Word: erbil
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...seemed so different for a brief spring of hope. Taking advantage of Saddam's humiliation in Kuwait, the Kurds liberated the major northern cities of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk. They blessed Haji Bush for initiating their salvation, granting the American President the title earned by Muslims who have made the pilgrimage to Mecca. They were certain that the U.S. and its allies -- who had repeatedly urged Iraqis to throw off Saddam's yoke -- would come to their aid. But their joy lasted for only one cruel moment. By the end of March, Saddam's loyal forces had crushed the rebellion...
Just what was happening in the north, home to most of Iraq's 3 million Kurds, was murkier. Kurdish rebels claimed to have taken Erbil, a provincial capital, as well as four other towns. They added that an entire army division had surrendered to them. Their assertions could not be confirmed, but intelligence photos did indicate ongoing fighting in the area...
...stop, and Iran issued a cease-fire order. One day later, however, the truce threatened to falter as charges were exchanged. Baghdad contended that Iran was still shelling Iraqi forces. Tehran charged that Baghdad was still using poison gas to dislodge Kurdish separatists from a mountain stronghold in the Erbil province of northeastern Iraq. Iran claimed that the two-week-old offensive had already injured 63 civilians in three villages and forced the evacuation of two other towns...
...strikes against at least 16 different targets in Iraq. A principal one was Baghdad, the capital, as well as the military garrisons in the sprawling city of 2.8 million people along the banks of the Tigris River. Iranian planes also attacked the northern oil cities of Mosul, Kirkuk and Erbil. Iraqi gunners sent up barrages of antiaircraft fire and ground-to-air missiles that lit up the skies and brought down a reported 67 Iranian planes...