Peshmerga: fighting for Peace and a Nation  

After the invasion of the Kurdistan Region  (parts of Turkey, Iraq, Ira and Syria)  by Islamic State (ISIS’) – in order to get economical and religious power through terrorism and violence –  the Kurds have united their forces, especially the Force Peshmerga (Kurdistan Army), to cease offensives by ISIS against civilians and cities. One of the most important group of fighters currently in Kurdistan on this combate and humanitarian aid is Peshmerga, that is formed by men and women, both locals and foreigners, who risk their lives to guarantee peace on their community in the future.

 

 

 

Kurdish Check Point near to frontline in North of Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmerga (ex American CIA militar) in Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015. Among the soldiers there are several foreigners who defend and fight for peace together with the peshmergas and against the violence caused by the jihadists.
Peshmergas in Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmergas near frontline in Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmergas in frontline in combat against Islamic State (ISIS), Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmergas in frontline in combat against Islamic State (ISIS), Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmergas in frontline in combat against Islamic State (ISIS), Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Commanders of the Peshmergas discussing new strategies against the Islamic State (ISIS). Also known as Daesh, extremists are increasingly violent and desperate to gain more space. Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Commander of the Peshmergas show off their weapons while discussing new strategies against the Islamic State (ISIS). Also known as Daesh, extremists are increasingly violent and desperate to gain more space. Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Commanders of the Peshmergas discussing new strategies against the Islamic State (ISIS). Also known as Daesh, extremists are increasingly violent and desperate to gain more space. Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmergas show piece of gun launched by Islamist state against civilians in northern Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmergas in frontline in combat against Islamic State (ISIS), Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmergas in frontline in combat against Islamic State (ISIS), Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Commander of one of the Peshmergas bases tells how the fighting works since the frontline is a few meters from the Islamic State (ISIS). According to him, weekly car bombs approach the peshmergas and attack them. Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
In the war against the extremists the peshmergas sometimes lose and, with that, also civilians. This time they celebrate because the victory was theirs, the peshmergas. Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Soldiers in a period of rest between one battle and another against the Islamic State (ISIS). Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Dormitory and resting space of the peshmergas from one of the bases in northern Iraq, (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmergas in frontline in combat against Islamic State (ISIS), Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Young peshmergas waiting to enter the next shift. Even though Kurdistan often does not have the conditions to pay soldiers, they work and are dedicated to protecting communities against the Islamic State (ISIS). Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmerga (ex American CIA militar) in Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015. Among the soldiers there are several foreigners who defend and fight for peace together with the peshmergas and against the violence caused by the jihadists.
Peshmergas in frontline base waiting for new combat shifts against Islamic State (ISIS), Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmergas in frontline base waiting for new combat shifts against Islamic State (ISIS), Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Foreign Peshmerga prepares to fight near the base, which had just recovered a war tank used by Islamic State (ISIS). Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmergas in frontline in combat against Islamic State (ISIS), Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmergas in frontline in combat against Islamic State (ISIS), Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmerga in his moment of personal hygiene. Even though almost always precarious conditions, the combatants fight with all the energy and dedication so that the legacy of the Islamic State (ISIS) finishes. Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmergas in frontline in combat against Islamic State (ISIS), Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmerga volunteers combat few kilometres away from the Islamic State (ISIS) wearing civilians’ clothes. With very little subsidies and many difficulties, the Peshmerga may spend months without getting their salaries, therefore they need to have a second job further to being a Peshmerga: For instance taxi drivers, merchant or farmers. Nevertheless, the old man in the photo proudly confides that “the satisfaction of being able to defend the nation overcomes the several obstacles”. Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Wearing improper clothes and protection, a Peshmerga soldier combats the Islamic State (ISIS). The Kurdish government struggles, as it strongly depends on funds from Bagdad, Iraq’s capital. In turn, most of the times the Peshmergas have to subside for clothes and equipment on their own. Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmergas in frontline in combat against Islamic State (ISIS), Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmerga recounts victory against the jihadists by showing a video made shortly after capturing the power of a community and freeing civilians. Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
General of the Peshmerga command passes instructions to the soldiers in the next hours of combat against the Islamic state. After being shot in conflict, the general, who is in a wheelchair, no longer fights. Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Barzani, a general of the Peshmerga Army and brother of the current president of Kurdistan, Massoud Barzani, tells of fighting against the Islamic State (ISIS). By being part of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the fighting in their battle is better equipped and their soldiers have better opportunities. Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmerga in frontline in combat against Islamic State (ISIS), Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Vest of one of the international peshmergas. Known by the name of Rebaz, it takes, besides the radio of communication, a notebook and a pen in which describes its days in form of book for the son. Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmerga in religious time. Some bases share the space for daily prayers with posters explaining to soldiers about armaments and combat strategies. Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Commanders of the Peshmergas discussing new strategies against the Islamic State (ISIS) While they rest for the next round of battles. At these times, they talk, take the typical black tea and watch television. Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Daily food of the peshmergas on the bases that are not from the current ruling party, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Daily food of the peshmergas in the bases that are of the current ruling party, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Peshmerga and civilian resident of a community closely to one of the frontlines. Collaboration of civilians to devise new military combat strategies is important. Once the community supports the peshmergas, the isis loses part of its power of persuasion. Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.
Commanders of the Peshmergas discussing new strategies against the Islamic State (ISIS) While they rest for the next round of battles. At these times, they talk, take the typical black tea and watch television. Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Middle East, 2015.