Istanbul, May14, SPA -- Turkish soldiers have killed nineKurdish rebels in a military operation in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast, authorities said Saturday. The rebels _ seven men and two women _ were killed lateFriday in Tunceli province, some 800 kilometers (480 miles)east of the capital Ankara, local officials said. Automatic weapons, plastic explosives, grenades, and arocket-propelled grenade launcher were seized in theoperation, authorities said. The CNN-Turk news channel said some 10,000 Turkishsoldiers, backed by helicopters, were taking part in amassive military operation against the autonomy-seekingrebels.--SPA1143 Local Time 0843 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/262154