Who are the Kurds?

Factual Questions
1

With the War in Iraq (version 2.0), I am reading again about the possibility of attack on the Kurds. I know that they are a displaced people who inhabit parts of Northern Iraq and Southern Turkey, but I’m not clear on why they’re not just considered Turks or Iraqis. Are they generally Moslems? Why does everybody seem to be out to get them?

I’d prefer this remain apolitical (eg, objective), if possible.

2

Here’s some good info:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/daily/feb99/kurdprofile.htm

I put [kurds] into Google and got a ton of stuff.

(And there’s an obvious joke response, but this is not the right time.)

3

Thanks, nice link (Mjollinor, is it?)

Any idea of whether the Turks ever executed Ocalan, or is he on a permanent stay of execution?

4

Ocalan’s death sentence was commuted a while back.

(Yeah, that’s my old name.)