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Turkey's air force hits IS and PKK in Syria and Iraq Turkey's air force hits IS and PKK in Syria and Iraq
(34 minutes later)
Turkish air force jets have carried out fresh strikes against Islamic State (IS) positions in Syria and also hit Kurdish militants in northern Iraq. Turkey's air force is attacking Islamic State (IS) positions in Syria and Kurdish PKK militants in northern Iraq to defend the country's security, Turkish PM Ahmet Davutoglu says.
It was the second successive night that Turkey had targeted IS. Mr Davutoglu added that 590 suspected IS and PKK members had been arrested.
It follows a week which saw a bomb attack blamed on IS kill 32 people in the Turkish town of Suruc, and border clashes with the militant group. It follows a week which saw a bomb attack blamed on IS kill 32 people in the Turkish town of Suruc.
The Iraq strikes were the first time Turkey had attacked the Kurdistan Workers' Party since a 2013 truce. Subsequent clashes with IS fighters on the Turkey-Syria border led to the death of a Turkish soldier.
The group, also known as the PKK, has been fighting Turkey for an autonomous homeland for the Kurds for decades. The PKK's military wing said it had killed two Turkish police officers on Wednesday, claiming they had collaborated with IS in the bombing in Suruc, which targeted left-wing activists.
In a statement on its website quoted by Reuters news agency, the PKK said: "The truce has no meaning any more after these intense air strikes by the occupant Turkish army."
The PKK's military wing said it killed two Turkish police officers on Wednesday. The group claims the men had collaborated with IS in the bombing in Suruc, which targeted left-wing activists.
A government statement issued on Saturday said the air force had hit PKK shelters, bunkers, storage facilities and other "logistic points" in northern Iraq, including the Qandil mountains where the PKK's high command is based.
It did not give details of what the jets had targeted in their attacks on IS in Syria.
Turkey's military had also shelled Islamic State and PKK positions from across the Turkish border, the statement said.
Turkey was "determined to take every step to ensure the peace and security of our people", it added.
Areas of northern Syria cleared of IS fighters will become a natural "safe zones", Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters on Saturday.
Turkey arrested hundreds of suspected IS supporters on Friday, and has also said it will let the US use a key airbase to attack IS targets.
Fresh raids by the security forces targeting suspected IS and PKK members took place early on Saturday in several Turkish provinces, including Istanbul, Ankara, Konya and Manisa.
Analysis: Mark Lowen, BBC Turkey correspondentAnalysis: Mark Lowen, BBC Turkey correspondent
Within a week, Turkey has gone from reluctant observer of the coalition against IS to military strikes, opening up its bases to warplanes and bombing of PKK positions. What changed?Within a week, Turkey has gone from reluctant observer of the coalition against IS to military strikes, opening up its bases to warplanes and bombing of PKK positions. What changed?
Partly it's months of negotiations between Washington and Ankara. General John Allen, the US envoy for the anti-IS coalition, has paid several visits here to twist arms. The Turkish government pushed for a no-fly area to be implemented inside Syria. It appears Washington gave some ground, accepting a "buffer zone" to clear IS militants from close to the Turkish border, patrolled by US and Turkish warplanes.Partly it's months of negotiations between Washington and Ankara. General John Allen, the US envoy for the anti-IS coalition, has paid several visits here to twist arms. The Turkish government pushed for a no-fly area to be implemented inside Syria. It appears Washington gave some ground, accepting a "buffer zone" to clear IS militants from close to the Turkish border, patrolled by US and Turkish warplanes.
The suicide bomb last week in Suruc, which killed 32 people and was blamed on IS, was a catalyst.The suicide bomb last week in Suruc, which killed 32 people and was blamed on IS, was a catalyst.
But it seems Turkey insisted that strikes against IS go hand-in-hand with those against the PKK. That complicates matters: the coalition is working with Kurdish forces against IS and a fragile ceasefire with the PKK may now end, raising fears of renewed Kurdish violence in Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has one eye on possible new elections in the autumn, hoping to court nationalist voters. A hard line against the PKK would help that.But it seems Turkey insisted that strikes against IS go hand-in-hand with those against the PKK. That complicates matters: the coalition is working with Kurdish forces against IS and a fragile ceasefire with the PKK may now end, raising fears of renewed Kurdish violence in Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has one eye on possible new elections in the autumn, hoping to court nationalist voters. A hard line against the PKK would help that.
Profile: The PKKProfile: The PKK
Suruc massacre highlights Turkey's Islamic State dilemmaSuruc massacre highlights Turkey's Islamic State dilemma
A government statement on Saturday morning said the air force had hit PKK shelters, bunkers, storage facilities and other "logistic points" in northern Iraq, including the Qandil mountains where the PKK's high command is based.
It did not give details of what the jets had targeted in their attacks on IS in Syria.
Turkey's military had also shelled Islamic State and PKK positions from across the Turkish border, the statement said.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Prime Minister Davutoglu said: "Unfortunately Turkey is surrounded by a ring of fire.
"In such an atmosphere, Turkey tries to keep her democracy and development alive... these operations have carried a message to the countries in the region and to international circles: whatever happens in Syria and Iraq, in our border regions, we will not allow them to threaten Turkey's security and will not hesitate to take necessary measures."
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said areas of northern Syria cleared of IS fighters would become natural "safe zones".
Turkey has also said it will let the US use a key airbase to attack IS targets.
'Truce has no meaning'
The overnight air strikes in northern Iraq were the first time Turkey had attacked the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) since a 2013 truce.
The group has been fighting Turkey for an autonomous homeland for the Kurds for decades.
In a statement on its website quoted by Reuters news agency, the PKK said: "The truce has no meaning any more after these intense air strikes by the occupant Turkish army."
The Turkish government has faced criticism at home and abroad for not doing enough against IS, despite being part of the international coalition fighting it.The Turkish government has faced criticism at home and abroad for not doing enough against IS, despite being part of the international coalition fighting it.
Friday's air strikes marked the first time Turkey has confirmed air strikes against targets in Syria since IS began its advance through Iraq and Syria in 2013. The first round of anti-IS air strikes on Friday marked the first time Turkey had confirmed air strikes against targets in Syria since IS began its advance through Iraq and Syria in 2013.
"This is a process," Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said. "It is not limited to one day or to one region. The slightest movement threatening Turkey will be retaliated against in the strongest way possible." The agreement to let the US use the Incirlik airbase, following months of negotiations, was made in a phone call between President Barack Obama and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan - but has yet to be approved by the Turkish cabinet.
He said Turkey was prepared to send troops across the border into Syria "if there was such a need".
The agreement to let the US use the Incirlik airbase, following months of negotiations, was finalised in a phone call between President Barack Obama and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
It could allow the US to step up air strikes against IS, as it is closer to northern Syria and Iraq than the Gulf, which currently serves as a launch-pad for bombing missions.It could allow the US to step up air strikes against IS, as it is closer to northern Syria and Iraq than the Gulf, which currently serves as a launch-pad for bombing missions.
Mr Erdogan said the US-led coalition against IS would be allowed to use the base "within a certain framework" - but did not specify what this would be.
A return to IncirlikA return to Incirlik
The US military is more than familiar with the southern Turkish base, and its recent history is tied closely with recent US military operations.The US military is more than familiar with the southern Turkish base, and its recent history is tied closely with recent US military operations.
What is your reaction to the Syrian air strikes and the raids in Turkey? Are you nearby? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your story.What is your reaction to the Syrian air strikes and the raids in Turkey? Are you nearby? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your story.
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