  Turkey continues air assault on PKK bases August 19, 2011 - 12:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey has continued a heavy air and artillery assault with 16 warplanes on the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) targets in northern Iraq for the 2nd day after a declaration by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that he "lost patience with separatists fighting in southeastern Turkey." State-run broadcaster TRT said on its website Turkish warplanes had hit camps in Kandil, Northern Iraq, belonging to the PKK. It gave no further details. At least 12 warplanes took off from an air base in Diyarbakır, southeastern Turkey, on Thursday, August 18, around 1830 GMT, but it was not immediately clear where they were headed. Turkish military officials were not immediately available for comment on the warplanes' destination. Turkish broadcasters say 16 warplanes participated in aerial raids in northern Iraq. Earlier on Thursday, the Turkish General Staff said artillery hit 168 targets in the region overnight before warplanes pounded 60 positions in two waves. Camps housing the PKK's leaders were among those targeted, security sources said. "Our patience has finally run out. Those who do not distance themselves from terrorism will pay the price," Erdoğan said on the sidelines of a conference in Istanbul. His comments and subsequent major air operation indicate a return to a hardline stance in the 27-year-old fight against the PKK and an end to clandestine talks between the state and jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, Today’s Zaman reported.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months  The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan.Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem."U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says.Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |
