Turkey launches ground incursion against Kurdish rebels in Iraq

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One of the previous incursions. Turkish soldiers in Yuksekova, near Iraq border. Photo:EFE

Turkish troops have launched a ground incursion across the border into Iraq in pursuit of Kurdish rebels, the military said Friday.

The ground operation started after Turkish warplanes and artillery bombed suspected rebel targets on Thursday, the military said on its Web site.

“After the successful bombing, a cross-border ground incursion backed by the Air Force started at 1900 (1700 GMT)” on Thursday, it said. “The Turkish Armed Forces, which values Iraq's territorial integrity and its stability, will return as soon as planned goals are achieved,” the statement said. “The executed operation will prevent the region from being a permanent and safe base for the terrorists and will contribute to Iraq's stability and internal peace.”

Private NTV television said 10,000 troops were taking part in the cross-border offensive.