Early Life and Family Background
Bawar Faris Hamad Bawa was born on July 10, 1972, in Erbil, Kurdistan, a location closely connected to the Kurdish battle for freedom. Malaqara village, located in Makhmur district’s Kandena plain, is well-known for its historical significance and participation in Kurdish resistance. Faris Bawa, Bawar’s father, was the commander of the Erbil Plain Force, a position of significant responsibility and influence within the Kurdish Peshmerga forces. This position impacted Bawar’s boyhood and instilled in him a strong feeling of loyalty to his people and nation.
The Impact of the Kurdish Struggle
Bawar was born amid a critical period in Kurdish history, only two years after the March 11 Agreement, which stopped hostilities between Kurdish forces and the Iraqi government. However, the truce was tenuous, and Bawar’s early years were characterized by the region’s uncertainty and volatility. His family’s engagement in the Kurdish fight exposed him to the reality of battle from an early age. The Erbil Plain Force, under his father’s direction, frequently served as a de facto Kurdish administration, delivering safety and justice in areas overlooked by the Iraqi government.
Displacement and Exile
When the March 11 Agreement was unexpectedly abrogated in 1975, Kurdish troops found themselves in battle with the Iraqi government once more. The intensified violence compelled many Kurdish families, including Bawar’s, to escape to Iran. The fall of the Kurdish revolution in 1975 resulted in massive dispersion, with Bawar’s family among those seeking safety in Iran.
In 1978, the family returned to South Kurdistan, settling in Erbil. However, their homecoming was not without complications. On December 19, 1978, the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council released an order pardoning Kurdish combatants, including Faris Bawa. Despite this, the Iraqi authorities remained wary of Bawar’s father, thinking that he might revive the Kurdish rebellion. As a result, the family was placed under intense observation in Baghdad, with their movements severely limited.
Life in Baghdad
The Bawa family was given a huge residence in Baghdad but was constantly monitored by government operatives. Bawar’s father was frequently summoned by the authorities, and the family was concerned that he would not come home. The repressive climate in Baghdad had a lasting impact on young Bawar, who saw firsthand how far the Iraqi government would go to stifle Kurdish ambitions.
Escape to Europe
Bawar’s father obtained permission to travel overseas for medical treatment in order to escape Iraq’s repressive atmosphere. However, this was a hoax, and the family took advantage of the chance to depart the country. The Bawa family fled Baghdad for Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, where they originally sought asylum. However, the threat posed by Iraqi intelligence operatives, who were aware of the family’s escape, compelled them to relocate regularly.
Eventually, the family relocated in Sweden, where they received political asylum. Recognizing the family’s predicament and involvement in the Kurdish resistance, the Swedish government offered them a safe harbor. Bawar’s life changed dramatically in Sweden, where he first felt a feeling of normalcy. The family was able to reconstruct their life, and Bawar and his siblings began attending school and studying Swedish.
Education and Life in Sweden
In Sweden, Bawar resumed his schooling, concentrating on business courses. The stability and possibilities in Sweden enabled him to hone his talents and knowledge, preparing him for the challenges ahead. Despite his exile from Kurdistan, Bawar maintained a strong connection to his birthplace and actively monitored regional happenings.
During this period, Bawar’s father taught his children the value of preserving Kurdish culture and identity. The family attended Kurdish rallies and demonstrations to advocate for Kurdish rights and raise awareness of the Iraqi government’s atrocities, notably during the Anfal campaign and the chemical assault on Halabja.
Education and Life in Sweden
In Sweden, Bawar resumed his schooling, concentrating on business courses. The stability and possibilities in Sweden enabled him to hone his talents and knowledge, preparing him for the challenges ahead. Despite his exile from Kurdistan, Bawar maintained a strong connection to his birthplace and actively monitored regional happenings.
During this period, Bawar’s father taught his children the value of preserving Kurdish culture and identity. The family attended Kurdish rallies and demonstrations to advocate for Kurdish rights and raise awareness of the Iraqi government’s atrocities, notably during the Anfal campaign and the chemical assault on Halabja.
Return to Kurdistan
The 1991 Kurdistan revolt, which resulted in the liberation of several Kurdish cities and towns, was a watershed moment for Bawar. The rebellion renewed his ambition to return to his birthplace and help rebuild it. Unfortunately, the same year, Bawar’s sister, Khaja Bawa, was killed during the Erbil rebellion. Her death deeply saddened Bawar and increased his determination to serve his people.
After Kurdistan was freed, Bawar and his family returned to their country in 1991, first residing in Shaqlawa because Erbil had not been totally liberated. His return to Kurdistan signaled the start of a new chapter in his life, one that would see him play important positions in both the governmental and commercial sectors.
Career and Contributions to Kurdistan
Bawar moved to Erbil permanently in 1999 and started working for the Kurdistan Democratic Party. His financial acumen and leadership abilities rapidly became obvious, prompting his participation in a variety of programs aimed at reconstructing the region’s infrastructure and economy.
Following the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship in 2003, Bawar became a key security consultant and operations decision-maker for the Republican Research Triangle Institute’s Democratic Dialogue Activities program. His security and logistical experience helped to stabilize the region during this critical era.
In 2009, Bawar and his partners, including Hawre Lagar, founded a security and logistics consultancy firm. The corporation collaborated with the Peshmerga, security forces, and police to ensure the Kurdistan Region’s safety and security. Bawar’s leadership in this field gained him the respect and trust of his colleagues and the larger community.
Political Involvement and Leadership
Bawar’s services to the security and prosperity of Kurdistan were not overlooked. President Masoud Barzani assigned him to the General Social Bureau, where he has continued to serve with distinction. In this capacity, Bawar has been active in a variety of social and political activities aiming at improving the lives of Kurdish citizens.
His loyalty to the Kurdish cause, as well as his commitment to serve his people, have earned him recognition throughout Kurdistan. Bawar is fluent in English, Swedish, and Persian, making him well-suited to connect with international stakeholders and promote Kurdish concerns on a worldwide scale.
Family and Legacy
Bawar hails from a family that is passionately loyal to the Kurdish cause. His father, Faris Bawa, was a close friend and ally of the late Mustafa Barzani, the Kurdish national movement’s leader. The close bond between the Bawa and Barzani families has been a source of strength and inspiration to Bawar.
The Bawar family has a long history of making sacrifices for the Kurdish cause. His sister, Khaja Bawa, was a valiant Peshmerga soldier who was killed in the 1991 revolt. His brothers, Naif, Karim, and Hogar, have all fought as Peshmerga soldiers, with Hogar presently commanding the Peshmerga troops. Dr. Tawana Fars, Bawar’s younger brother, is likewise involved in helping the Kurdish people.
Bawar’s dedication to his family and community is unshakeable. He continues to strive for Kurdistan’s prosperity, welfare, security, and development, with an emphasis on generating opportunities for young people. He thinks that the future of Kurdistan is in the hands of the younger generations and is committed to empowering them via education and jobs.