Turkish warplanes strike PKK targets in northern Iraq

Turkish warplanes conducted an air operation on Sunday targeting the positions of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq, local media reported.

F-16 and F-4 2020 warplanes destroyed shelters, ammunition stores and weapon pits belonging to the PKK in the regions of Qandil, Metina, Zap and Gara in northern Iraq early Sunday, according to local NTV news broadcaster.

The warplanes returned to their bases in Turkey after hitting the PKK targets, said the report.

Meanwhile, two soldiers of the Turkish security forces were killed on Sunday in an explosion in the Nusaybin town of the southeastern province of Mardin, where operations by the Turkish troops are being carried out against the PKK militants, local Daily News reported.

A hand-made explosive planted by the PKK militants in a house in the Firat neighborhood of Nusaybin exploded while security forces were conducting searches inside.

Since a two-year cease-fire between the government and the PKK disintegrated last July, Turkish security forces have launched a major campaign against the PKK in southeast Turkey, leaving over 400 government soldiers and over 3,700 PKK members dead.

The PKK, waging a separatist war against Turkey since 1984, is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

Source: XINHUA