Turkey confirms air strikes on Kurd rebels in Iraq

Ankara: Turkish warplanes launched bombing raids on Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq overnight, the Turkish General Staff said on Friday.

"Turkish Air Force planes struck targets belonging to the terror group in a comprehensive and effective air operation," the General Staff said in a statement on its website.

The military said all its planes had returned safely to base after the attack which was launched after rebel targets were identified in the Qandil mountain region.

A rebel spokesman earlier said that Turkish warplanes struck targets in northern Iraq overnight but there were no reports of any casualties.

He said the raids lasted for three hours, targeting rebel bases.