Report: Number of Kurdish rebels killed in southeastern Turkey in past 3 days reaches 54

ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey's state-run news agency says security forces have killed some 20 Kurdish rebels in southeastern Turkey, raising the number of militants killed in three days of operations to 54.

The government imposed curfews in the mainly Kurdish towns of Cizre and Silopi as troops and police battle militants linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK who have moved their fight for autonomy to some towns and city neighborhoods.

The government says militants have placed explosive devices, dug trenches and set up barricades in the two towns. At least eight security force members have been wounded.

Hundreds of people have died since July in renewed fighting between the PKK and Turkish troops.