Introduction and Early Dreams

My name is Nasrat Haji Taha. I’m from the village of Sahar Roy-Barwary Bala, but I was born in Gavarki. I attended primary school at Malta School. As a child, I dreamed of becoming both a Peshmerga and a teacher, educating Kurdish children in reading and writing.

Refusing to Join the Iraqi Army and Joining the Revolution

After finishing my studies, the war between Iran and Iraq began. Initially, the Iraqi government promised us employment, so we completed the paperwork. However, on the first day of our employment, they tried to draft us into the Iraqi army. I refused to join and instead became part of the revolution in February 1982, at the age of 22. My life as a Peshmerga began then and continued until Anfal campaign in 1988.

A Family Tradition of Resistance

I was already informed about the revolution by listening to Dengi Kurdistan radio, which strengthened our sense of nationalism. This sense of Kurdish identity ran deep in my family. My father, may he rest in peace, fought in Kurdistan even before I was born when the Iraqi government attacked. My brother was also a Peshmerga in the Aylul Revolution of 1974. Growing up with these beliefs, I felt proud to become a Peshmerga.

Facing Challenges as a New Peshmerga

When I joined the Peshmerga, the situation was challenging. Most areas were still under Iraqi regime control, and there were traitors (Jash) complicating movement between places. I went through different roles, starting as a Peshmerga and then as a jail guard. Since I was educated and could read and write, I helped other Peshmergas by reading reports and explaining the PDK programs.

Establishing a School in Shahidi Xanoki

Later, I joined the Shahidi Xanoki organization within the PDK, where we decided to open a school in Gally Xanoki, an area with many Peshmerga families. We named it Shahidi Khanokay in 1983. It wasn’t an official government school, but it was the first school in the Gulan Revolution. We had to close it in May 1983 due to an agreement between the Iraqi and Turkish governments that allowed the Turkish army to enter Kurdistan. Since we were near the border, we had to evacuate.

Teaching Under Difficult Conditions

The school was in an open area among the trees, where we set up a blackboard and the children sat on the ground. We also celebrated Newroz in 1983 to lift the spirits of people who were suffering. Though none of us had any theater experience, we created performances to bring some joy to everyone.

Pursuing Education Abroad with Mr. President’s Masoud Barzani Support

When Mr. President (Masoud Barzani) came to the First Branch, we informed him of our desire to continue our studies. He agreed and said those interested could apply through the First Branch. I did so, completed the paperwork, and went to Russia in October 1989 to begin my studies. After a year of learning Russian, I chose two majors: history and journalism, and I was accepted into journalism. I completed my bachelor’s in journalism and then pursued a master’s degree at the Governmental University in Moscow.

The Meaning of Being a Peshmerga

To me, a Peshmerga is someone who sacrifices their life for Kurdistan, offering their blood for its freedom and protecting its land. It’s sad that the Peshmerga forces are not unified into a single army; in my opinion, a country with a divided army cannot be truly free. Our land is sacred, and when we lose it, we lose everything—our dignity, wealth, and identity.

Service in the Kurdistan Democratic Youth Union

One of my roles as a PDK member was within the Kurdistan Democratic Youth Union. During the Gulan Revolution, I served as a Branch Executive Member of this Union. The revolution placed great importance on organizations like the Youth Union, which played a vital role in educating both the Peshmergas and the public. It supported the revolution through intellectual and media efforts, balancing the combat with cultural and educational activities.

A Final Farewell to a Friend

When I received news of my acceptance to study abroad, I traveled to the Kany Balav area to inform my family and request financial support for my studies. On the way, I met a Peshmerga friend heading in the opposite direction. He mentioned they were about to undertake a military operation. When I returned, I found that he had become a martyr in that operation. His final words to me, “When you leave, don’t forget us; we will always think of you,” stayed with me deeply. His name was Yousif, and I had the honor of burying him. This memory has impacted me profoundly.

Written by: Soma Fuad