Najmadin Shukr Rauf Zanganeh or "Mama Risha" (, July 1, 1957 – January 25, 1985), was a prominent Kurdish member of the Peshmerga loyal to the PUK.
He is known for his courage and fearlessness, he became a heroic and courageous Peshmerga and fought for the freedom of Kurdistan, and for that he sacrificed his life and war for this freedom and soul. Made it a name that would be famous.
Early life
He was born in the village of Talaban near Kirkuk into a poor Kurdish family from the Zangana tribe. His father was a prominent imam in the village. Since there were no schools in their village, he never received an education. He was soon recognized for his potential as a guerrilla fighter as well as his personal qualities like bravery, courage, sincerity and fairness. He became the commander of the Karti 4 brigade in 1982. Under his command, Karti 4 became one of the most effective forces of PUK. His mental strength as well as his physical strength, stamina, and speed gave him a near mythical status in Kurdish society who were suffering oppression under Saddam Hussein's rule. According to some sources, he chose the nickname "Mama Risha" because he swore that he would never shave his beard until Kurdistan was fully free from the Ba'ath Party's control. He was also nicknamed the "Iron Man" for his furious and well organized battles and ambushes against the Iraqi forces near the Kirkuk area The biggest war he has participated in is called the Hamek War War, which was in the Hamek area, with 11 peshmerga soldiers facing more than 2,800 Iraqi soldiers and helicopters and scored victories.