Song Heping's analysis is as calm as a scalpel, cutting through the surface to directly point at the core.
He sees not only the ambush and counter-ambush before him but also the inevitable political and military tsunami that will sweep across the entire region afterward.
"We've completed our mission, but the real trouble is just beginning. Let's return to Hulmatu and discuss it further."
He finally issues an order: "Imdiately notify the US Army Command in Baghdad. We need an ergency dical evacuation channel. Also... in my na, issue the highest level of alert to all ard forces in our territory— the storm has arrived, prepare for widespread chaos."
5:47 AM, northwest suburb of Kirkuk.
First chanized Brigade Station.
The piercing sound of alarms shreds the pre-dawn silence repeatedly.
Barzani's armored rcedes G500 sped through the camp gate without slowing.
The guards recognized the vehicle, but what shocked them more was the arm furiously waving from the passenger window—
It was the hand of Captain Casim, Barzani's Guard Captain, whose half-face was dried with bloodstains.
"Open the gate! The General is back! It's an ergency!"
The barrier was not fully raised before the vehicle brutishly crashed into the obstacle, tires crushing scattered debris, rushing straight toward the brigade's command building.
The car barely stopped when Barzani already pushed the door open and jumped out.
His appearance now made everyone's heart sink.
The senior officer's uniform was tattered, covered in mud and dark brown bloodstains; his face bore the black marks of gunpowder burns and sweat-laden trenches; his hair was disheveled, but his eyes shone terrifyingly bright, like a beast ready to pounce.
"Gather! Imdiately gather all battalion-level officers and above!"
He shouted at the rushing brigade chief of staff: "Five minutes from now, the brigade ops eting room! Go now!"
Colonel Khalid froze.
He looked at the bullet-riddled vehicle behind the General, at the few remaining guards.
"General, what happened..."
"Chairman Masoud is dead."
Barzani interrupted him, his voice low yet detonating like a bomb beside Khalid's ears.
The Colonel's face instantly drained of color: "What?!"
"Abu You did it!"
Barzani stated, word by word: "They colluded with external forces and ambushed the Chairman's convoy in the northern hills. The Chairman… was shot multiple tis and was martyred on the spot."
He paused, letting the "facts" solidify in the air, then continued: "I and my Guards fought desperately to break through... but more than a dozen of the most loyal warriors were left there."
Colonel Khalid's breathing grew heavy.
He had been promoted by Barzani, but he had the sa respect for Chairman Masoud.
The news was too shocking, making it montarily impossible for his brain to process.
"General, such accusations need evidence..."
After all, Khalid knew that recently the autonomy committee seed to lean towards negotiating with the Abu You Brigade to resolve the oil field issue.
Abu You suddenly turning and ambushing Masoud, especially within the Kurdish Control Zone...
This matter must find evidence, the best way is to present it to the Aricans, obtain their support, and then attack Abu You's territory.
"Evidence?"
Barzani fiercely grabbed Khalid's shoulder, his fingers pressing painfully close to the other's bones.
"My guard nearly annihilated is evidence! The bullet holes in my body are evidence! As for Abu You, that traitor, he's surely preparing to launch an attack on us at this mont, taking advantage of the brief chaos after my uncle's death, to swallow us all up! Khalid, we don't have ti to hesitate!"
He released his grip, turning to face the officers and soldiers already flowing out of various barracks.
More and more people gathered around, seeing the General's tragic state, hearing brief words of discussion, uneasy emotions spread among the crowd like a plague.
Barzani took a deep breath.
He knew that the next ten minutes would decide his fate.
He climbed atop a BTR-80 armored personnel carrier parked in front of the command building, standing on the roof.
The loudspeaker was hurriedly connected, the cold tal microphone gripped in his trembling hand.
"Soldiers! Officers! Brothers of the Kurdish Freedom Fighters!"
His voice amplified through the loudspeaker, resonating over the open drill ground.
Everyone gathered around, thousands of eyes focused on the figure standing on top of the armored vehicle.
"Just an hour ago, a despicable, heinous assassination took place!"
Barzani's voice began to rise.
"Our leader, Chairman of the Kurdistan Autonomous Region, Masoud— my uncle, my commander, the father of us all, was ambushed while visiting here!"
A restrained gasp sounded from the crowd.
"The ambushers were not the Turkish people, nor the Iliko Governnt Army, nor the extremist organization!"
Barzani paused, his gaze sweeping over every face below, allowing suspense to brew.
"It was Abu You and his so-called 'Abu You Brigade'!"
Greater commotion ensued. Doubts, shock, angry whispers surged like a tide.
"Impossible!" soone in the crowd shouted, "I heard two days ago Abu You was negotiating with the autonomy committee in Baghdad."
"Negotiation?"
Barzani shrilly interrupted, his voice full of hypocritical heartbreak: "Yes, the Chairman believed disputes could be resolved peacefully through negotiations, but Abu You never intended to. His ambition surpasses just a few oil fields in Kirkuk! He wants all of Elbil!"
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