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| Turk Iraq raids 'killed hundreds' | Turk Iraq raids 'killed hundreds' |
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| Turkish forces have killed hundreds of Kurdish rebels and struck more than 200 targets in northern Iraq in the past 10 days, the Turkish military has said. | Turkish forces have killed hundreds of Kurdish rebels and struck more than 200 targets in northern Iraq in the past 10 days, the Turkish military has said. |
| Up to 175 rebels were killed on 16 December alone, the military statement added. More cross-border air raids were reported on Tuesday. | Up to 175 rebels were killed on 16 December alone, the military statement added. More cross-border air raids were reported on Tuesday. |
| There has been no word on casualty figures from the Iraqi authorities. | There has been no word on casualty figures from the Iraqi authorities. |
| Turkey blames rebels from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) for launching attacks on Turkey from bases in Iraq. | Turkey blames rebels from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) for launching attacks on Turkey from bases in Iraq. |
| MOUNTING BORDER TENSION 7 Oct PKK rebels kill 13 Turkish troops near Iraqi border17 Oct - Turkish MPs allow military operations in Iraq21 Oct - 12 Turkish troops die in PKK ambush near Iraqi border 30 Nov - Turkish cabinet backs PKK pursuits in Iraq 13 Nov - Turkey shells PKK targets in Iraq, Baghdad says1 Dec - Turkish army targets rebels in Iraq, inflicting "heavy losses"16 Dec - Turkish jets bomb PKK targets in Iraq for the first time. Incursion by ground forces follows22 Dec - More air raids on rebel targets Pin-point tactic in Iraq | |
| Ankara approved cross-border raids on PKK bases in October, saying the Iraqi government and its US backers were not doing enough to halt attacks. | Ankara approved cross-border raids on PKK bases in October, saying the Iraqi government and its US backers were not doing enough to halt attacks. |
| Turkey launched its first cross-border raid on 16 December, which was followed by an incursion by ground forces. | Turkey launched its first cross-border raid on 16 December, which was followed by an incursion by ground forces. |
| Another offensive was launched on 22 December, with warplanes bombing suspected rebel targets. | |
| The military said the casualty figures did not include rebels hit in hideouts and caves, adding that "many" wounded fighters were taken to hospitals in several cities in northern Iraq. | |
| Targets hit include three command centres, two communications centres, two training camps, nine logistical areas, 182 living quarters and 14 arsenals, the statement said. | |
| On Monday, the president of the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, Massoud Barzani, condemned Turkey's raids and warned Ankara to stop the strikes. | On Monday, the president of the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, Massoud Barzani, condemned Turkey's raids and warned Ankara to stop the strikes. |
| The US, meanwhile, backs Turkish operations against the PKK and has agreed to share intelligence with Ankara. | |
| The PKK - which is designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US, and the EU - is thought to have about 3,000 rebels based in Iraq. | The PKK - which is designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US, and the EU - is thought to have about 3,000 rebels based in Iraq. |
| For decades, it has been fighting for a Kurdish homeland separate from Turkey. | For decades, it has been fighting for a Kurdish homeland separate from Turkey. |