BEIJING, Feb. 25 -- Turkish troops have pushed on their offensive against Kurdish PKK guerrillas in northern Iraq, three days after crossing the border.

The Iraqi government has warned Turkey over civilian attacks.

Backed up by warplanes, Turkish troops went after the PKK in the remote mountainous area in northern Iraq on Saturday. They say they killed 35 rebels.

According to the Turkish General Staff, this brings the total PKK death toll since major offensive began on Thursday to 79.

But PKK guerrillas claim they shot down a Turkish helicopter, and are threatening more reprisal attacks.

Battles between the two sides have threatened local residents in the largely autonomous northern Kurdistan region.

Hameed, Iraqi Kurd, said, "The attack of Turkey on our areas was from last Thursday. They attacked us with warplanes and long range artillery. They've damaged about five bridges."

Local leadership has warned if civilians or populated areas are attacked, Turkey's incursion will be met with "massive resistance".

Baghdad has pushed for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. It also told Ankara the military operation is not the solution to stop rebel attacks on its soil.

Turkey says it's forced to carry out the cross-border offensive as Iraqi authorities have failed to stop PKK members from using northern Iraq as a base to attack Turkey.

(Source: CCTV.com)