Mother of 'Martyr of Four Parts of Kurdistan' reflects on her son's legacy in Kobanê
Zeravan's ultimate sacrifice has earned him the honorific title of the “Martyr of Four Parts of Kurdistan,” symbolizing his commitment to the Kurdish struggle across all regions.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The home of Martyr Zeravan Akram, who sacrificed his life in the battle for Kobanê, serves as a testament to his enduring legacy.
His ultimate sacrifice has earned him the honorific title of the “Martyr of Four Parts of Kurdistan,” symbolizing his commitment to the Kurdish struggle across all regions.
In memory of her son, Zeravan’s mother has kept his Peshmerga uniforms as a reminder of his bravery.
With tears in her eyes, she reflects on the profound mixture of pride and grief she feels for her son’s sacrifice. “Though my son’s martyrdom has brought immense sorrow and pain, giving his life for all parts of Kurdistan is a great honor and a source of pride,” she shared.
“He became a martyr for the sake of our nation and our land. This is an immense source of pride. Any decision made by President Barzani is justified and true,” Zeravan’s mother emphasized, adding, “We follow President Barzani’s call.”
Zeravan’s memory is deeply tied to the story of Kobanê. “Whenever Kobanê is mentioned, my son’s name comes to mind. This fills me with pride, even though it can be difficult to bear at times,” she expressed.
“His blood was spilled in Kobanê, and his body rests here. The connection between Zeravan and Kobanê is a source of great pride to me,” she added.
On Oct. 28, 2014, following a directive from President Barzani, 150 Peshmerga forces—including Zeravan—were deployed to Kobanê with a range of light and heavy weaponry.
Their arrival shifted the balance of power against ISIS, marking a turning point in the battle. Under the leadership of the Peshmerga, the fight against ISIS became increasingly successful, reclaiming territory street by street until Kobanê was fully liberated.
The Peshmerga supervisor, Lieutenant General (Fareeq) Abdulqahar Abdulmajid Doski, who led the forces during that time recalled, “We entered Kobanê at around 11:00 PM, delivering much-needed ammunition to local fighters. By Oct. 31, 2014, we launched an offensive and fought for 21 intense days of street battles, gradually reclaiming the city. Within that time, we managed to liberate 85% of Kobanê, and then continued to expand our control and resettle displaced residents.”
Prior to the arrival of the Peshmerga, local fighters held only 15% of Kobanê. With support from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the decision from President Barzani, the Peshmerga turned the tide of the battle, helping to secure the entire region from ISIS occupation.
Ten years have passed since President Barzani’s historic initiative sent the 150 Peshmerga forces to Kobanê, resulting in a momentous victory. When the triumphant Peshmerga forces returned home, thousands of citizens gathered along the Semel-Duhok road to honor their heroic efforts and celebrate their return.
The memory of their sacrifice, like that of Martyr Zeravan, remains a source of enduring pride for the Kurdish people.
Kurdistan24 correspondent Bewar Hilmi did further reporting.
