CAIRO, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The Arab League on Tuesday condemned the Turkish military operation in northern Iraq, saying it constitutes "unacceptable and deplorable" violation of Iraq's sovereignty and international law.
The military operations on Iraqi soil increased tension between Turkey and Iraq, said a statement by the pan-Arab body, calling on Ankara to stop such practices and respect the Iraqi sovereignty.
At least 26 members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have been killed during Turkey's new ground and air cross-border offensive into northern Iraq launched on Monday, according to Turkey's Defense Ministry.
Turkey regularly conducts cross-border operations on PKK bases in northern Iraq, despite Iraq's repeated condemnation of Turkey's violation of its sovereignty.
The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for more than 30 years. ■
