Report: Turkish jets hit PKK Kurdish rebel targets in 1st airstrikes since peace talks began

Backdropped by Kobani, in Syria, a Turkish forces armoured vehicle patrols the border road in Mursitpinar, on the outskirts of Suruc, on the Turkey-Syria border, where in Kobani fighting between Syrian Kurds and the militants of Islamic State group continued, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014. Kobani, also known as Ayn Arab, and its surrounding areas, has been under assault by extremists of the Islamic State group since mid-September and is being defended by Kurdish fighters. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) (The Associated Press)

Mourners chant slogans during the funeral of four female Kurdish fighters, killed in the fighting with the militants of the Islamic State group in Kobani, Syria, at a cemetery in Suruc, on the Turkey-Syria border, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014. Kobani, also known as Ayn Arab, and its surrounding areas, has been under assault by extremists of the Islamic State group since mid-September and is being defended by Kurdish fighters. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) (The Associated Press)

ANKARA, Turkey – A Turkish media report says Turkish warplanes have struck suspected Kurdish rebel positions in southeast Turkey, in the first major airstrikes against the rebel group since peace talks began two years ago to end a 30-year insurgency.

Hurriyet newspaper's website said Tuesday that the jets hit Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, targets in Hakkari province on Sunday. The airstrikes were launched in response to suspected PKK shelling of a military outpost there.

A military statement said Tuesday the armed forces had responded "in the strongest way" to shelling by the rebels, without saying whether airstrikes were launched.

The attack on the military post came amid accusations by Kurds that Turkey is standing idly while Syrian Kurds are being slaughtered across the border in the besieged town of Kobani.