ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The family of Barzan Mohammed, one of four Peshmerga soldiers beheaded by ISIS on Friday, spoke to Rudaw correspondent Hiwa Hussamaddin at the fallen fighter's funeral in Kirkuk on Saturday.
Family members told Rudaw that Mohammed, the father of a young girl was captured by ISIS on January 30 along with 20 Peshmerga comrades.
“I am Barzan’s brother. Barzan was born in 1991. Many people were telling us that he would be released in a prisoner exchange. We thank the president for the Hawija operation, but unfortunately he was not among the hostages,” Dana Mohammed told Rudaw.
Mohammed’s body is still with ISIS. His family and friends claim the lack of weapons and military equipment was the cause of his capture and death.
Shno Mohammed, Barzan’s sister, told Rudaw: “We are very saddened by Barzan’s death. He left an orphan behind him. Since yesterday, we are punishing ourselves with sadness. My brother was fighting with his heart. He could have escaped just like the high officials and return home, but he was not fighting for the sake of salary.”
The sister also stressed the Peshmerga’s lack of military supplies and made allegations of a cover-up.
"After the battle, a box of extra bullets was placed at the sight of the incident so they coul claim that there were enough equipment. We talked with Barzan, he swore that he was left without a single bullet. He asked for extra bullets. If there were enough bullets, why would he ask for them?”
Barzan’s family made many demand for his release, but were unsuccessful.
News blogs and social media accounts affiliated with ISIS published on Friday video footage allegedly of the beheading four Peshmerga at the site of the US-Kurdish raid near Hawija in Kirkuk province on October 22.
ISIS's video showed the gruesome beheadings of four Peshmerga members, including Mohammed.
The footage begins with scenes from the joint US-Kurdish operation and is allegedly recorded at the site of the operation.
