This incursion is a violation of sovereignty. If you want context, see this as Indian Army chasing into Azad Kashmir in pursuit of terrorists/freedom fighters. Or Israeli Forces barging into Lebanon occupied territories. Or U.S. forces running into FATA from bases in Afghanistan. - t

Turkish Troops, Tanks Invade Northern Iraq

Middle East Online.

Turkish troops entered northern Iraq to hunt Kurdish separatist rebels after fighter jets struck at their bases, the Turkish army said Friday.

Some 10,000 troops penetrated 10 kilometers (six miles) into the autonomous Kurdish northern Iraq, the NTV news channel said.

The operation started late Thursday when tanks were reported heading for the frontier and came as the region is in the thick of winter with sub-zero temperatures.

The army did not state the number of troops involved but said the incursion followed eight hours of air and artillery strikes on Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) camps across the border on Thursday.

"Following this successful offensive, a cross-border ground operation backed by the Air Force was launched at 7:00 pm (1700 GMT)," said an army statement posted on the general staff Internet site.