Open Wounds

“These Photos are part of a long-term project documenting the sacrifices of Kurdish Peshmerga in the fight to put down ISIS.”

The project has taken me to the provinces of Iraqi Kurdistan. Speaking with several hundred Peshmerga, taking intimate portraits of the wounded fighters, their families, and documenting both the stories in the battle and their ongoing struggles to navigate post-conflict life. Through the work, I found stories of immense suffering. Fighters who took up arms, not because they were required to do so, but because it was right and it was what had to be done. These men, often fighting side by side with brothers, uncles, cousins, fathers, and sons, knew that the freedom and survival of their people were at stake.

As they retold stories of watching family and friends killed in front of them and of battles they did not expect to survive, they simultaneously shed tears for the losses and for the pride they had in what their comrades and they had done.

All most of the men showed severe physical injury. Arms, legs, and eyes lost. Bodies so riddled with bullet and shrapnel wounds that simple movement created wincing pain. These men also showed the signs of the heavy burdens of the mental traumas, of PTSD, and of memories that would not leave them. Despite all they suffered, they often said they would go back to the fight again if ever called. They would do this for their children, their families, their people, and for the wider world.

Tragically, their suffering does not end having returned home. The men face new challenges, such as getting prosthetic limbs, ongoing care, providing for their families despite their debilitating injuries, and more. They wonder, if they would give everything to help protect the world, will the world help them or forget them now that have put down their guns.

I have hope that, through this work exploring conflict and post-conflict humanitarian issues, the World may better understand what these men and their families have given for the Kurdish people, the region, and, in fact, the world.

