Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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April 26, 2008

Turkey Bombs Kurdish Targets in Iraq 
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1C0793F:A6F02AD83191E160DB97B47CC6B4267298CBE7246176B735& 
Military officials confirm launching attacks on suspected Kurdish rebel bases inside northern Iraq 
Turkish military officials have confirmed launching attacks on suspected Kurdish rebel bases inside northern Iraq.

The military says its warplanes and artillery targeted Kurdish positions along the Turkish border with Iraq in an operation that began Friday evening and lasted through Saturday.

The attacks are the latest in a series of military strikes Ankara has launched this year against the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. Turkey accuses the PKK of using strongholds in northern Iraq to launch attacks. 

The PKK has been fighting for autonomy in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast for nearly 25 years. The violence has killed more than 30,000 people. 

Turkey, the United States and other nations have designated the PKK a terrorist group.

The Turkish military announced Friday that at least two Turkish soldiers died in clashes with the PKK in the Turkish province of Sirnak. The southeastern province, near the Iraqi border, is predominately Kurdish.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.



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