The Kurds said that the Turkish troops target their villages. Last Thursday Turkey initiated a ground incursion across the border, in northern Iraq, to catch Kurdish separatist rebels believed to be hiding in the mountains from which they orchestrate attacks in the south of Turkey.

The Kurdish forces, the Peshmerga, which in Kurdish means “those ready to face death,” said that they would initiate attacks against Turkish troops if they stay too long.

“We have lost our patience with the Turkish military's shelling of our area. We will confront them if they push further with their troops or try to occupy our area,” said Peshmerga fighter Rasheed Ghazi.

Voice of America reports that there have been no civilian casualties since the Turkish military began its incursion three days ago. However, Iraqi foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari stated that the Turkish troops have destroyed five bridges.

Until now seven Turkish soldiers and at least 79 Kurdish rebels have been killed in the military operation. The PKK claimed that a Turkish helicopter has been shot down, killing 20 Turkish soldiers.

During a visit to Australia, U. S. Defense Secretary of State Robert Gates advised Turkey to keep the operation “short and precise.” Gates also added that Turkish officials should  take economic and political measures to isolate the PKK.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the incursion pursues the protection of the Turkish population from attacks organized by the Kurds residing in Iraq.

Erdogan added that the Turkish forces would withdraw as soon as the PKK’s logistical and psychological support is destroyed. More than 40,000 people have been killed since 1984, when the PKK began fighting for political autonomy in Turkey.