-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Turkish military bombed PKK rebel targets Saturday in northern Iraq in response to clashes that left at least 15 Turkish troops dead , the PKK and the military said Sunday . Members of Turkey 's honor guard carry flag-draped coffins of two soldiers killed in clashes with the PKK . The PKK , or Kurdistan Workers ' Party , said it sustained no casualties in the operation . The Turkish military said the air operation was conducted on the PKK 's `` hiding positions '' in the Avasin-Basyan area of northern Iraq near the border with Turkey . During the operation , steps were taken to avoid civilian casualties , the Turkish military said . Watch inside the PKK 's hidden camps Â '' The military said the operation was carried out Saturday . The PKK 's military wing said the military operation began after Friday 's clash and lasted for two days . At least 15 Turkish soldiers were killed and 20 wounded in the clashes , Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Saturday . Two others were missing , and the Turkish military said Sunday they were feared dead . The military said 23 PKK members were also killed in the attacks , launched from northern Iraq . In its statement on Sunday , however , the PKK said more than 60 Turkish troops were killed and at least 30 injured . Nine PKK members were killed , the organization said . Turkey 's state-run Anatolia news agency said the clashes occurred in Semdinli , a town in Turkey 's southeastern province of Hakkari . On Tuesday , the Turkish government is scheduled to vote on whether to extend the authority of the Turkish military to launch attacks on PKK positions in northern Iraq . Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh on Saturday condemned the clashes , calling them a `` terrorist act '' that `` creates a serious threat to the security of the border areas and the joint security of Iraq and Turkey . '' He called on the Turkish government to deal with this `` criminal act wisely and with self restraint . '' `` The Iraqi government expresses its support for the measures the Turkish government will take within Turkish territory to guarantee its -LSB- Turkey 's -RSB- security and stability , '' he said . Saturday night , Iraq 's Presidency Council , made up of President Jalal Talabani -- himself a Kurd -- and his two vice-presidents , condemned what it called `` a vicious attack against Turkish troops . '' `` What makes the attack more horrific is the fact that it happened during the days of the Eid al-Fitr holiday , where Muslims should be celebrating , rejoicing and befriending each other ... instead of fighting and bloodshed , '' the council said . It pledged to `` continue its joint efforts with the Turkish side to prevent the recurrence of such attacks and to put an end to the illegal presence of all foreign militants in Iraq . '' The central Iraqi government has labeled the PKK a terrorist organization , banning its activities and shutting its offices in the country two years ago . But the PKK continues to operate in the Qandil Mountains in northern Iraq bordering Turkey and Iran . The separatist faction has been fighting for self-rule in southeastern Turkey . In an interview held last month in the group 's mountain hideout , the PKK 's military commander , Bahoz Erdal , told CNN 's Arwa Damon and Yousif Bassil that the PKK is defending Kurdish rights and attacks only military targets . `` We are ready for a political solution , '' Erdal said , adding that the PKK would lay down its arms if Kurds were guaranteed equal rights within Turkey . But the Turkish government told CNN in response that it does not negotiate with `` terrorists . '' In February , Turkish military ground forces launched a weeklong offensive against the rebels in northern Iraq .