( AP ) - The Turkish military said Saturday it fired on 50 to 60 Kurdish rebels inside Iraqi territory, inflicting "significant losses."
It did not say whether Turkish troops crossed into Iraq.
The military said on its Web site that the rebels were detected following intelligence work and that military operations in the region would continue if necessary.
The military statement came a day after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the government had authorized the military to launch a cross-border offensive against Kurdish rebels based in northern Iraq at any time.
"There was an intensified operation against the mentioned terrorists using fire support vehicles," the statement said. "The terrorist group suffered significant losses as a result of the operation," it added.
"If necessary, there will be other operations in the region using other means."
Erdogan's announcement Friday followed communication in recent weeks between the military and the government concerning the scope of a possible operation against the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.
A top general had said the military was awaiting a government directive on how to proceed against the group, which has been fighting the Turkish state since 1984.
Parliament voted Oct. 17 in favor of authorizing the government to order a cross-border operation against the PKK, which seeks autonomy for the Kurdish minority in southeastern Turkey.
Turkey massed tens of thousands of Turkish troops along the border with Iraq amid a series of attacks by Kurdish insurgents. But some military officials have said Turkey is more likely to stage airstrikes and raids by special forces instead of a large-scale occupation of Iraqi territory that could carry greater military and political risks.
The United States and Iraq have urged Turkey to avoid a major operation against PKK bases in northern Iraq, fearing such an operation would destabilize what has been the calmest region in the country. In a Nov. 5 meeting with Erdogan, President Bush promised to share intelligence with the Turkish government on the PKK.