I am unsure what to make of this story, although it was carried by Reuters, which is an otherwise legitimate news agency. This story claims that helicopters in Northern Iraq are dropping leaflets warning people to evacuate. The leaflets claim an invasion by Iran will commence in 48 hours.

I am not sure what to make of this. It would seem strange that Iran would give forewarning of an invasion in this way – since they would essentially be warning their enemies as well. And how would Iran gain access to Northern Iraqi airspace to drop leaflets?

On the other hand, who would have the resources (helicopters) to execute an operation like this? I would not be as concerned if the leaflets surfaced in the streets of Iraq from sources unknown. Propaganda such as this, during times of war, are common place. But, the fact that they were dropped from helicopters implies that it is the work of an organized military intelligence force/state.

There have been stories over the last several days claiming Iran has been shelling Northern Iraq as well. This is concerning.

Again – I am not sure what to make of this – and I do not care to speculate. But, I am not prepared to dismiss the coincidence in timing with the August 24th drill that is planned for Portland.

Are we 48 hours away from military action? I firmly believe that it would be irresponsible to spread unsubstantiated rumors – and hysteria. So I do want to carefully caveat this story. But, I also believe that stories like this cannot be ignored:

Leaflets Warn of Iran Invasion into Northern Iraq

Tue Aug 21, 2007 4:08PM IST

SULAIMANIYA, Iraq (Reuters) - Kurdish authorities in northeastern Iraq said on Tuesday leaflets have appeared warning villagers to evacuate ahead of an Iranian military offensive against Kurdish rebels.

Hundreds of villagers have fled their homes in Iraq's mountainous northeast while others hid in caves after what local authorities said was days of intermittent shelling by Iran across the border.

So far there has been no official comment from either Tehran or Baghdad about the shelling.

Cross-border skirmishes occasionally occur as Iraq's neighbours Turkey and Iran combat Kurdish separatist rebels operating from bases in Iraq's mountainous and remote north and northeast.

The government of Iraq's largely autonomous region of Kurdistan said it was investigating after villagers said they had seen the leaflets thrown from helicopters on Monday.

The words "The Islamic Republic of Iran" appeared across the top and bottom
of the leaflets

The leaflets said villagers had 48 hours to evacuate before the Iranian offensive began.