I was born on September 10, 1955, and I joined the Peshmerga in 1983 from the Shekh Zorab Organization, which was part of the PDK Peshmerga. Back then, cameras were a significant change for us. During the revolution, most people used their own cameras rather than professional ones. In 1985, I received a basic handheld camera from the political bureau. It had a battery life of only 20 minutes, and with the limited electricity in the countryside, charging it was a constant challenge. Before this, I had no experience with cameras. Growing up in the city, I was familiar with cinema and television, but I had never filmed anything myself. A friend encouraged me to start filming the war, despite my lack of experience.

 Most of the Peshmergas, nearly 80% of us, were around my age and had never seen war before. We were forced to fight due to the   oppression and bombings by warplanes on our villages, children,   and families. As I said, "When you go to war, you learn something   new." At first, the sound of gunfire frightened us, but over time, we   became accustomed to it. We had older Peshmergas with us who   weren't afraid at all, which helped us overcome our fears, even   when under fire.

 Our area was mostly PDK Peshmerga. In 1987, when the   Kurdistan  Front (Wujud) was formed, the PUK came to our area.   Prior to that, we had been allied with the Iraqi Communist Party.   We conducted many operations together, but the PDK was   stronger in our region. In the midst of war, personal relationships   with family members faded; anyone who fought alongside you   became like a brother. We didn’t consider personal benefit; our   shared goal was what mattered most.

 Mala Mustafa Barzani, may he rest in peace, once said, "We have   no friends but the mountains”. This was a reflection of our   isolation; Iran, Iraq, and the Arab were all against us but as   governments not as people. The mountain symbolized the   revolution and resistance. It was where we went to fight and resist.   Even today, I believe the revolution continues. The Kurds have   faced challenges, and we still have a long way to go, till we achieve   independence. The Gulan revolution was a military breakthrough,   but the enemy was stronger due to their resources the fact that they were an oil rich country. Three countries worked against the Kurdish cause, and internal conflicts among Kurds also had a significant impact.

I moved to the ‘Merdin’ camp later on, where I got married. We faced a severe shortage of weapons. Despite our bravery, without proper arms, our lives were constantly at risk. However, having a camera involved in the operations was encouraging. The thought that our struggles might be preserved on film, even if we didn’t know if anyone would ever see it, motivated us. Dr. Rozh, who supported us with cameras, played a significant role. He was highly educated and experienced, and his support was invaluable.

I believe even during the ISIS war, every Peshmerga station had to have a camera. The role of war cameramen is sacred because their work preserves the history of the conflict. Documentaries hold more value than films with actors because they capture real events. Looking back at our documentaries, I realize that without them, we wouldn’t have recognized each other, we’ve changed and grown older. No amount of money can replicate the value of these documentaries.

Disagreements and opposition are natural, but it's crucial to prevent repeating the past for future generations. Protecting our achievements is vital, and unity is key to a nation’s success. While opposition is expected, we will not accept the enemy taking away our rights. In the past, Arabic names were common among us because our fathers and grandfathers believed they were holier due to religion. However, after the birth of my first child, we switched to Kurdish names. My firstborn is named Armanj, meaning "goal," reflecting our aspirations. My second son, Omed, means "hope," and my third, Aza, means "freedom," symbolizing our newfound freedom at the time. We stopped using Arabic names; instead, we embraced Kurdish names, which we find more meaningful.

written by: Soma Fuad.