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Turkish troops 'cross into Iraq' Turkish troops 'cross into Iraq'
(about 1 hour later)
About 300 Turkish troops have crossed into northern Iraq, officials in Iraq have said.About 300 Turkish troops have crossed into northern Iraq, officials in Iraq have said.
The lightly-armed soldiers entered Iraq overnight and moved up to three kilometres (1.9 miles) inside, an Iraqi Kurdish spokesman said.The lightly-armed soldiers entered Iraq overnight and moved up to three kilometres (1.9 miles) inside, an Iraqi Kurdish spokesman said.
So far Ankara has not confirmed the reports.So far Ankara has not confirmed the reports.
It is believed to be the first Turkish deployment of troops inside Iraq since the Cabinet approved the measure last month, in a bid to hunt Kurdish rebels. It is believed to be the first major Turkish deployment of troops in Iraq since the Cabinet backed the move last month, in a bid to hunt Kurdish rebels.
The Turkish army blames rebels from the Kurdistan's Workers' Party (PKK) of using bases inside Iraq to launch attacks on Turkey.The Turkish army blames rebels from the Kurdistan's Workers' Party (PKK) of using bases inside Iraq to launch attacks on Turkey.
The deployment came just two days after Turkey sent up to 50 planes to attack PKK bases inside northern Iraq, in what was seen as an escalation of weeks of cross-border tensions.
Click to view a detailed map of the border regionEnlarge Map
A spokesman for the Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga security forces told the BBC that the Turkish troops entered Iraq in an area called Seeda Kan - in the triangle between Iraq, Iran and TurkeyA spokesman for the Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga security forces told the BBC that the Turkish troops entered Iraq in an area called Seeda Kan - in the triangle between Iraq, Iran and Turkey
He said it was a mountainous area with very difficult terrain.He said it was a mountainous area with very difficult terrain.
Iraqi forces also reported hearing small arms fire from the area.Iraqi forces also reported hearing small arms fire from the area.
A senior Iraqi military source told Reuters that the operation appeared to be limited and was unlikely to expand.
The Iraqi Kurdish regional authorities condemned the incursion.
"Turkey wants to transfer the problem onto the territory of Iraqi Kurdistan," said Fouad Hussein, a senior official in the office of Kurdish regional President Mahmoud Barzani said.
Weekend air raidsWeekend air raids
The troops move came after Turkish warplanes bombed suspected PKK bases in northern Iraq over the weekend.The troops move came after Turkish warplanes bombed suspected PKK bases in northern Iraq over the weekend.
href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/middle_east_enl_1192702901/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/middle_east_enl_1192702901/html/1.stm', '1192702969', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=416,height=268,left=312,top=100'); return false;">Click to view a detailed map of the border region href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/middle_east_enl_1192702901/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/middle_east_enl_1192702901/html/1.stm', '1192702969', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=416,height=268,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >Enlarge Map MOUNTING BORDER TENSION Oct - PKK ambushes Turkish military patrol, killing 12 troopsOct - Turkish MPs allow military operations in IraqNov - Turkish cabinet backs PKK pursuits in Iraq Nov-Dec - Turkish army shells PKK targets in IraqDec - Turkish jets for the first time bomb PKK targets in Iraq
Iraqi officials have said bombs hit 10 villages, killing one woman, while the PKK has reported seven deaths.Iraqi officials have said bombs hit 10 villages, killing one woman, while the PKK has reported seven deaths.
In October, Turkey's parliament voted to allow the military to launch operations into Iraq to combat the PKK, which had stepped up attacks in Turkey. Turkey's Cabinet approved the measure last month.In October, Turkey's parliament voted to allow the military to launch operations into Iraq to combat the PKK, which had stepped up attacks in Turkey. Turkey's Cabinet approved the measure last month.
Ankara has massed up to 100,000 troops near the mountainous border with northern Iraq, backed by tanks, artillery and warplanes.Ankara has massed up to 100,000 troops near the mountainous border with northern Iraq, backed by tanks, artillery and warplanes.
But Iraq and the US have urged Turkey not to carry out its threat.But Iraq and the US have urged Turkey not to carry out its threat.
As many as 3,000 PKK members are believed to be based inside northern Iraq. Turkey has accused the local Kurdish authorities of supporting them.As many as 3,000 PKK members are believed to be based inside northern Iraq. Turkey has accused the local Kurdish authorities of supporting them.