Military strikes rebel Kurds in Iraq

Turkish warplanes bombed Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq on Saturday in the third confirmed cross-border offensive by Turkish forces in less than a week, the military said.

The U.S. Embassy in the Turkish capital, Ankara, said it was informed before the assault took place, but gave no further information. The U.S. and Iraq have urged Turkey to avoid a major operation in the area, fearing it could destabilize what has been the calmest region in Iraq.

The bombing lasted nearly half an hour on Saturday afternoon, and was followed by shelling from within Turkey, the military said in a statement. Security forces in northern Iraq said the bombs fell about 75 miles northwest of Dahuk. No casualties were reported.