Dec 11, 2021
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Today, we hear the Combat Story of Firat Batman, a Swedish
citizen from Kurdish roots who spent years with the YPG and Syrian
Democratic Forces (SDF) fighting one of the most vile terrorist
groups of our time: ISIS.
[Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Loansteady LLC. A
small-by-design lender, Loansteady believes in bringing a
much-needed dose of humanity to the mortgage process. They are
waiving all lender fees for Veterans in 2021. Visit http://www.loansteady.com/combatstory to request a
rate quote or start an application. Loansteady LLC, All rights
reserved, NMLS# 1701910, (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/), Equal Housing Lender.
For more licensing information, please visit https://www.loansteady.com/licenses-and-legal.]
I found Firat when his friend, another Swede turned freedom fighter
named Mike, reached out. Mike’s introductory email sums up Firat
perfectly:
“I am writing you for a friend of mine who would never reach out
but his story is amazing. He spent years fighting ISIS in Syria
with the YPG. He is not a war tourist!! He left Sweden for Syria
after ISIS murdered his cousins and uncle in Syria.”
Firat fought alongside coalition forces on the front lines
liberating cities from ISIS control. He did this, however, with
very few resources, training, ammunition, funding, and support.
What he witnessed in terms of ISIS brutality is horrific and has
left its scars. He has an amazing story that will inspire
anyone who wonders how you can change your life and do something
about the evil things in this world.
I hope you enjoy this Combat Story as much as I did.
This is the first in a two part interview with Firat to make sure
we spend sufficient time in his multiple deployments.
Find Firat Online: Instagram @tactikurdbruh
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Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Show Notes
0:00 - Intro
1:01 - A word from our Sponsor (LoanSteady)
2:27 - Guest introduction (Firat Batman)
4:01 - Interview begins
4:35 - Early family life living in Sweden with Kurdish
background
10:03 - Being an immigrant and having family in Syria when ISIS
formed
14:34 - The personal experience that draws you into the
military
21:53 - A memorable ride to the airport to deploy
29:59 - Writing a letter to your mom in case you don’t come
back
33:56 - Arriving in Kurdistan, the land of his people, for the
first time
39:05 - Going straight to the Syrian border after just arriving in
Iraq
56:34 - Initial training experiences
1:15:13 - The first time he was told to bring his weapon and be
ready
1:21:18 – First time in contact and what it was like to see ISIS
remains
1:27:18 – Lead up to his first major operation
1:34:14 - First conflict with ISIS
1:46:33 – The carnage ISIS left behind
1:57:39 - What it was like going back home to Sweden for the first
time
2:01:40 - Listener comments and shout outs