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Dozens Dead in Turkish Ground Raid

Posted Feb 23, 08 6:39 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – Turkish forces pursued Kurdish militants in northern Iraq for a third day today, with the Turkish military reporting least 24 militants and five Turkish soldiers killed since they sent troops across the border to attack separatist strongholds Thursday night. At least 20 other Kurds died in the air assault that has accompanied the ground raid, the AP quoted the Turkish military as saying.

Estimates of the number of troops involved vary from several hundred to 10,000. The incursion—unusual because the rugged mountains of the border region are still blanketed in snow—is believed to be the largest since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. The US, which was warned of the operation in advance, has urged Turkey to exercise restraint. Iraq has condemned it.

Sources Associated Press, BBC

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Turkish soldiers patrol to secure an operation path in Senoba, Sirnak, at the border with Iraq, Turkey, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, The Turkish army launched a ground operation Thursday night against Kurdish...   (Associated Press)
A Turkish soldier returns from a patrol to secure an operation path in Senoba, Sirnak, at the border with Iraq, Turkey, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, The Turkish army launched a ground operation Thursday night...   (Associated Press)
Turkish soldiers patrol to secure a main road in Senoba, Sirnak, at the border with Iraq, Turkey, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, The Turkish army launched a ground operation Thursday night against Kurdish rebels...   (Associated Press)
Map locates Turkish incursion into Iraq; includes Kurdish area on Iraq-Turkey border; 1c x 3 3/4 inches; 46.5 mm x 95.3 mm   (Associated Press)
A Turkish Army helicopter flies over a mountanious area in Sirnak on February 22, 2008. The Turkish army's ground incursion against separatist Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq is limited in scope, Turkish...   (Getty Images)
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United Nations  • Turkey  • Kurdistan Workers' Party  • Northern Iraq  • Kurdish rebels  • Turkish military  • Kurdish incursions



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