Mahmoud Ezidi
Hashim Ilyas Silo (Kurdish: Haşim Îlyas Silo; 1944 – 18 August 1979, known as Mahmoud Ezidi, was a famous Yazidi Peshmerga fighter loyal to Kurdistan Democratic Party, who led many successful military confrontations against the regime of Ba'athist Iraq.
Mahmoud Ezidi | |
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Statue of Mahmoud Ezidi in Shekhan, erected in his honour at the intersection of Shekhan in 2011 | |
| Born | Hashem Ilyas Silo 1944 |
| Died | 18 August 1979 (aged 34-35) Rudniya village, Amedi District |
| Burial place | Lalish |
| Occupation | Peshmerga fighter |
| Years active | 1962-1974 (Iraqi Army), 1974-1979 (Peshmerga) |
| Political party | Kurdistan Democratic Party (1963-1979) |
| Opponent | Ba'athist Iraq |
Prior to becoming a Peshmerga fighter in 1974, he had been conscripted in the Iraqi army at the age of 18, later becoming promoted to deputy officer due to his commitment to fulfilling his military duties and performing well in training. He secretly joined Kurdistan Democratic Party in 1963 and was a member from then on. In 1970, after the Iraqi–Kurdish Autonomy Agreement, Mahmoud Ezidi revealed his allegiance with KDP, started being openly engaged and also established direct relations with other party cadres. In 1974, after the collapse of the 1970 Iraqi-Kurdish Autonomy Agreement and due to persecution by the Iraqi regime, Mahmoud Ezidi joined the Kurdish struggle and started serving in the rebel Peshmerga forces.