They may have conducted operations against Kurdish forces in the north.

Kurdish forces also have had their arms confiscated by coalition troops in numerous incidents.

Kurdish forces moved into the area abandoned by the Iraqis today but did not press forward.

There were Kurdish forces trying to break through from the mountains to relieve them.

It was also just weeks before the militants opened an offensive against the secular Kurdish forces.

But the advance succeeded with so few American and Kurdish forces that civil authority almost immediately broke down.

It is unclear why American and Kurdish forces were slow to enter the city.

In the late 1990s, these extremist groups suffered major defeats by Kurdish forces.

Many were sent back across the border and were later captured by Kurdish forces.

The 30,000-member Kurdish forces would be no match.