ANKARA, Oct 8, 2008 (AFP) - Turkey's parliament Wednesday voted to extend the government's mandate to order strikes against Kurdish rebels holed up in northern Iraq.

Of the 529 lawmakers present in the 550-seat chamber, 511 backed the motion giving the government another year-long mandate for cross-border operations against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Eighteen lawmakers voted against the motion.

Under the current mandate that expires on October 17, the Turkish army has carried out several air strikes in northern Iraq as well as a week-long ground incursion in February.