Smoke hangs over the countryside in southeastern Turkey.<br/> <br />Here, at least 18 people were killed on Tuesday in fighting between Turkish soldiers and Kurdish militants.<br/> <br />According to security sources, eight Turkish soldiers were killed and 16 others were wounded in simultaneous attacks on three military outposts.<br/> <br />In subsequent clashes, sources said Turkish troops killed 10 militants loyal to the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK.<br/> <br />The fighters began the attacks with rocket launchers and rifles at about 5 a.m. local time.<br/> <br />They were believed to have crossed the border from northern Iraq.<br/> <br />The PKK, designated a 'terrorist' group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, launched its separatist insurgency in 1984.<br/> <br />More than 40,000 people have been killed in conflicts since then.<br/> <br />Travis Brecher, Reuters
