At least 18 people are killed and more than 45 wounded, including senior Kurdish commanders.

The voice, hurried and agitated, came loudly over the speakerphone near where a Kurdish commander sat.

A Kurdish commander complied, and the first refugee families arrived tonight at the tent city near this occupied town.

And Iraqi artillery shells that killed two senior Kurdish commanders last week came within 50 yards of hitting Americans.

Kurdish commanders sent their fighters into position for the night.

The local Kurdish commander said his goal was to enter the town of Khazir, five miles up the road, by sundown.

Two Kurdish commanders who attended the meeting said the agenda included discussions on coordinating the rival militaries so they could work closely with American forces.

In more fighting on 21 January, a Kurdish commander and 20 rebels were killed, along with four civilians.

Iraqi forces have been building up men and materiel along the 280-mile-long front line, Kurdish commanders said.

Kurdish commanders say they would, at best, be able to stave off the Iraqis for a day or two.