Clinton condemns PKK attacks

"The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent attacks by the PKK in Turkey's Hakkari province. I join President [Barack] Obama in offering our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed and injured in this tragedy," Clinton said in a written statement.

Terrorists from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) attacked simultaneously several targets in Hakkari’s Çukurca and Yüksekova districts, killing 24 troops and wounding 18 others.

After the attacks, Turkish security forces launched a cross border operation into northern Iraq with ground forces, warplanes and helicopter gunships.

"We will continue our strong cooperation with Turkey as we work to combat violent extremism in all its forms and safeguard the security of peace-loving people everywhere," Clinton said.

Separately, State Department deputy spokesperson said the US would "definitely try to boost counter terrorism cooperation to track down the PKK."

"We condemn the attacks in Hakkari in the strongest possible terms. There is a disturbing increase recently in violence comparable to 1990s," Mark Toner told a daily press briefing on Wednesday.

Toner said the PKK was a joint enemy of the US, Turkey as well as Iraq.