NICOSIA. Sept 8 A Kurtllsh rebel group claimed It was un der fierce attack by Saddam Hussein s forces and a rival Kurdish faction Sunday The group asked the United States to intervene urgently, reports AP

There was no immediate confirmation of the Patriotic Union or-Kurdistan s claim, sent by facsimile to The Assoc! ated Press in Nicosia from its office in a suburb of Washing ton. D C

The PUK s claims about fighting in the last week have often been shown to be accurate. It was not possible to verify in formation Sunday tn the urged area where telecommunica lions are minimal

The Patriotic Union of Kur distan was ousted a week ago from Irbil a major Kurdish city in northern Iraq A rival Kur dish faction, tne Kurdistan Democratic Party or KDP took over control of Irbil with the

help oi Iraq's army

The PUK statement said that at 8 am (0400 GMT) Sunday. Iraqi and KDP forces, "supported by tanks and heavy ar tillery attacked Kurdish post tions at the Junction of Degala, southeast ol Irbil Fierce fight Ing is reported in the area

The statement said Iraqi and KDP forces were trying to break through PUK Unes to capture Kuysanjaq. a city of roughly 80,000 residents 50 kilometres (30 miles) southeast of Irbil.

We -call on the US and its coalition partners to intervene urgently to halt the Iraqi aggression and end this onslaught against the Kurdish people." the PUK statement said

The United States launched cruise missiles at Iraq last Tuesday and Wednesday after Saddam defied the Western allies decree that northern Iraq was a safe haven" for Kurds

AFP adds from Cairo. The

Arab League Saturday said ft was against at Turkish troop movements In northern Iraq and wanted to be informed of Ankara s Intention of setting up a buffer zone on the Iraqi side of their border

"The Turkish movements north of the borders are shock Ing and raise questions We want the Turkish government to clarify to us the reality of the situation. League Secretary General Esmat Abdel Meguid said

We have not been officially Informed of anythiruf and are disquieted by news from press agencies on Turkish move ments." there, he told journalist before leaving for Yemen

He said he had strongly con demned Tuesday the US missile attack on Iraq. launched in retaliation for Baghdad's military Incursion Into the northern Iraq. Kurdish "safe haven."