In times when a US-led international coalition prepares to intensify attacks on

jihadist group Islamic State, Kurdish fighters, the peshmerga, are key in the fi
ghting taking place in northern Iraq.
And women play a leading role in that struggle.
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The BBC accompanied a female elite unit that was preparing to go to the battlefr
ont.
In the early hours of the morning assembly convenes fighters at a military facil
ity on the outskirts of Sulaimaniya, a city in the autonomous region of Kurdista
n.
The troops have a look of seriousness and concentration despite the scorching he
at of the Iraqi summer.
Firm position in fatigues and Kalashnikov rifles shouldered, this unit does not
seem different from any other camp.
However, long hair brushed back and rolled into a bun under the cap, and a hint
of makeup on some of the faces, is what betrays.
Combat ready
Kurdish fighters
The fighters have the task of ensuring Kirkuk and the surrounding oilfields.
This female unit security forces-Kurdistan peshmerga are undergoing intense trai
ning.
The peshmerga say they are determined to protect Kurdistan and the Kurdish peopl
e.
Women take part in a mission to secure the city of Kirkuk and the surrounding oi
lfields.
" They have taken up arms and gone into battle to protect Kurdistan and also to
say that there is no difference between men and women "
Nahida Colonel Ahmed Rashid
Some of the members are getting ready to go to the front to fight the jihadists
of the Islamic State, formerly known as ISIS (the Islamic State in Iraq and the
Levant).
The unit commander, Colonel Nahida Ahmed Rashid says that the unit was formed in
1996 to deal with forces loyal to former President Saddam Hussein.
Several hundred women combatants, all volunteers in the unit. Few who have been
in combat, but many have been telling their commander who want to fight, since I
SIS captured large parts of northern and western Iraq, in June.
The Colonel Rashid says its fighters have been training every day and ready.
"They have trained with weapons and tactics units and other special forces. Some
have already fought off male colleagues in the front lines and will be sending
others to Kirkuk soon. Personally I was there recently," he says.
Conflict areas
The peshmerga have been instrumental in maintaining the security of the Kurdista
n Region.
Colonel Rashid
The Colonel Rashid says women are ready for combat.
The Colonel Nahida Ahmed Rashid says that the unit is ready for combat.
Families support the decision of women to link with the peshmerga, said the colo
nel.
In recent months, also penetrated in disputed areas that were abandoned by Iraqi
security forces during the progress of ISIS.
" I'm very happy, I've been training eight years for this. I'm not afraid, I kno
w I will be defending my country, I am very anxious to go "
Awas Tawfiq, Kurdish fighter
"They have taken up arms and gone into battle to protect Kurdistan and also to s
ay that there is no difference between men and women," says Rashid.
"Many women are offering to volunteer to fight with us," he adds.
"They join us because they want to defend other women in conflict zones."
The captain Mujdat to Hameed, who conducted the training day is about to leave o
n a mission.
She is the mother of three children and says both her children and her husband a
re proud of what you are doing.
Support
One of the women in your unit is Awas Tawfiq. She is also about to leave for the
front.
Kurdish fighters
Many in Kurdistan believe that much of the region owes its security to the peshm
erga.
"I'm very happy, I've been training eight years for this," he says. "I'm not afr
aid, I know I will be defending my country, I am very anxious to go."
Mrs. Tawfiq is divorced and the mother of two teenage boys.
She spends two days a week at the military camp and the other four with their ch
ildren.
Mind you they know you are fighting for a noble cause and give a lot of support.
Many people believe the Kurdistan region much of its security efforts will be of
the Peshmerga.
The Colonel Rashid indicates that families are very supportive of the decision o
f their daughters and female relatives to join the force.
"I have a daughter, 10 years old, and when you see the videos of the attacks ISI
S on Facebook and internet tells me: 'Please, Mommy, when you go to fight in the
front, please take me with you."