Turkish jets strike Kurd rebel bases in north Iraq: army

ANKARA- The strikes come after terrorists on Tuesday attacked Turkish military units in the town of Yuksekova in Hakkari province near the Iraqi border. The fighting between Turkish soldiers and rebels claimed 34 lives.

"The targets belonging to the separatist terrorist organisation across the border in the north of Iraq were effectively hit by Turkish Air Force aircraft," the general staff said in a statement posted on its website.

"The jets safely returned to their bases in Turkey after fulfilling their mission successfully," it added.

Twenty-six terrorists who were shot dead by the military belonged to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and crossed into Turkey from their bases in northern Iraq to attack Turkish military posts.

This mountainous region of Turkey is often the scene of clashes between security forces and the PKK, who escalate their attacks in the summer months. Turkish warplanes generally bomb PKK hideouts in retaliation for attacks on troops.