Turkish Cobra attack helicopters blasted suspected Kurdish rebel targets Tuesday near the southeastern border with Iraq in a second day of fighting in the area. The prime minister said an escalation of miltary action was unavoidable.
Three soldiers and six rebels have been killed in fighting, according to local news reports.
The United States, Iraq, and other countries have been pressing Turkey to refrain from such a campaign, which could derail one of the few stable areas in Iraq and leave the United States in an awkward position with key allies: NATO-member Turkey, the Iraqi government and the self-governing Iraqi Kurds in the north.
The Turkish assault on the mountainside positions in Sirnak province began early Monday with helicopter rocket attacks. The Firat news agency, which the Turkish government says is a mouthpiece of the Kurdish rebels, said more than 30 Cobras were involved.
Transport helicopters flew in commando teams and trucks later drove more troops to the area.
Three soldiers were killed in the first day of fighting, according to the private Dogan News Agency and Hurriyet newspaper. Six rebels were also killed, the private Cihan news agency reported.
It was not immediately possible to independently verify the casualty reports.[AP]
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