Azerbaijan , Baku, Sept. 14 / Trend /
Turkey has launched preparations for a ground operation in northern Iraq, Anadolu reported. The number of troops and military equipment was increased on the border to this end, the report reads.
The Turkish military helicopters carry out reconnaissance flights over the alleged objects of the Kurdish separatists.
More armored vehicles were delivered to the border and border points are being established there.
Adviser to the Turkish Foreign Minister Firuddin Sinirlioglu completed a visit to Iraq on Sept. 12. He discussed with the Iraqi officials a fight against terrorism in the region, particularly, ways to eliminate the terrorist PKK in the region.
Air strikes were conducted after the militants' terror attack in southeastern Turkey on Aug. 17, in which nine Turkish servicemen were killed.
These were Turkey's first attacks on northern Iraq in over a year.
The conflict between Turkey and the PKK has lasted for over 25 years, claiming over 40,000 lives. The PKK is recognized as a terrorist organization by both the UN and the EU.
PKK militants previously threatened Turkish authorities with intensified armed conflict if concrete steps were not taken to address the long-term Kurdish problem.