By Aws al-Sharqy, IOL Iraq Correspondent

BAGHDAD, January 28 (IslamOnline) - Carrying banners reading "Kurdish clans are human shield to protect Iraq," hundreds of Kurds, living in the autonomous cities of Sulaymania, Arbil and Dahouk in northern Iraq, demonstrated Tuesday, January 28, before the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad to protest the looming U.S.-led war on Iraq.

The demonstrators denounced the imperialistic and Zionist threats to strike Iraq, seize control of its oil fields and plunder its wealth, calling on the international community to side with Iraq in its legitimate self-defense.

Chiefs of different Kurdish clans submitted a petition to the U.N., calling on U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to live up to the U.N. commitments to Iraq, which complied with relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, including resolution 1441 which allowed U.N. weapons inspectors back in Iraq to make sure that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction.

Speaking to IslamOnline's correspondent, chiefs of Kurdish clans said Kurds stand ready to confront the U.S. aggression backed by "Zionist powers."

"We oppose any U.S. (military) presence in northern Iraq and vehemently condemn the practices of agents, who made out of this region a fertile ground to Mossad and the CIA," said Hushair Selim Bash, a chief of one Kurdish clan.

"Known for their remarkable bravery and gallantry in fighting colonialism, Kurdish clans will do everything in their power to defend the soil of their country and will not allow the U.S. aggressors to desecrate their blessed land. Iraq will, no doubt, be a graveyard to the invaders," averred another.

Salah Mohammed Akrawi, a chief of a third clan, said Kurdish fighters are steadfast in their uphill struggle against the aggressors, since Allah Almighty has endowed them with strength and unshakable faith to act in unison alongside their Arab and Iraqi brothers against the barbaric aggression.

He asserted that Arab fighters would never ever be brought to their knees by an aggressor.

Ali Abdallah asked Arabs to recall the perennial heroism of Salahudin Al-Ayoubi who joined hands with his Arab brothers in standing up to the venomous Crusade, which targeted Palestine and its capital Al-Quds, which remain the capital of Muslims and Christians altogether.

Abdullah asserted that the U.S. wanted to wage another Crusade to occupy Iraq, stressing that the U.S. aggression was predestined to fail.

"What does the U.S. want from Iraq?" Sherif Rasoul wondered.

"Iraq abided by all resolutions and provided all facilities for the U.N. arms inspectors.