Najmadin Shukr Rauf (Paperback)

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Najmadin Shukr Rauf or Mama Risha (Kurdish: meaning Bearded Uncle) (1957 - January 25, 1985), was a prominent member of the Peshmerga, in northern Iraq during the Kurdish prolonged warfare with the Iraqi 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. According to some Kurdish sources he chose that nickname because he swore that he would never shave his beard until Kurdistan was totally free from Ba'ath Party's control. He was also nicknamed the "Iron Man" for his furious and well organized battles and ambushes against the Iraqi forces near the Kirkuk area.