Article

2007-05-29 Iraq

Iraqi Kurdish region to take charge of own security

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Posted by Steve White 2007-05-29 00:00|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top

#1 I strongly suspect that the Kurds have only been given a fraction of the equipment, organization and training given to the Iraqi army. Success and peace may in the long run leave them weaker than Iraq, which has been tempered in violence.

Were I an adviser to the Kurd leadership, I would strongly suggest settling differences with Turkey, forming a deep relationship with Israel, being armed to the teeth, and finally to be ready to quickly occupy and defend Iranian Kurdistan, if the opportunity presents itself.

Posted by Anonymoose 2007-05-29 10:26|| 2007-05-29 10:26|| Front Page Top

#2 The Kurdish zone is the most economically, socially, and politically stable section of Iraq; so much so, that Iraqi Sunnis and Shiites have been migrating north to look for jobs. The Peshmerga was not disarmed after the defeat of Saddam, and they had received a good deal of training from Special Forces in the lead up to the 3 week war against Saddam.
Because of the money flow in Kurdistan, the Kurds have been able to buy literal tons of heavy weapons from the arms black market in Iraq : about the only items they have problems getting are spares for the tanks and APCs that they have taken over. However, the Peshmerga that have been integrated into the Iraqi Army have taken equipment south to Baghdad for the surge, and that equipment is being rebuilt by the Coalition so that the IA units will have mechanized infantry with armor support. So now the Peshmerga have the equivalent of 1 armored brigade and 1 mechanized brigade - both of which are to be returned to Kurdistan at the end of the surge.
Also, from what I have read, the Peshmerga have been buying large quantities of anti-tank weapondry from the black market, and have RPGs down to the fire team level, along with dedicated anti-units having been trained.

Posted by Shieldwolf 2007-05-29 15:15|| 2007-05-29 15:15|| Front Page Top

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