Half an hour later.
Faruk returned to the military command and signed a series of troop movent orders under the na of "responding to border tensions."
The Third Infantry Brigade stationed in the suburbs of Elbil was redirected towards the Turkey border for "routine exercises"; half of the personnel in charge of security at the governnt building were temporarily pulled to participate in "anti-terror ergency training" to address potential internal stability issues caused by warfare.
Ultimately, even so key officers in Masoud's Private Guard received notices for "ergency training courses."
These movents seed reasonable and procedural, with most docunted in paper files.
But put together, they paint a clear picture—the core security forces of Masoud are being systematically weakened.
Kadir's intelligence departnt was even busier.
They intercepted encrypted communications between Masoud's office and Baghdad, monitored phone calls of key committee mbers, and even infiltrated Saeed's advisor's email through technical ans.
All information indicates that Masoud is seriously considering Song Heping's terms and plans to present a "reconciliation roadmap" at tomorrow's committee eting.
"The core content of the roadmap is—"
Kadir reported to Barzani in the safe house.
"First, in principle, agreeing to Samir's integration plan, but requiring the 'Liberation Forces' to be reduced to eight thousand personnel, instead of the initially requested twelve thousand. Second, agreeing to the Abu You Brigade rejoining the Kurd Ard system but Abu You himself can only serve as a Military Committee advisor without voting rights, and his forces must be restructured and redeployed."
Barzani sneered: "Masoud thinks this is a concession? That Eastern man won't accept it."
"Indeed." Kadir pulled up another intelligence report, "According to our informant in Baghdad, Saeed's advisor previously held a secret eting with Song Heping at Deputy Speaker Yusuf's ho. Song Heping's stance was very clear, refusing his conditions, and the flas of Kirkuk would spread to Elbil. I think this is a blatant threat."
"And Masoud is still thinking about negotiation?" Barzani shook his head, "He really has aged."
"But the president has an advantage." Kadir cautiously said, "The Aricans. Major General Duke spoke to Masoud for forty minutes this morning, promising the United States would 'guarantee any agreent reached' and 'ensure the agreent is implented.'
Barzani's face turned grim.
The Aricans are the biggest variable.
If Washington insists on supporting Masoud's route, the difficulty of the coup will increase tenfold.
"How much do the Aricans know?" he asked.
"Uncertain." Kadir honestly admitted, "We cannot penetrate the core circle of the US Embassy. But Colonel Anderson, Duke's deputy, went to Masoud's office this afternoon and stayed for an hour and a half. The conversation content is unknown, but judging by Anderson's expression when he left, the atmosphere wasn't bad."
Barzani paced around the room.
Dusk had fallen outside, and the lights of Elbil gradually lit up.
This city, where he has lived for more than twenty years, now appeared both familiar and strange.
"Continue surveillance." He finally said, "Focus on two places: the US Embassy and Masoud's private residence. I want to know his every eting, every call, even every visitor."
"Yes."
After Kadir left, Rashid arrived.
This Special Forces commander brought a more concrete plan of action.
"Masoud's office agreed to inspect the Kirkuk frontline with you tomorrow morning at eight o'clock; it was proposed by him, stating he wants to 'see the situation firsthand.' I think it's just his attempt to give a speech there to stop our counterattack."
Rashid spread out a map on the table.
"The convoy will depart from the governnt building, take Highway One, expected to reach the front command by two o'clock in the afternoon. The journey is one hundred and fifty kiloters, passing through three checkpoints, all under our control."
He marked the route on the map with a red pen: "The ideal location to act is here. Twenty kiloters away from Kirkuk, in a hilly area. The road is narrow; there are high grounds on both sides, perfect for an ambush. We can dispatch a Special Forces squad in advance, disguised as Abu You Brigade's reconnaissance unit, letting them hide in the high ground. When the president's convoy passes, they will fire, and we will 'counterattack' amidst confusion..."
He did not finish speaking, but his aning was clear.
Barzani stared at the red dot on the map, silent for a long ti.
Kill Masoud!
This thought had turned over a lot in his head, but when it actually ca to execution, the heavy sense of guilt was still suffocating.
Masoud was his uncle, his father's close friend, an elder who watched him grow up.
After the 1991 uprising failed, it was Masoud who protected their family, preventing Sadam's secret police from capturing them.
In 2003, it was Masoud who defied the opposition to promote him, then just thirty, to the position of main regint commander.
But politics has no family ties, and power struggles have no gratitude.
"Is the ambush team reliable?"
Barzani asked, his voice slightly hoarse.
"Absolutely reliable," Rashid assured, "I transferred a small squad from Sinjar, consisting of twelve n all excellent retired veterans forming the secret operations team mbers. I have promised them fifty thousand US Dollars each and new identities, to live in Europe."
"Will others find out they are impersonating Abu You Brigade soldiers?" Barzani was still a bit uneasy.
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