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As Iraqi Forces Consolidate Control of North, Kurds Flee
(Wall Street Journal) Isabel Coles and Ali A. Nabhan - Thousands of Kurdish civilians fled their homes in northern Iraq on Wednesday, fearing harassment by government forces and Shiite militias. South of Kirkuk, the entire Kurdish population of Tuz Khurmato left the town as local Turkmen - many of whom belong to government-backed Shiite paramilitary groups - ransacked and torched their homes. "People are afraid," said Feraydoun Ahmed, 50, who fled with his family from Kirkuk. "We are scared they (Iraqi forces) will harass our families." On the main road out of the city, Iraqi forces blocked the way with armored vehicles, holding back hundreds of cars.