troops' control suffered heavy losses under fire from close quarters overnight," according to the statement by the Turkish army's general staff.
Retreating rebels had set booby traps under dead bodies and planted mines on escape routes, the military said.
Earlier, the army had released footage of helicopters taking off from an unnamed military base in the south.
It also showed military vehicles transporting soldiers, as well as infrared sensor images of bombing attacks.It also showed military vehicles transporting soldiers, as well as infrared sensor images of bombing attacks.
It is not clear where or when the footage was recorded, but Iraqi Kurd officials say Turkish forces struck PKK positions about 20km (12 miles) from the border early on Monday. It is not clear where or when the footage was recorded, but Iraqi Kurd officials say Turkish forces struck PKK positions about 20km (12 miles) from the border.
The Associated Press news agency reports that the sound of artillery fire could be heard in the border town of Cukurca.
US concernUS concern
The Turkish authorities launched the cross-border attack on Thursday night, after accusing the Iraqi government of failing to stop the PKK from using the area as a safe haven. Seventeen Turkish troops have been killed since the fighting started and funerals attended by military commanders and top politicians have been taking place in border towns.
Click to view a detailed map of the border regionEnlarge MapClick to view a detailed map of the border regionEnlarge Map
Ankara says more than 112 PKK militants have been killed, as well as 15 of its own soldiers, since the fighting flared up again. The Turkish authorities launched the cross-border attack on Thursday night, after accusing the Iraqi government of failing to stop the PKK from using the area as a safe haven.
Washington has called on Turkey to keep its campaign in Iraq - another US ally - as short as possible.Washington has called on Turkey to keep its campaign in Iraq - another US ally - as short as possible.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul was due to begin a four-day trip to Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo on Tuesday.Turkish President Abdullah Gul was due to begin a four-day trip to Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo on Tuesday.
A presidential spokesman told AFP news agency that the visit had been postponed because "the president wished to be in Ankara while the operation is still under way".A presidential spokesman told AFP news agency that the visit had been postponed because "the president wished to be in Ankara while the operation is still under way".
More than 30,000 people have been killed since the PKK began fighting for a Kurdish homeland in south-eastern Turkey in 1984.More than 30,000 people have been killed since the PKK began fighting for a Kurdish homeland in south-eastern Turkey in 1984.
The US, the EU and Turkey regard the PKK as a terrorist organisation.The US, the EU and Turkey regard the PKK as a terrorist organisation.