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Turkish troops die in suspected Kurdish PKK attack | |
(40 minutes later) | |
Eight Turkish soldiers have been killed in a suspected attack by Kurdish militants in Hakkari province, close to the Iraqi border. | |
Officials and Turkish media said the troops died after their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb or mine. There were also reports of a shoot-out. | |
Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz blamed the attack on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). | |
There has been an increase in Kurdish rebel attacks since July. | |
Security sources told Reuters news agency that the cause of the latest deaths was a remote-controlled explosive device. AFP news agency reported two separate mine blasts. | |
The attack occurred in the district of Cukurca, and officials said military reinforcements were being deployed to the area. | |
"They [the rebels] are testing our patience. We'll retaliate in kind," Mr Yilmaz was quoted as saying. | |
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also warned recently of tougher action against Kurdish rebels. | Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also warned recently of tougher action against Kurdish rebels. |
Kurds from the PKK have been waging an armed campaign for autonomy that dates back to 1984. | |
More than 40,000 people have been killed in the violence. | More than 40,000 people have been killed in the violence. |
In one attack last month 13 Turkish soldiers and seven Kurdish rebels were killed in the deadliest clash in three years. |