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16:50 GMT
Turkish forces began a wide-scale operations against Kurdish rebels in southern and southeastern areas near the Iraqi borders
(With photos) ISTANBUL, Oct 18 (KUNA) -- Thousands of Turkish forces began a wide-scale operations against Kurdish rebels in southern and southeastern areas near the Iraqi borders, media reports said Thursday.
The operations were carried out after the parliament approved a government's bill to allow the army pursuit Kurdish Workers Party's (PKK) elements in the southeast of Turkey, according to CNN Turk website.
Meanwhile, retired army general Ibrahim Bazan told KUNA the military operation would start with artillery attack against PKK bases to be followed by wide-scale combing mission.
Bazan said the Turkish army was ready to carry out operations inside Iraq. Turkey, he said, "is careless to the foreign pressure when it comes to defending national security." Ankara blames the PKK, considered as a terrorist organization by the US and EU, for the killing of over 37,000 people since the party started its military campaign in 1984 to establish a state for the Kurds in southeast Turkey. (end) ta.bs KUNA 181950 Oct 07NNNN