By taking the mountains, which overlook the city, they are now within striking distance of oil-rich Mosul, said Kurdistan Democratic Partyspokesman Hoshyar Zebari.

"During joint operations, the US and Kurdish special forces seized the Maqlub mountains which are the most strategic mountains on the road to Mosul, some 15 to 18 kilometres (10 to 12 miles) north," he said.

The move on the government-controlled city took place in the middle of the night and no casualties were reported on the US-Kurdish side, he added.

"Little fighting took place and there wasn't so much resistance from the Iraqis," Zebari said. "The resistance was overcome easily. We were surprised at the lack of resistance."

He added: "Our information was that area was heavily defended," and said the ease with which they took the mountains underlined the "demoralised situation of Iraqi army and troops".

Speaking in Salaheddin, where the KDP has its headquarters, Zebari called the move "one of the most important developments in the northern front".

Asked if it heralded a concerted push by US and Kurdish forces on Mosul, he said:

"I believe so."

However, he insisted: "The Kurdish forces will not move unilaterally or independently to Mosul and Kirkuk. This has taken place in full coordination with US forces (...) this is part of our strategy, working together. Every other step will be decided jointly."

The Iraqis appear to have fled in a hurry, as, according to Zebari, they "have left behind a lot of equipment", mostly anti-aircraft equipment and amunitions.

Meanwhile, there has been a strengthening of links between the various groups opposed to President Saddam Hussein's regime around the country.

"We have seen an increased number of contacts inside Mosul, Baghdad and Kirkuk," he said, as "people try to establish contacts. They want an exit, let's say a strategic road for themselves."

An advance on Mosul could open the way for them to leave, he said.

"We have seen those contacts increase not only from the north but from people as far as the west of Iraq to very powerful Arab Sunni tribes, and from Baghdad itself," Zebari added.

Mosul, with its strategic importance due to its airport and an Iraqi missile-launching base, has been the target of American bombs since the start of the war in Iraq.

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