Renas Farzande Nazhat was born in 1988, he was Peshmarga since 2004. He got wounded two times in different battles with ISIS and the last time was in Rabia near Mosul, in Sep 2014 by a suicide car bombing and He lost his left hand and his left eye and left side of his body got shrapnel. He was at that battle with his father and three of his brothers and his father and one of his brothers got wounded at the same time as him. He has an 85% disability and he has four kids.
Satar Hamad Ali 42 Years old and his wife Fateme Faysal Ali 34 Years old, Satar was retired when ISIS Attacked the area and he decided to go to the frontline as a volunteer and then he got wounded by grenade or RPG (he’s not sure) in Jalawla area when isis attacked their base, but he continues fighting them and after half an hour again he got wounded by a direct shot in the face in 14th Oct 2014.
Salman Farman Saleh was born in 1992 and joined the Peshmerga in 2009. He was wounded in fighting ISIS in Dec 2014 in Makhmour near Mosul. As a member of a team that clears IEDs, he was cleaning a field of mines when one exploded near him. The blast took both his legs, one hand, one eye, and an ear. He has a 100% disability. He has two kids. This is just one of the more than 10,000 Peshmerga were wounded in the against ISIS.
Rekan Swar Omar was born in 1982, he is Peshmarga since 1996 and he got wounded in fighting ISIS in Jun 2014 in Rabia in Mosul Governorate. He got a direct bullet into his genital tract and he cannot live easily and still have problems after years. For treatment, he went to Turkey, He has three kids and he has a 75% disability. According to Media reporters, more than 10,000 Peshmargah were wounded in the IS war.
Sagvan Saifadin Kendal was born in 1984, he is Peshmarga since 1999 and he got wounded in fighting ISIS in Dec 2014 with mortars in Sinjar in Mosul province. He lost two legs He went to Turkey. He has two kids and he has a 100% disability. According to Media reporters, more than 10,000 Peshmargah were wounded in the IS war.
Saleh Hossien Ahmad Abdullah was born in 1950 and decided to join the Peshmerga in 1966. While fighting ISIS, he was wounded inAugust 2014 in Zummar in Mosul province. A bullet ripped into his body and he was sent to Turkey for treatment. He has nine kids and he has a 75% disability. This is just one of the more than 10,000 Peshmerga were wounded in the against ISIS.
Mozafar Ghader Ahmad was born in 1971, he is Peshmarga since 1985 and he got wounded in fighting ISIS in Aug 2014 with the explosion of a mortar close to him at Makhmour in Mosul province. He was in Koma for eighteen days. With the fragments of that mortar that hit his back, his spinal cord got cut and he is still unable to move, he has no control over his urine and has lost his sexual power. He has seven kids and he has a 100% disability and because he can not move his body for the last 6 years he lay down on this bed and his wife and kids are helping him with everything needs.
Mohammad Sharif Rasul was born in 1970, he is Peshmarga since 1991 and during this time two-time he got wounded which last time was fighting ISIS in Nov 2014 by mortars in Tel al-Ward Area near Kirkuk. 15 times he got surgery for treatment and six months he Hospitalization, he has six kids. According to Media reporters, more than 10,000 Peshmargah were wounded in the IS war.
Masoud Hamad Majid was born in 1978. Masoud is Peshmargah since 1992 and got wounded at the battle with ISIL with the IED explosion. They did eleven surgery for his hand, leg, ear, and his eye and still, he needs more. He has seven kids and he suffers from PTSD.
Hawar Mohammad Abdullah was born in 1985 and has been a Peshmerga since 2000. Hawar was wounded on two separate occasions while fighting ISIS. In April 2015, in Mara village in Kirkuk province, he was shot. Less than an hour later he was wounded again by an IED (improvised explosive device). It took 6 months of treatment before he would recover, at which point he went back to the frontlines. The second time Hawar was wounded was in September 2017. While fighting in the village of Abo Mohammad in Kirkuk province he was again wounded by an IED. The explosion left him in a coma for 33 days. His wife, who was pregnant, suffered a heart attack and died, which he attributes to the stress she endured following his second injury. The injuries left Hawar’s body battered and scared. He lost his left ear and left eye and after 5 surgeries he has recovered only 50% of his sight in his right eye. He has also lost his Duodenum and more than 200 pieces of shrapnel remain in his body. Life is hard for Hawar, with three kids he struggles to manage their needs despite receiving 100% disability designation. With more treatment needed, he hopes the government will help to ensure that he does not have to have his leg amputated. This is just one of the more than 10,000 Peshmerga were wounded in the against ISIS.
Farzande Nazhat Khorshid was born in 1961, he was Peshmarga since 1979, and his son Renas Farzande Nazhat was born in 1988 and he becomes peshmarga in 2004. Both of them got wounded in fighting ISIS in Rabia in Sep 2014 by a suicide car bombing.
Farzande Nazhat Khorshid was born in 1961, he was Peshmarga since 1979. He got wounded several times in different wars and the last time he was in fighting ISIS in Rabia in Sep 2014 by a suicide car bombing and he got big shrapnel into his back and more in all his body and three of his Rib got broke. He was at that battle with four of his sons and two of them got wounded at the same time as him. He has a 60% disability.
Brahim Ahmad Ebrahim Ghader was born in 1969, he is Peshmarga since 1993 and during this time two-time he got wounded which last time was fighting ISIS in May 2015 and he lost two-leg with and one eye and a lot of shrapnel in his body by the explosion from an IED in Daqoq Area near Kirkuk. According to Media reporters, more than 10,000 Peshmargah were wounded in the IS war.
Bahman Ahmad Naw Khosh was born in 1988 and he has been a Peshmerga since 2007. Bahman was wounded while fighting ISIS in October 2015 in the Qwer area near Mosul province. During the battle, he was first shot by two enemy bullets and was wounded again when a coalition airstrike came too close. The severity of his wounded forced doctors to amputate his right leg. Bahman has four kids. This is just one of the more than 10,000 Peshmerga were wounded in the against ISIS.
Ayub Rostam Abdullah was born in 1989, he is Peshmarga since 2012 and he got wounded in fighting ISIS in Dec 2014 in Sinjar in Mosul province. IS Surrounded them for more than a day and night during the fighting and at the last moments, he got a direct bullet in the eye before a new unit reach and help them. For treatment, he went to Turkey and Germany and there. He has one girl and he has a 90% disability. According to Media reporters, more than 10,000 Peshmargah were wounded in the IS war.

