Turkish army says rebel death toll in Northern Iraq at 153

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey's military General Staff said on Monday the number of Kurdish PKK rebels killed during its ground and air offensive in northern Iraq had risen to 153.

In a statement posted on its Website, the General Staff said two of its troops died on Sunday night and 41 Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels had also been killed in the latest clashes. The military said heavy clashes were continuing. It was not possible to independently verify the figures.

(Reporting by Paul de Bendern)