The clashes , shattering a ceasefire negotiated last year by Washington , had threatened a U.S.-led peace plan to unite the Kurdish region against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein .
<response> The clashes , shattering a ceasefire negotiated last year by <location>Washington</location> , had threatened a <misc>U.S.-led</misc> peace plan to unite the <misc>Kurdish</misc> region against <misc>Iraqi</misc> President <person>Saddam Hussein</person> . </response>