Iraq says Iran forces shelled Kurds in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Apr 30 (Reuters) Iraq's Defence Ministry said today that Iranian forces had shelled Kurdish rebel positions this month and crossed 5 km into Iraqi territory.

Iraqi Kurdish officials had said Iranian forces shelled Iranian Kurdish rebel positions inside northern Iraq on April 21 to repel an attack, wounding at least four civilians.

''Iranian forces bombed border areas in the Haj Umran area, the Iranian forces crossed 5 km over the border and bombed Lolan with more than 180 heavy artillery shells targeting the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK),'' a ministry statement said.

The statement was the first official Iraqi confirmation of the incident.

The breach by Iranian forces could fuel accusations of Iranian interference in Iraq by Sunni Arab politicians.

REUTERS CH PC1610