The United States condemned in the strongest possible terms the recent attacks by the PKK in Turkey’s Hakkari province.

“I join President Obama in offering our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed and injured in this tragedy,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.

“We will continue our strong cooperation with Turkey as we work to combat violent extremism in all its forms and safeguard the security of peace-loving people everywhere,” she said.

Kurdish guerrillas killed 25 Turkish soldiers in attacks on military posts in southeastern Turkey early on October 19, the biggest single death toll for Turkish security forces in years.

At least 18 soldiers were wounded.

Following the incident, Turkey launched an air and ground offensive into Iraq.