Turkish troops conduct exercises near Iraqi border | International | Reuters

Turkish troops conduct exercises near Iraqi border | International | Reuters: "CIZRE, Turkey (Reuters) - The rocky hills of Sirnak province echoed with the boom of tank shells fired by Turkish troops on Thursday in military exercises near the Iraqi border.

Reports of a cross-border operation against Kurdish rebels based in northern Iraq fuelled tensions in the area on Wednesday although Turkey denied it had launched a major incursion.

The army has since announced a ban on all land and air travel between Iraq and three Turkish provinces, including Sirnak, as part of its operations against rebels of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

A Turkish newspaper said the 'temporary security area', which will be locked down between June 9 and September 9, would also be used for air force training exercises." Read complete post here.