Hawar Mohammad Abdullah with his two wives( The old one, Fawziya Kheder born in 1987 and the young one, Zaynab Hossien Ali was born in 2004, Hawar was born in 1985 and has been a Peshmerga since 2000. Hawar was wounded on two separate occasions while fighting ISIS. In April 2015, in Mara village in Kirkuk province, he was shot. Less than an hour later he was wounded again by an IED (improvised explosive device). It took 6 months of treatment before he would recover, at which point he went back to the frontlines. The second time Hawar was wounded was in September 2017. While fighting in the village of Abo Mohammad in Kirkuk province he was again wounded by an IED. The explosion left him in a coma for 33 days. The injuries left HawarÕs body battered and scared. He lost his left ear and left eye and after 5 surgeries he has recovered only 50% of his sight in his right eye. He has also lost his Duodenum and more than 200 pieces of shrapnel remain in his body. Life is hard for Hawar, with three kids he struggles to manage their needs despite receiving 100% disability designation. With more treatment needed, he hopes the government will help to ensure that he does not have to have his leg amputated.
Hazhar Nader Hassan Fathallah, 41, and his wife Sheler Abdullah Hassan, 37 and their baby. He lost both his legs to an ISIS improvised explosive device in September 2014 in Makhmour in Mosul province. Beyond the loss of limbs, Hazhar’s struggles with PTSD have made him quick to anger. He is plagued by persistent nightmares of being on the battlefield, alone, without ammunition, with ISIS closing in. With physical limitations and PTSD, he recognizes the toll the war has taken, not just on him, but also on his family. Hazhar’s wife helps to support the family both by working outside the home and within it, by tending to her children and husband.
Mohammad Abdullah Mohammad Amin was born in 1979 and his wife Hajar Karim Melko was born in 1979, he is Peshmarga since 1999. He got wounded in fighting ISIS near Mosul Dam in Oct 2016 by the direct SPG9 rocket and he lost his left eye and he got a lot of shrapnel to his right side of his body. He has four kids and he suffers from PTSD.
Mehdi Salim Fares was born in 1978 in Barzan and his wife Hozan Mohammad Sharif was born in 1983. Mahdi is Peshmargah since 2001 and got wounded at the battle with ISIL with a direct sniper bullet. His wife has to work for their living. He has three kids and he suffers from PTSD and he has a 40% disability.
Hazhar Nader Hassan Fathallah was born in 1979, he has been a Peshmerga since 1999. He was wounded in September 2014 by IED in Makhmour in Mosul province. The IED took both his legs. Both the pain of his injuries and the challenges of living with PTSD make daily life a challenge. His wife Sheler Abdullah Hassan, she is 37 Years old.
Halo Mahmoud Shamorad was born in 1983 and has been a Peshmerga since 2003. His wife is Zohre Zaher Ali and she is 29 Years Old. Halo has injured a total of eight times in the fighting against ISIS. Each time Halo returned to the frontlines. The last time that he was injured was in October 2015 in Hawija near Mosul. The head of a unit that’s responsibility was to clear IEDs, was cleaning a field when one of the mines exploded. The IED took his left hand and ear and left him with burns on over 33% of his body. After recovering for just 18 days Halo went back to the battle and he remained there until the end of the war with ISIS. He is married and he has a 75% disability.
Eskandar Haidar Omar was born in 1968, he is Peshmarga since 1985 and he got wounded in fighting ISIS in Aug 2014 in the Makhmour area in Mosul Governorate. He got wounded by IED when they are driving at the frontline and he lost two legs. A few months later, he returned to the front and continued to fight. His wife is Sanjaq Omar Mostafa, born in 1960 He has nine kids and he has a 100% disability. According to Media reporters, more than 10,000 Peshmargah were wounded in the IS war.
