Turkey Launches Operation against Kurdish Rebel Hideouts

Turkish security forces have launched an operation against Kurdish rebel hideouts and shelters in southeastern Anatolia, the military said on Tuesday.

Five teams were sent to the Mazidagi district in Mardin province after the local governor gave his consent, the army said in a statement posted on its website. 

"The operation is continuing," it added.

The military action comes after jailed Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan on Saturday called for Kurds to hold a congress aimed at ending their decades-old armed struggle against the Turkish state that has claimed more than 40,000 lives.

The congress would be expected to deal with the contentious issues of the complete withdrawal from Turkey of outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) fighters and disarmament.

Turkey's government welcomed the message, with Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc describing the statement as "positive in every way."

The PKK, blacklisted as a terrorist organization by Ankara and its Western allies, has largely observed a ceasefire since 2013 but attempts to find a deal have stalled over the issue of the withdrawal of its fighters and weaponry from Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday no further steps could be taken unless the PKK laid down arms.

"Peace is not possible under the shadow of arms," he said.