Turkey’s military says about 700 Kurdish rebels killed in 2008

Turkey’s military says troops killed 696 Kurdish rebels in clashes in 2008.

Military spokesman Brigadier General Metin Gurak says another 237 rebels were captured, while 177 surrendered last year.

Gurak said Friday 171 security personnel – including soldiers, police and government-paid village guards – were also killed fighting rebels.

There was no immediate comment from the rebel group, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which has been fighting for autonomy in southeast Turkey since 1984. The group however, has denied the military’s death toll in the past.

Turkey last year launched several air force attacks and one major ground operation against rebel bases in northern Iraq.

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