Farman Taha Esmail was born in 1984, and his wife Rezan Pirmam Haji born in 1985 with their newborn Kijan. Farman was a peshmerga since 2003 and he got wounded in 2015 in ISIL fighting and now he’s not able to work. Farman is a Student and he has four kids.
Farzande Nazhat Khorshid was born in 1961 with his wife, he was Peshmarga since 1979. He got wounded several times in different wars and the last time he was in fighting ISIS in Rabia in Sep 2014 by a suicide car bombing and he got big shrapnel into his back and more in all his body and three of his Rib got broke. He was at that battle with four of his sons and two of them got wounded at the same time as him. He has a 60% disability.
Ebrahim Ahmad Ebrahim Ghader was born in 1969 and his wife Hajera Mohammad Abdullah was born in 1979, he is Peshmarga since 1993 and during this time two-time he got wounded which last time was fighting ISIS in May 2015 and he lost two-leg with and one eye and a lot of shrapnel in his body by the explosion from an IED in Daqoq Area near Kirkuk. According to Media reporters, more than 10,000 Peshmargah were wounded in the IS war.
Ahmad Mohammad Ahmad Hamadamin was born in 1980 and his wife Zolaykha Rasul Mala was born in 1984, he is Peshmarga since 1997 and he got wounded in fighting ISIS in Aug 2017 with a direct heavy gun bullet and RPG in Zarga near Duz. 14 times he got surgery for treatment for his nerves, The last Surgery was in July 2020. According to Media reporters, more than 10,000 Peshmargah were wounded in the IS war.
Mohammad Sharif Rasul was born in 1970 and his wife Ayesha Abdullah Ahmad was born in 1971, he is Peshmarga since 1991 and during this time two-time he got wounded which last time was fighting ISIS in Nov 2014 by mortars in Tel al-Ward Area near Kirkuk. 15 times he got surgery for treatment and six months he Hospitalization, he has six kids. According to Media reporters, more than 10,000 Peshmargah were wounded in the IS war.
Mohammad Sharif Shakhsa Abdullah was born in 1972 and his wife Bas Hama Kheder was born in 1976, he is Peshmarga since 1991 and he got wounded in fighting ISIS in Jul 2014 with a Grenade or RPG in Jalawla in Diyala province. He lost one eye and he got hundreds of shrapnel in his face and body. After 29 days after his wounding, he goes back to the frontline and continues fighting IS, He has Six kids. According to Media reporters, more than 10,000 Peshmargah were wounded in the IS war.
Mosa Bapir Mosa Rasul was born in 1953 and his wife Piroza Hamakhan Hassan was born in 1970, he is Peshmarga since 1971 and during all this time four-time he got wounded which last time was fighting ISIS in April 2015 which he lost a leg with an IED (Improvised explosive device) in Zarga Area. According to Media reporters, more than 10,000 Peshmargah were wounded in the IS war.
Mozafar Ghader Ahmad was born in 1971, His wife Zolaykha Mohammad was born in 1974. Mozafar is Peshmarga since 1985 and he got wounded in fighting ISIS in Aug 2014 with the explosion of a mortar close to him at Makhmour in Mosul province. He was in Koma for eighteen days. With the fragments of that mortar that hit his back, his spinal cord got cut and he is still unable to move, he has no control over his urine and has lost his sexual power. He has seven kids and he has a 100% disability and because he can not move his body for the last 6 years he lay down on this bed and his wife and kids are helping him with everything needs.
Nasrollah Morad Sulayman 41 Years old and his wife Nezar Eisa Salim 30 Years old and their newborn Arma. Nasrollah is Peshmarga since 2010 and he got wounded in fighting ISIS in Jun 2016 in the Tuz Khurmatu in Saladin Governorate by an RPG rocket and all of his face and a hand and two-finger and also his back got broke and wounded. He has a 65% disability. Nezar is doing everything and fighting to care for husbands with PTSD and their three children to seem normal and live normally which is not easy for her.
