The bombardments on the outlawed PKK rebels came in response to their bloody attack in southeast Turkey which killed nine members of the Turkish security forces.

Wednesday's bombing was the first time in more than a year that the Turkish military has carried out air strikes on PKK bases in northern Iraq.

Thursday's operation targeted a PKK command post on Mount Qandil, near the border with Iran, pro-Kurdish Firatnews said.

According to the IHA press agency, 16 F-16 fighter jets took off at 19H00 GMT from bases in Turkey and headed to northern Iraq.

News channels NTV and CNN-Turk also reported the second aerial attack in Iraq against the PKK.