"The objectives set at the start of the operation have been achieved and our forces... returned to their home bases as of Friday morning," a statement from the chief of staff said.

The separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) "was shown that northern Iraq is not a safe region for them," it said.

At least 240 PKK militants were killed in the course of the incursion which began late on February 21, the statement said, putting army losses at 27 men.

The United States put pressure on Turkey Thursday to pull out quickly from Iraq, but the army said the withdrawal decision was made "under no external or internal influence."

It said some forces had already moved out before Friday "in line with the original planning."

Turkey will continue to "closely watch" PKK activities in northern Iraq and "will not allow threats to Turkey from this region," the statement said.

"The struggle against terrorism will be pursued with determination at home and abroad," it said.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist group by Ankara and much of the international community, has waged an armed separatist campaign in Kurdish-majority southeast Turkey since 1984.