Re: Kurdish question
I have heard that the Kurds have a standing army of over 50,000 and another 150,ooo in reserve. In spite of the fact that the Iraqis seem to be fighting well defending their own soil the size and strength of the Kurdish force would probably be sufficient to discourage an unmotivated Iraqi army.
The fact that Saddam felt compelled to use gas on the Kurds shows that they are not a push over.
No doubt the No Fly Zone, the destruction of the Iraq Air Force and world opinion also were factors.