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Turkish Sorties Into Iraq Kill 34 Kurdish Fighters

But army holds off, for now, on any large-scale invasion

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 24, 2007 2:16 PM CDT

(Newser) – Turkish incursions into northern Iraq have killed 34 Kurdish fighters over the past few days, and the Turks today targeted positions along the border with airstrikes, Reuters reports. Some 300 troops have crossed into Iraq by 6 miles, and planes have struck as far as 13 miles. So far, though, Turkey has held off on any large-scale invasion feared by the US and Iraq, the Guardian reports.

"Further 'hot pursuit' raids into northern Iraq can be expected, though none have taken place today," says a military official, adding that all troops are back on home turf. Turkey, which has NATO's second-largest army, has massed 100,000 troops near the Iraq border—and the PM said yesterday that the nation "cannot wait forever" to strike.

A pro-government Kurdish village guard offers his prayers as the other secures him in Yuksekova, in the Hakkari province, near the Turkish-Iraqi-Iranian border, southeastern Turkey, Wednesday, Oct. 24,... (Associated Press)

Azeri Turkish university students shout slogans as they march to condemn the recent attack by outlawed Kurdish rebels of the Kurdistan Workers' Party that killed 12 soldiers Sunday, in Ankara, Wednesday,... (Associated Press)

Turkish Defense Minister Mehmet Vecdi Gonu listens to comments during a round table meeting of NATO defense ministers in Noordwijk , the Netherlands, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007. The mounting tension on... (Associated Press)

Turkish soldiers take part in a military exercise near an army base in the town of Cizre, on the Turkish-Iraqi border, southeastern Turkey, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007. Turkish troops have shelled suspected... (Associated Press)

A Turkish soldier walks in front of an armored vehicle during patrol in the area near Turkey-Iraq border, in the province of Sirnak, Turkey, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007. The buildup of troops along the border... (Associated Press)

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Turkish Sorties Into Iraq Kill 34 Kurdish Fighters

But army holds off, for now, on any large-scale invasion

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