June 7, 2002
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) is massing troops along the Iranian borders in what Kurdish sources predict to be a major fight to eradicate Kurdish Islamic militants.

The militants of Ansar al-Islam party hold position in inaccessible mountainous areas and villages close to the border with Iran and PUK's efforts for a peaceful solution seem to have come to nothing.

PUK shares control of northern Iraq with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which the sources said was sympathetic and supportive of the move.

The militants control the impoverished Horman region, 100 kilometers southeast of Sulaimaniya, PUK's administrative center.

The sources said the militants have imposed the Islamic Sharia or code on scores of villages under their control and are currently restricting freedom of other political parties in their areas.

Unconfirmed reports say that the militants coordinate with Usama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist group and receive military assistance from foreign powers in a bid to destabilize the Kurdish enclave in northern Iraq.

More than 100 people were killed in fighting late last year between the two sides.

In April, seven Kurds were killed during an assassination bid on the life of Barham Salih, head of PUK's government in the region.

Renewed fighting will have serious repercussions on security in the enclave. The sources said the militants has also digging in as part of preparations for a possible sweep by PUK.
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