May 3, 2002

An informed Kurdish source told the Kurdistan Observer that the Iraqi regime
deployed more of its military forces to the areas adjacent to the liberated areas of Southern Kurdistan including the governate of Kirkuk.

The source said that Iraq has sent 3 more artillery units that include 36 long range artillery guns, 6 infantry battalions, and 100 tanks and armored vehicles, 4 surface to surface missile units, and a large numbers of military tents.

Upon their arrival, the Iraqi forces declared the areas as a military zones and ordered all Kurdish inhabitants to leave the areas.

The Kurdistan Observer has also learned that the Iraqi authorities have moved a large amount of structural material to the town of Huwegah, west of Kirkuk City  aiming to construct governmental buildings and residential dwellings for the Arab families living in Kirkuk now.

Upon the completion of those buildings in Huwegah, the Iraqi regime is planing to move all governmental offices in Kirkuk to Huwegah town, which will be the new capital of the governate of Tamim.  In the ensuing period Iraq plans to expel all  remaining Kurds from Kirkuk unless the Kurds agree to change their nationality to Arabic.

In related news, 140 Arabic tribal  families close to city of Samera have registered to be resettled in Kirkuk following the Iraqi regime's announcement of rewarding Iraqi Arabs with US $12,000, residential land and building material for every family wishing to head for Kirkuk.