Turkey strikes PKK hideouts in Iraq

ANKARA, Turkey, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Turkish fighter jets targeted militant hideouts belonging to the PKK in northern Iraq Wednesday for the second consecutive day, military officials reported.

The Turkish General Staff said it bombed several positions in the Qandil Mountains belonging to the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. All military aircraft returned, though there were no reports of damage to PKK strongholds, the Turkish daily newspaper Hurriyet reported.

The PKK had declared a cease-fire during celebrations for the Eid al-Adha holiday from Dec. 8-11 in hopes of entering into talks with Ankara.

The United States and several other nations officially recognize the PKK as a terrorist organization. U.S. intelligence officials have shared information on PKK activity in northern Iraq with the Turkish military.