Barwari, 52, was born in Duhok, Kurdistan Region. He joined the Peshmerga at a young age and worked with the US army to topple Saddam Hussein.
He led Iraq’s highly trained and outfitted special forces. Trained by the US, the Golden Division ranks among the most elite forces in the Middle East and were at the forefront of the war against ISIS in Iraq.
His unit said they are in mourning for their "heroic leader," in a statement reacting to his death.
Barwari is credited with building up the division that ousted ISIS from places like Tikrit, Ramadi, Fallujah, and Mosul where they suffered enormous casualties.
ISIS put up a fierce fight for Mosul, with an elaborate network of tunnels, thousands of explosives planted throughout the city, and using civilians as human shields.
Barwari’s forces had to slow their progress, prioritizing protection of civilians as he explained to Rudaw in an interview from Mosul in December 2016.
“Our prediction was that we would be able to recapture Mosul in two months, assuming that people would flee the city enabling us to hit ISIS positions easier. But this didn’t turn out to be the case. People couldn’t flee the city. That is why only our forces entered the city, and now our priority in engaging with ISIS is protecting civilians. Other forces did not enter the city for they are not as well-trained in urban warfare as the Golden Division. Urban war is not easy. We couldn’t move tanks and artillery into the city, and there wasn’t enough manpower to advance into the city on all fronts.”
He was pragmatic about the massive casualty numbers his force suffered: “We lost the lives of many soldiers in our offensive to liberate Ramadi. But we eventually defeated ISIS and retook the town. We have been victorious in our battles to recapture Fallujah, Hit, and Tikrit. And we are still alive.”
Brett McGurk, US special envoy for the war against ISIS, described Barwari as a “legend.”
General Barwari was a heroic fighter and commander in the campaign against #ISIS to whom the world owes a debt of gratitude. Now a legend. Condolences to his family and fellow warriors. Rest In Peace. https://t.co/xhlSmqbLfr
— Brett McGurk (@brett_mcgurk) September 20, 2018
The spokesperson for Iraq's Ministry of Defence said Barwari will forever live on in the hearts of the people of Iraq.
"With deep sorrow and regret, the Joint Operations Command mourns one of the makers of victory over terrorists, the courageous hero leader of the first special operations General Fazil Barwari, the gallant who carried out onslaughts and rounds against the terrorist gangs. Death took him away due to a heart attack. This warrior will remain a pride for the homeland and in the hearts of all Iraqis," read the statement.
Incumbent Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who relied heavily on Barwari’s units, in the ISIS conflict noted Barwari’s courage.
"The head of the council of ministers, commander in chief of armed forces Dr. Haider al-Abadi, expresses condolences on the passing of general Fazil Barwari, commander of First Special Operations, who was courageously present in the fight against Daesh terrorism," Abadi stated on Friday.
The US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS also sent condolences to Barwari.
“With great sadness, our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the heroic Iraq Major General Fadil Berwari, commander of the elite CTS Golden Division, who passed after suffering a heart attack. Allah yarhemuhu,” tweeted spokesperson US Army Col. Sean Ryan on Friday.
"The head of the council of ministers, commander in chief of armed forces Dr. Haider al-Abadi, expresses condolences on the passing of general Fazil Barwari, commander of First Special Operations, who was courageously present in the fight against Daesh terrorism," Abadi stated on Friday.
The US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS also sent condolences to Barwari.
“With great sadness, our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the heroic Iraq Major General Fadil Berwari, commander of the elite CTS Golden Division, who passed after suffering a heart attack. Allah yarhemuhu,” tweeted spokesperson US Army Col. Sean Ryan on Friday.
Barwari’s body is at Erbil’s forensic department. After examination, his body will be transferred to Duhok, according to a close associate.With great sadness, our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the heroic #Iraq Major General Fadil Berwari, commander of the elite CTS Golden Division, who passed after suffering a heart attack. Allah yarhemuhu. #CTS, #Iraq pic.twitter.com/Rgtj3tgXmD
— OIR Spokesman (@OIRSpox) September 21, 2018
Updated at 2:42 p.m., September 21, 2018
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