Turk buildup continues along Iraq border

ANKARA, Turkey, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- A dozen Turkish soldiers were killed and eight were possibly captured in a clash with Kurdish rebels along the Iraqi-Turkey border.

A major convoy of Turkish forces, including artillery, was reported heading for the border Monday as Ankara confirmed that eight of its soldiers were listed as missing following an ambush Sunday that left 12 others dead, Allalam Satellite Television reported.

The television station said a demonstration was staged Monday in Istanbul demanding the government retaliate and put an end to Kurdish guerrilla attacks along the border.

Government officials, however, were apparently not yet ready for a major push into Iraq. The New York Times said the military was continuing its buildup but high-ranking officials assured reporters that Turkey was pursuing a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.