Barzani Meets PUK Delegation, Agreement on Electricity Issue

July 10, 2002

Iraq has ordered forces loyal to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to attack Kurdish fighters as part of a strategy to stop cooperation with the United States, Kurdish sources reported.

During the first week of July, Islamic forces loyal to Saddam and linked to al-Qaida tried to sever a major road in Kurdistan controlled by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, led by Jalal Talabani.

Iraq's military is said to have continued its buildup near the Kurdish autonomous zone close to the northern border with Turkey and Iran.

Kurdish sources said the attempt by the pro-Saddam forces led to two days of heavy fighting. More than 15 people were reported killed in the fighting, including a pro-Saddam commander.

The sources said the fighting was led by Ansar Al Islam, a coalition that includes the al-Qaida satellite Jund Islam. Ansar attempted to capture three strategic points along the Halabja-Suleimeniya highway in an attempt to cut off supplies to the PKU. The sources said one of those killed in the fighting was Mullah Abu Bakr Huwlir, regarded as the head of the Al Tawhid insurgency group, a wing of Jund Islam.

Kurdish sources said Iraq has brought troops and tanks west of the Iraqi city of Irbil. The military presence is also said to have been reinforced near Mosul.

Over the last few weeks, the sources said, Iraq has concentrated tanks, heavy artillery and combat infantry brigades around the Kurdish areas. The sources said the military preparations suggest that the deployment is meant for the long term.

Iraq also has deployed troops around Kurdish area villages in what the sources termed an effort to pressure inhabitants to halt cooperation with the United States. The U.S. military has refurbished three abandoned Iraqi air bases near the Turkish border for use in any offensive against the Saddam Hussein regime.

Iraq's military also has sent additional units of the elite Republican Guard to the area between Mosul and Dahouk, the sources said. They said Iraq has increased use of anti-aircraft batteries near Irbil. Some of the anti-aircraft shells were said to have landed near Kurdish residential areas

 

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