Najmadin Shukr Rauf
BornJuly 1, 1957
Chamchamall, Axjelēr, Iraq
DiedJanuary 24, 1985(1985-01-24) (aged 27)
Kirkuk Governorate, Iraq

Najmadin Shukr Rauf Zanganeh or "Mama Risha" (Kurdish: مامه‌ ڕیشه‌, lit. 'Bearded Uncle', July 1, 1957 – January 25, 1985), was a member of the Peshmerga loyal to the PUK.[1][2][3]

Life

He was born in the village of Talaban near Kirkuk into a poor Kurdish family from the town of Chamchamal. As a teenager, his village was raided by Iraqi forces. Angered by what he witnessed during the raid, he would go on to join the PUK, quickly gaining a reputation as a fearless fighter.[1][3] Later, as commander of the Garmiyan battalion, he was celebrated for his military prowess due to how he would organise ambushes and raids on Iraqi military columns.[3]

According to some sources, he chose the nickname "Mama Risha" because he swore that he would never shave his beard until Kurdistan was fully free from the Ba'ath Party's control.[1][2][3] He was also nicknamed "The Iron Man" and "Kirkuk's Lion" by his fellow Peshmerga due to his conduct during battles with Iraqi forces in the Kirkuk region.[1][3]

In a 2018 interview with his brother, Shorof, and Najmadin's widow, Nishtiman, they spoke about their memories with Najmadin. Nishtiman said of him that he had "loved swimming, games of all types and physical exercise." When asked of his other interests, she replied with a smile "He was totally focussed on defeating Saddam, of defending his brothers and sisters, and how he could gain independence and freedom for his country. one of his greatest battles. 2800 vs 11 peshmerges. including him. even with the iraqi army out numbering him. he won the battle and scored victory. defeating the ba"thist in the battle. "[3]

Death

Shorof, during the 2018 interview, explained how Najmadin had died in an ambush following a skirmish with Iraqi soldiers near Laylan, Kirkuk Governorate. As he was returning from the skirmish, "A hired-jash...invited my brother into his house." Unsuspecting, and believing the friendship offered by his fellow countryman was sincere, he entered the house and was shot with a machine gun.[1][2][3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Les Kurdes rendent hommage à Mama Risha". Kurdistan au féminin (in French). 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  2. 1 2 3 Serinci, Deniz Berxwedan. "Fjendens frygt - Mama Risha". Jiyan.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Valentine, Simon Ross. "Kurds remember Mama Risha and his Peshmerga legacy". www.rudaw.net. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
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