Turkish warplanes bomb Kurdish rebel bases

Turkish warplanes have bombed bases of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Turkey and northern Iraq, the army said on Tuesday.

"Shelters, caves and arms depots identified as being used by terrorists from the separatist terrorist organisation were destroyed with air bombardments," the military said.

Monday's air strikes targeted PKK bases in the Kurdish-dominated southeastern province of Hakkari near the Iraqi border, as well as several regions in northern Iraq including their main stronghold on Qandil mountain.

The latest army operation comes just after the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) swept back to power in Sunday's election.

The government has waged a new war against the PKK and Islamic State militants since July, shattering a fragile 2013 truce with the Kurdish rebels.

The PKK conflict resumed after a bombing on pro-Kurdish activists in the border town of Suruc in July that killed 34 people and was blamed on the Islamic State group.

Kurdish rebels launched an armed campaign for greater autonomy in southeastern Turkey in 1984 and the conflict has since claimed 45,000 lives.

Source: AFP