Turkish army hits PKK targets in northern Iraq

Turkish warplanes launched airstrikes against the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) militant targets in northern Iraq overnight, local NTV broadcaster reported on Wednesday.

Turkish F-16 jets reportedly hit targets in the Metina, Gare, Zap and Avasin, Baysan areas of northern Iraq, targeting storage units and shelters for the militants.

The group has hideouts in Qandil Mountains of the northern Iraq where thousands of PKK militants are taking shelter.

Tensions between Turkish security forces and the PKK are increasing after an Islamic State (IS) suicide bombing on July 20 killed 32 people and injured 104 others in the town of Suruc in the Sanliurfa province bordering Syria.

Turkey has relapsed into clashes since the collapse of a cease-fire with the PKK in July.

The PKK has been carrying attacks against the Turkish security forces almost every day since then. The assaults triggered military operations by the Turkish Armed Forces against the group after two years of de facto truce between the PKK and the government.

Renewed conflicts led to the suspension of the peace process launched in 2012 between the Turkish state and the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan.

The PKK, which has thus far claimed the lives of over 40,000 individuals, is firmly recognized as a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. Endit