- Mama Risha
Mama Risha (
1957 - January 25,1985 ), was a prominent member of the armed Kurdish fighters, also known as (peshmarga ), in northernIraq during the Kurdish prolonged warfare with theIraqi Government armed forces in their struggle for self-ruled northern Iraq.Born in village of Talaban near
Kirkuk into a poor family, he enjoys near mythical status in Kurdish society. His real name was Najmadin Shukur Rauf , nicknamed Mama Risha which in Kurdish means the (Bearded Uncle). According to some Kurdish sources he chose thatnickname because he swore that he would never shave his beard untilKurdistan was totally free fromBa'ath Party 's control. He was also nicknamed the (Iron Man) for his legendary furious and well organized battles andambushes against the Iraqi forces nearKirkuk area.In mid 1970s, he joined the
peshmarga forces ofPatriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK ) led byJalal Talabani . He is considered by mostKurds as a role model and a legendary fighter. Mama Risha was killed in January 25, 1985 in an ambush organized by Tahsin Shawais who was the leader of a group of Kurdish fighters affiliated withSaddam Hussein 's regime (Jash).[http://www.geocities.com/awarakany_kurdistan/index3.html]
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