Turkish soldiers clash with PKK in northern Iraq-TV 

TUNCELI, Turkey, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Turkish security forces have clashed with Kurdish
separatists in northern Iraq, but it was not immediately clear how many casualties either side
suffered, a Kurdish television channel said on Monday.

Turkish forces regularly pursue Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters across the border
into the breakaway region of northern Iraq, outside of Baghdad's control since the end of the
1991 Gulf War. Two Kurdish factions now administer the region, patrolled by U.S.
warplanes based in southern Turkey.

"Turkish soldiers have launched an intense operation in northern Iraq that involves a group
of at least 400 soldiers and a group of PKK fighters. The operation continues," Europe-based
Medya television channel said, quoting a PKK statement.

Medya said the fighting broke out on Saturday across the border near the Turkish province
of Sirnak, site of clashes between security forces and the PKK that killed one soldier last
week.

Several Turkish soldiers were wounded by landmines during the clashes, Medya said, and a
number of guerrillas were also hurt. The channel did not say how many were wounded.

The PKK launched an armed campaign in 1984 for self-rule in Turkey's mainly Kurdish
southeast, and more than 30,000 people have died in the conflict. But fighting has been
reduced to sporadic clashes since the 1999 capture of rebel commander Abdullah Ocalan,
now on death row for treason.

Ocalan, who has appealed his death sentence to the European Court of Human Rights, has
ordered his followers to withdraw from Turkey and instead pursue cultural rights for
Turkey's 12 million Kurds through political avenues.

Ankara sees Ocalan's change of heart as a ruse to escape the noose and has said it will not
negotiate with the PKK until it surrenders or is "neutralised."
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