Time in Iraq is marked by tea which is punctually served at every meeting by quick and silent subordinates. I write Iraq, but I think Kurdistan, because this is where I am: in Iraqi Kurdistan, not simply in the north of the country, as the newspapers hastily write and how they hate to be summarized here. Less than 20 miles from Mosul, on the Makhmur front, is the 'Black Tiger' peshmerga camp. In the warmth of a newly lit fireplace under a curtain covered with camouflage nets, I am in the presence of Brigadier General Serwan Barzani.
The general sits between us and in a calm and distinct tone tells us how difficult it is to fight an insidious, asymmetrical, multiform and well-trained enemy like ISIS. "ISIS fighters are inclined to change their tactics quickly; among their ranks there are well-trained militants from Chechnya, Albania, Egypt and the former army of Saddam. Not long ago the black flags were waving right here, in the area where we are now and in all the surrounding villages which, with great sacrifice, have been released one after another. They are retreating everywhere on a 2.000-kilometer-long front divided into 8 sectors where, in addition to the battalions of peshmerga volunteers, 6 Iraqi divisions are deployed. Although worse equipped and unpaid by the Baghdad government, our smaller battalions of peshmerga volunteers are giving ISIS more trouble than they are able to give whole Iraqi divisions (...) and then they are terrified of our 'female combatants', they are afraid of being killed by them and therefore of not going to heaven to their virgins. Only literally terrified to see them advance against them, they often retreat without even fighting"- explains the general pleased.
Asked about when Mosul will be freed, the general glides, then yields, and reveals a truth common to all modern wars: "It's a political question, the city has practically fallen ..."but then he adds"In spite of our profound and fundamental effort, we will not however be the one to free the city: this honor belongs to the Iraqi Army."
At lunch, in front of a plate of orecchiette dressed with a meat sauce very Iraqi, the general continues his war stories. He jokes asking us if our families are not afraid to know about it here, because we are all very young. Asked if the air support brought by the International Coalition is effective enough, diplomacy makes its weight felt: "The support of the air supplied by the Coalition is very effective. For an army that does not own aviation, and that had never received air support before, this is a great help"In an adjoining room then, the general shows us on paper the various sectors and the latest military maneuvers moved on the field by the peshmerga troops.
The 'Black Tiger Camp' is made up of low white concrete structures covered with camouflage nets, alternating with camp tents, with both spaces for training, and surrounded by embankments covered by sandbags, barbed wire interspersed with anti-obstacles. porcupine wagon.
A long line of LAV (Light Armored Vehicle) Spartan 4x4 is parked in the shelter of a garage: they are all equipped with turrets with machine guns and small artillery calibers, some showing the obvious signs of gunshot on the armored glass. Next to them are curious vehicles parked, a peshmerga he explains to me that those are all vehicles captured at ISIS during the actions: among them stands out one of the typical mortar pieces used by the caliphate, with the black flag painted on it, a Hummer with additional armor, two old crawlers, probably belonging to the Republican Army and some pickup. There is also a craft drone shot down by a well-aimed burst: it looks like a toy for children, but it reported lethal information.
We are curious, detached from the group, to first surprise the picket of peshmerga intent on siding in our honor. None of them understands us, none of them speak English, only one thing knows and makes them smile pleased: they understand that we are Italians. Italians like some of their best trainers operating at our Erbil base tell us about the officers; and this is a great satisfaction.
Their equipment is assorted by pieces whose provenance can be judged by an eye: English helmets, body armor Americans, Italian gibernaggi on camouflage woodland. They are all armed with variants of AK-47.
As the picket is passed in review, a roar of helicopters makes everyone roll their eyes. They are a couple of NH 90s, in all likelihood they are ours returning to Erbil.
After the usual photos the general leaves us with a request: if ours peshemerga continue to achieve victories, it is only for their indomitable courage, certainly not for their military power; the peshmerga they need more effective weapons to be used on the front lines, equipment, EU and US support; but they will continue to fight anyway, with or without, against the oppression of the IS. They are used to fighting for their freedom, it is an uncomfortable tradition that has made them legendary fighters, modern 'Spartans'.
Before leaving us one last question, he keeps it "Why 'Black Tiger' general?"Smiles under the mustache"It was my nickname 25 years ago, when I fought on the mountains: Black Tiger".
"Black tiger"he repeats, smiling even with his eyes.
(photos and images of the author)
