Turkish troops attack PKK rebels near Iraqi border

[Barrett808]

Source: Reuters

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Turkish forces, backed by helicopter gunships, launched fresh operations against Kurdish separatist rebels in southeastern Turkey on Thursday, military sources said.

They said the army also sent thousands of soldiers to reinforce troops in the Sirnak, Hakkari and Tunceli provinces near the Iraqi border, where guerrillas from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) have been attacking security forces and troops.

There were no reports of new cross-border raids after Turkish warplanes bombed PKK positions in northern Iraq on Wednesday.

Turkey has massed up to 100,000 troops, backed by warplanes, artillery and tanks, near its border with Iraq.

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