Kurdish businesswoman pays med bills of wounded Peshmerga

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — A Kurdish businesswoman has undertaken supporting medical treatment for 13 Kurdish Peshmerga who were severely injured fighting the Islamic State. 
 
"Until now, I have donated $1 million in a small effort to send 13 Kurdish Peshmerga abroad, and I will continue to help other Peshmerga that are in need of treatment abroad," Chra Rafiq, a Kurdish businesswoman and wife of the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) oil and natural resources minister Ashti Hawrami, told Rudaw.
 
"I call on the Peshmerga ministry to take serious steps to treat the many wounded Peshmerga who are still suffering from their heavy wounds and can be treated abroad," she added.
 
Salman Farman, a disabled Peshmerga who lost his legs, eyes and one ear, was one of the Peshmerga sent abroad by Rafiq for medical treatment.
 
In an attempt to defuse a landmine on the Makhmour front in the fight against ISIS, Farman lost parts of his body and he recently returned to the Kurdistan region after receiving treatment abroad. 
 
“I lost both legs, a hand and both eyes as well as an ear. My only wish is to see my 9-month-old child. I have not seen him for nine months,” Salman said. “It feels like 900 years for me.”
 
The fight against the Islamic State has resulted in the wounding of at least 7,000 Kurdish Peshmerga.