The attacks were also a response to the arrest of hundreds of Kurdish politicians in urban Turkey, Firatnews quoted the PKK as saying Wednesday.

"Our revolutionary operation... prevented the attempt of the Turkish army and state at a cross border operation" into Iraq, the PKK said.

The PKK launched the attacks after "friends were killed in air strikes primarily in Khowakirk and... a political genocide operation against Kurdish people was initiated," it said.

Kurdish rebels killed at least 24 soldiers Wednesday in simultaneous attacks in Hakkari near the Iraqi border, marking one of the deadliest days for the army in the 27-year battle against the separatists.

Turkey hit back with new cross-border air strikes on rebel bases and sent troops into neighbouring Iraq.

The attacks on the Turkish troops occurred in eight locations in Cukurca and Yuksekova in the early hours of Wednesday, local security sources said.