Iranians bomb PKK strongholds

ERBIL, Iraq, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Iranian forces bombed several strongholds of the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party in northern Iraq Monday following a weekend attack by Turkish war planes.

The media division of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, PUKmedia, reported Iranian military strikes in the region near Mount Qandil in northern Iraq.

Reports said Iranian artillery struck villages near Qal'at Dizah in the northeastern Iraqi province of Sulaymaniyah along the Iranian border, though there was no immediate report of damages or casualties.

The accounts come as Turkish military forces launched a weekend raid on PKK strongholds in the northern Iraqi Avashin-Basyan region where the borders of Iraq, Iran and Turkey meet.

Iran and Turkey have launched a series of raids against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq. The U.S. military provides intelligence to Turkish officials regarding PKK activities in Iraq.

The Turkish government authorized cross-border raids in late 2007.