The Islamic State group (ISIS) briefly took control of the mountain in 2014. Though Peshmerga forces retook overall control within a month, it witnessed continued clashes between the two groups for years.
Khalid Mullah Hassan was a Peshmerga commander who took part in the operation to recapture Zartik.
Prior to its recapture, the mountain was barren.
“Until 2014, there were no trees on this mountain. There was no shade to rest in. It was very hot when Peshmerga forces came here. We would move with the shadow of our cars. We thought the mountain should no longer be like that [desert],” Hassan said.
Khalid decided to grow a forest on the mountain.
“We planned [tree planting] with the army commander - he was very supportive of the idea. The first step was taken here. We planted this group of trees, then we developed the idea to build a forest. As a result, we planted more than 1,000 olive trees. We planted Vitis [grapevine] trees. To this date, we’ve planted about 1,200 trees here,” Hassan explained.
Tree planting took place even when the fear of deadly clashes breaking out was a constant. Khalid recounts a time when a group of Peshmerga were shot at while planting.
“We were a huge number of Peshmerga - about 20 were with me digging holes to plant more trees in. All of a sudden, we heard a lot of gunshots. Mortar rounds were landing in that valley, but the group continued to plant trees.”
In recounting the mission to make Zartik green, one Peshmerga expanded on the usual understanding of a soldier’s role to include the “sacred work” of planting trees in the midst of conflict.
“We could do both our duties [fighting and planting] because planting trees is sacred work. Wherever the Peshmerga goes, there should be reconstruction. Even if a place is in ruin, the Peshmerga has to reconstruct it.”
Reporting by Barzan Mohammed
