[WilderBill]

When or if the Kurds will get the call to move south?

I know they have plenty of reason to want Saddam and the Baath party removed.

They have close to 100,000 armed militia.

What they don't have is armor, arty and air support.
Given the state of Iraq's army right now, I think a few A 10s used to support them would be enough to open a second front in the North.

Anyone else thought about this?

[Blackhawk]

I'd be happy with them just securing the north where they and their historic roots are.

Remember that Iraq is an artifical consolidation of 4 inimical tribal areas by the British in about 1920. If the Kurds go south to Tikrit, they're liable to go on a vengence frenzy. A lot of Saddam's arsenal is liable to be there, and I don't think we need or want anybody else messing with what's there.... :what:

[WilderBill]

I don't think I want them messing with any WMD either, but it seems like they would use this chance for a little payback.
Kirkuc (sp) is just south of their protected zone, but is a traditional center of their culture. Most Kurds were killed or chased out of there, but I suspect they might just want it back.

[CZ-75]

They have enough problems with the Turks.

And so will we unless we draw a line in the sand and man it with troops to keep the Turks from "occupying" the area for the next 20 years.

I think I know why they didn't want 60K US troops to deploy from their country.

[Sergeant Bob]

I think I know why they didn't want 60K US troops to deploy from their country.
Bingo! CZ-75, that's exactly what I thought of when they denied us permission to stage our troops from there. They don't want our troops in their way.