The attacks, the first in more than a year on suspected terrorist bases in Iraq, were launched after PKK assaults in Turkey killed more than 40 security force personnel over the previous month.

The Turkish General Staff said in a statement Monday more than 100 PKK terrorists were also wounded in the onslaught launched on August 17, basing its figures on "various sources."

The figures could not be confirmed. The PKK has reported three of its fighters have been killed in the attacks.

Turkish warplanes also launched 21 air strikes between Aug 25-28 in the Zap and Gara areas of northern Iraq, where the PKK has bases from which it launches attacks on southeast Turkey. Artillery struck 38 targets over the same four-day period.

"The terrorist group's activities in northern Iraq and domestically will continue to be monitored closely and the air and land operations will continue decisively," the Turkish military said.

Iraq says Turkey still has 1,300 military in Iraqi territory at small observation posts set up in the 1990s with the permission of Baghdad.

Turkey and Iran often shell inside Iraqi territory to hit bases run by the PKK, or its Iranian offshoot the PJAK. The PKK has fought for Kurdish self-rule for more than 27 years in a conflict that has killed 40,000 people.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.