Turkish security officials say at least 18 rebels have been killed in Ankara's latest operation against Kurdish separatists in the country's southeast.
Local security sources said on September 7 that thousands of ground troops, police forces, and village guards are participating in the operation.
It was launched late on September 5 in the mountainous area in the Sirnak province near the Iraqi border.
Media reports say the Turkish military is targeting strongholds of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) with fighter jets and helicopters.
The fighting occurred around Beytussebap town, where Kurdish rebel attacks earlier this week killed 10 police and soldiers.
The PKK, considered a terrorist group by Turkey and much of the international community, took up arms in Kurdish-majority southeastern Turkey in 1984, sparking a conflict that has claimed around 45,000 lives.
Local security sources said on September 7 that thousands of ground troops, police forces, and village guards are participating in the operation.
It was launched late on September 5 in the mountainous area in the Sirnak province near the Iraqi border.
Media reports say the Turkish military is targeting strongholds of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) with fighter jets and helicopters.
The fighting occurred around Beytussebap town, where Kurdish rebel attacks earlier this week killed 10 police and soldiers.
The PKK, considered a terrorist group by Turkey and much of the international community, took up arms in Kurdish-majority southeastern Turkey in 1984, sparking a conflict that has claimed around 45,000 lives.