Nawzad Abdullah Hamad Fathi 37 Years old and his wife Shagol Maghdid Fatah 32 years old, They have three kids. Two times during his duty as a Peshmarga he got wounded which the last one was in 1th Jun 2015 he for injured by IED explosion and he got some shrapnel in his face and breast, after two months he comes back to the frontline and continues fighting ISIS till the end of the war.
Omar Younes Ali was born in 1972 and his wife Zaynab Kamel Khaled was born in 1973, he is Peshmarga since 1997 and he got wounded in fighting ISIS in Aug 2015 with a direct sniper bullet in Kaske near Mosul Dam. He cannot work and his wife has to work for paying the life cost. He has a 95% disability and Eleven kids. According to Media reporters, more than 10,000 Peshmargah were wounded in the IS war.
4Renas Farzande Nazhat was born in 1988, and his wife Maghbola Mohammad Saeed born in 1987, Renas was Peshmarga since 2004. He got wounded two times in different battles with ISIS and the last time was in Rabia near Mosul, in Sep 2014 by a suicide car bombing and He lost his left hand and his left eye and left side of his body got shrapnel. He was at that battle with his father and three of his brothers and his father and one of his brothers got wounded at the same time as him. He has an 85% disability and he has four kids.
Salman Farman Saleh with his two kids, He was born in 1992 joined the Peshmerga in 2009. He was wounded in fighting ISIS in Dec 2014 in Makhmour near Mosul. As a member of a team that clears IEDs, he was cleaning a field of mines when one exploded near him. The blast took both his legs, one hand, one eye, and an ear. He has a 100% disability. He has two kids.
Saleh Hossien Ahmad Abdullah was born in 1950, he is Peshmarga since 1966 and he got wounded in fighting ISIS in Aug 2014 with a direct bullet in Zummar in Mosul province. For treatment, he went to Turkey. He has nine kids and he has a 75% disability. According to Media reporters, more than 10,000 Peshmargah were wounded in the IS war.
Satar Hamad Ali 42 Years old and his wife Fateme Faysal Ali 34 Years old, Satar was retired when ISIS Attacked the area and he decided to go to the frontline as a volunteer and then he got wounded by grenade or RPG (he’s not sure) in Jalawla area when isis attacked their base, but he continues fighting them and after half an hour again he got wounded by a direct shot in the face in 14th Oct 2014.
Shakhawan Ghazi Ghasem was born in 1985 and his wife Hero Hatam Abdullah was born in 1986, Shakhawan has been a Peshmerga since 2004. Shakhawan was wounded and his spinal cord got cut while fighting ISIS in July 2014 in the Bashiqa area near Mosul province. He has a 100% disability and they have five kids.
Weshyar Aziz Maghdid with his family, he born in 1981 and he got wounded at Aug 2014 by an improvised explosive device (IED) and he lost Left leg and left eye and both ear especially the left one as well as he got a lot of Shrapnel in his body. He has a 95% disability and he has three kids, Rayan 2011, Rozhin 2015 and Ahmad 2019. His wife Chenar Khalid Abdullah born 1987.

Yasser Renas Farzande four years old, posing for a photo while he has his father’s artificial hand in hand, His father Renas got wounded two times in different battles with ISIS and the last time was in Rabia near Mosul, in Sep 2014 by a suicide car bombing and He lost his left hand and his left eye and left side of his body got shrapnel. His father was at that battle with his grandfather and three of his uncle and his grandfather and one of his uncles got wounded at the same time as his father. His father has an 85% disability.
Rayan born in 2011 posing for a photo while she has his father’s artificial hand in hand, she is Weshyar Aziz Maghdid’s daughter, Rayan’s father born in 1981 and he got wounded in Aug 2014 by an improvised explosive device (IED) and he lost Left leg and left eye and both ear especially the left one as well as he got a lot of Shrapnel in his body. Rayan’s father has a 95% disability and he has two other kids.
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