Basra: The United States has denied it permitted the Turkish military to carry out deadly air strikes against Kurdish rebels based in northern Iraq.
Turkey bombed 10 Iraqi villages near the border on Sunday, killing one woman, Iraqi officials said. Kurdish rebels, however, said seven people were killed.
The Turkish military said US "intelligence" aided the operation involving up to 50 planes. The military said only "terrorist" targets were hit.
"But what is more important is that the United States last night opened northern Iraqi airspace to us. By doing that, the United States approved the operation," said Turkey's most senior general, Yasar Buyukanit.
The US embassy in Iraq said commanders had not approved the attacks, but had been informed before they took place.
The US has urged Turkey to step back from a major operation against the PKK in northern Iraq because it fears military action could destabilize the region.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, hailed the raids a "success" and said his government was determined to use all means to root out Turkish rebels in Iraq.
