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Turkish troops killed in clashes Turkish troops killed in clashes
(20 minutes later)
Kurdish rebels have killed 15 Turkish soldiers in fighting in the country's south-east, the military says. Kurdish rebels have killed 15 Turkish soldiers near Semdinli in the country's south-east, the military says.
The soldiers died in clashes with fighters said to be from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), based over the border in northern Iraq. The soldiers died during an attack by fighters said to be from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), based over the border in northern Iraq.
Local media said 23 rebels were also killed, although the military would not immediately confirm that figure. Generals said 23 rebels were also killed as troops fought back in some of the most deadly clashes in months.
Turkey blames the PKK for a series of bomb attacks on its cities, and often targets rebels with air strikes.Turkey blames the PKK for a series of bomb attacks on its cities, and often targets rebels with air strikes.
More than 40,000 people are thought to have been killed since 1984, when the PKK launched its campaign for a Kurdish homeland in south-eastern Turkey.More than 40,000 people are thought to have been killed since 1984, when the PKK launched its campaign for a Kurdish homeland in south-eastern Turkey.
Turkey has launched a number of military incursions across the border into northern Iraq since the start of 2008.
Generals accuse the PKK of using the region as a sanctuary from where to plan and carry out deadly attacks against Turkish troops in the south and eastern regions of Turkey.