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Turkey planes bomb northern Iraq Turkish planes bomb northern Iraq
(about 3 hours later)
Large numbers of Turkish fighter jets have bombed suspected Kurdish rebel bases in northern Iraq, reports say. Turkish warplanes have bombed suspected Kurdish rebel bases deep inside northern Iraq - in what appears the first time fighter jets have been used.
Turkish officials said the warplanes had targeted the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), in areas near the border. They targeted the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in areas near the border, officials said. The Turkish media said up to 50 planes were used.
But officials in northern Iraq said the planes had struck several villages. There were reports that one woman was killed, although this was unconfirmed. Iraqi officials say bombs hit 10 villages, killing one woman, while the PKK reported seven deaths.
Turkey's deputy prime minister said more strikes against "terrorists" were possible in the coming weeks. Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the air strikes as a "success".
"We, as the government, are resolute to remove this trouble from the agenda of our country," Cemil Cicek told the state-run Anatolia news agency. "Our struggle [against the PKK] will continue inside and outside Turkey with the same determination."
Mr Cicek also called on Kurdish militants to lay down their arms and return to their homes, insisting their fight was futile.
Turkey has regularly targeted the PKK inside Iraq in recent months, but this is thought to be the first fighter jet raid outside its own territory.Turkey has regularly targeted the PKK inside Iraq in recent months, but this is thought to be the first fighter jet raid outside its own territory.
Previous strikes had used artillery or helicopters.Previous strikes had used artillery or helicopters.
'Comprehensive campaign''Comprehensive campaign'
The Turkish planes struck several targets in different areas of northern Iraq, according to reports. Private Turkish TV reports spoke of "large numbers" planes involved, with numbers ranging from 20 to 50. The planes hit the regions of Zap, Hakurk and Avasin as well as areas in the Kandil mountains in an operation lasting three hours, the Turkish military said.
The planes hit the regions of Zap, Hakurk and Avasin as well as areas in the Kandil mountains, the military said. A "comprehensive air campaign" was carried out from 0100 on Sunday (2300 GMT Saturday), aimed at "terrorists" and "not conducted against people living in northern Iraq or local groups not engaged in enemy activity", it added.
Click to view a detailed map of the border regionEnlarge Map After the night-time strikes ended, artillery barrages continued across the border from the border town of Cukurca in Turkish territory, reports said. Click to view a detailed map of the border regionEnlarge Map
One of the sorties hit an area near the Kandil mountains, a region further away from the border into Iraqi territory, and regularly cited by Turkey as a centre of PKK activity.One of the sorties hit an area near the Kandil mountains, a region further away from the border into Iraqi territory, and regularly cited by Turkey as a centre of PKK activity.
Turkey's military said a "comprehensive air campaign" had been carried out at 0100 on Sunday (2300 GMT on Saturday). Cross-border artillery barrages followed from the town of Cukurca in Turkish territory, reports say.
"The operations solely target the... terrorist movement. They are not conducted against people living in northern Iraq or local groups not engaged in enemy activity," the military said in a statement. Local officials in northern Iraq spoke of families fleeing their homes.
But local officials in northern Iraq spoke of families fleeing their homes. Pro-Kurdish media initially reported the death of one woman and the wounding of five other civilians in a village near the Kandil mountains.
A spokesman for Iraqi Kurdish forces said troops were being sent to the Kandil area to check for damage and possible casualties, the AFP news agency reported. The PKK itself reportedly announced on an internet site that five of its fighters and two civilians had been killed in the mountain area, with two fighters wounded.
"Many civilians, among them women and children" were also wounded, the group was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.
There is no confirmation.
Bitter disputeBitter dispute
Ankara toughened its line against the PKK after a spate of rebel attacks inside Turkey that prompted widespread calls for action.Ankara toughened its line against the PKK after a spate of rebel attacks inside Turkey that prompted widespread calls for action.
In October, Turkey's parliament voted to allow the military to launch operations into Iraq to combat the PKK, which had stepped up attacks in Turkey.In October, Turkey's parliament voted to allow the military to launch operations into Iraq to combat the PKK, which had stepped up attacks in Turkey.
Ankara has massed up to 100,000 troops near the mountainous border with northern Iraq, backed by tanks, artillery and warplanes.Ankara has massed up to 100,000 troops near the mountainous border with northern Iraq, backed by tanks, artillery and warplanes.
But Iraq and the US have urged Turkey not to carry out its threat.But Iraq and the US have urged Turkey not to carry out its threat.
As many as 3,000 PKK members are believed to be based inside northern Iraq. Turkey has accused the local Kurdish authorities of supporting them.As many as 3,000 PKK members are believed to be based inside northern Iraq. Turkey has accused the local Kurdish authorities of supporting them.


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