ANKARA, Oct 24: Turkish warplanes bombed Kurdish rebel targets along the Iraqi border on Wednesday as government and military leaders weighed their next move against rebel bases in northern Iraq.

Fighter jets bombed and destroyed several Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) mountain positions in Sirnak, Hakkari, Siirt and Van provinces bordering Iraq and Iran, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.

Helicopter gunships also joined the raids that followed the killing of 12 soldiers in a PKK ambush near the Iraqi border on Sunday. The PKK said it captured eight soldiers in the clashes.

Another operation against the PKK is under way in the eastern province of Tunceli, Anatolia said, adding that suspected PKK militants detonated two remote-control bombs as soldiers combed the countryside for landmines.

The military said 34 PKK militants were killed in operations that followed Sunday’s attack.

The National Security Council met amid new international appeals for restraint and signs that Baghdad might hand some rebels over to prevent a Turkish military strike.

Officials also raised the possibility of economic sanctions against Iraq.—AFP