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Witnesses say Iraqi troops were in Kurd area over weekend
September 4, 1996
Web posted at: 8:10 a.m. EDT (1210 GMT)From Correspondent Christiane Amanpour
Irbil, Iraq (CNN) -- Witnesses have confirmed to CNN that Iraqi troops came to the aid of Kurdistan Democratic Party (PDK) troops last weekend in northern Iraq, providing ammunition, troops and tanks.
Some Iraqi troops were seen in the southern part of the city over the weekend but PDK officials claim they only remained in the area for two days.
There were no signs of Iraqi troops in the areas of the city where CNN's crew was able to travel on Wednesday. (224K AIFF or WAV sound)In the city center, it appeared the parliament building had taken the brunt of the fighting on Saturday. It looked like it had taken many direct hits in the front. (256K AIFF or WAV sound)
CNN was able to speak to a PDK official who said the PDK had not formed a political alliance with Saddam Hussein. The official says his group had simply called on Saddam's military support to fight off what they characterized as a rival Kurdish faction, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).
The official claimed the PUK was receiving support from Iranian troops which have crossed the border over the last month. The Iranian government denies that claim, as does the PUK.
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