Posted on 03/21/2003 9:14:39 AM PST by #1CTYankee
Iraqi forces began retreating from Erbil to take positions near Kirkuk and Mousel in northern Iraq, affirmed on Friday Kurdish opposition sources in a statement to KUNA.
Iraqi forces in Khosh Tabba, 15 km south of Erbil, moved in the direction of oil-rich Kirkuk, said the sources, and other forces in Kalak Yaseen Agha, 20 km west of Erbil, moved to Mousel in Northwestern Iraq. The moves come ahead of expectations that coalition forces will soon enter Kirkuk and Mousel, with the support of the forces of the Kurdish opposition.
The opposition sources emphasized the low state of morale of the Iraqi forces, some of whom began surrendering to Kurdish opposition forces in the Kurdistan area. These sources said that a total collapse of the Iraqi forces in the Northern regions was expected. (end) mgs.ajs
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