By Xinhua
Ankara : Turkish troops have launched a cross-border operation into northern Iraq in pursuit of the militants of the banned Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK), Turkish military said Friday.
The ground operation started after Turkish warplanes and artillery bombed suspected PKK targets on Thursday, the military said on its website.
After the bombing, the cross-border ground incursion backed by the Air Force started at 1900 p.m. (1700 GMT) on Thursday, it said.
Turkish National Security Council (MGK) said that cross-border operations against the PKK will continue as long as the Turkish Armed Forces see them necessary.
“The MGK reaffirmed its determination to maintain measures against the activities of the terrorist organization and its supporters aiming to harm public order, unity and solidarity, and peace and confidence,” said a statement released after the MGK meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara.
“Also the Council discussed measures taken by our security forces to preserve security and peace and order throughout the country,” the statement added.