Eight Turkish troops killed in Kurdish ambush: TV

ANKARA: Kurdish rebels killed eight Turkish soldiers on Wednesday in an ambush in the southeast of the country, according to television reports.

The attack took place in the Cukurca region of Hakkari province, close to the border with Iraq, CNN-Turk and NTV reported, adding that the toll could rise as several other troops were seriously wounded. Local sources, however, said seven soldiers were killed, adding that two mine explosions in two different spots caused the incident. They said an operation was launched against rebels immediately after the attack, adding that many ambulances were sent to the scene to treat the injured.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier said Turkey's "patience is running out" and signaled tougher measures against rebels after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, without elaborating.

The conflict with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey and much of the international community, has claimed more than 45,000 lives since it began in 1984.