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Turkish troops cross into Iraq to pursue PKK militants

Xinhua, September 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

Turkish troops conducted a cross-border operation into northern Iraq to hunt down the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants, two days after 16 Turkish soldiers were killed in southeastern Turkey, local media reported on Tuesday.

Special Forces and the Gendarmerie Special Operations Unit cooperated in the operation that took place on Monday and Tuesday, the Dogan news agency reported.

The operation included airstrikes, in which 40 jets took part, government officials told local media.

There was no immediate confirmation from the Turkish General Staff about the airstrikes.

On Sunday, 16 Turkish soldiers were killed and several others injured in clashes with the outlawed PKK in the southeastern province of Hakkari.

Clashes between the army and the PKK have been intensified since mid-July, claiming dozens of the lives of security personnel.

The PKK is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. Endit