Eight Turkish soldiers were killed Wednesday in a Turkish ambush in the southeast of the country.

Eight Turkish soldiers were killed Wednesday in a Turkish ambush in the southeast of the country.

"They (rebels) are testing our patience... We'll retaliate in kind," Defense Minister Ismet  Yilmaz was quoted as saying by the Turkish media.

Television reports said the attack took place in the Cukurca region of Hakkari province, close to the border with Iraq.
 The toll could rise as several other troops were seriously wounded, CNN-Turk and NTV reported.

However, local sources said seven soldiers were killed, adding that two mine explosions in two different spots caused the incident.
Sources added that an operation was launched against rebels immediately after the attack, adding that many ambulances were sent to the scene to treat the injured.

Earlier, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey's "patience is running out" and signaled tougher measures against rebels after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, without elaborating.

The conflict with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, has been considered a terrorist organization by Turkey and much of the international community.