Ako Abdulrahman
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Ako Abdulrahman | |
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| Native name | ئاکۆ عەبدولڕەحمان |
| Birth name | Ako Abdulrahman Abdulkarim |
| Born | 1984 (age 41–42) Taza Khurmatu, Kirkuk Governorate, Iraq |
| Allegiance |  Kurdistan Region |
| Service/ | Peshmerga |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Kirkuk (2016) |
| Awards | Honored by the Governor of Kirkuk |
Ako Abdulrahman Abdulkarim (born c. 1984)[1] is an Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga soldier. He has been the subject of media coverage for his actions during the Islamic State (ISIS) attack on Kirkuk in October 2016, during which he used a privately owned armored vehicle to evacuate approximately 70 wounded individuals during reported sniper fire.[2][3]
Early life and background
Abdulrahman is from the town of Taza Khurmatu, located south of Kirkuk.[2][3] He is married and has four children.[2]
Prior to the events of 2016, Abdulrahman purchased a 1991 BMW 750i at auction for approximately $10,000.[4][5] The vehicle was a factory-armored sedan featuring three-layer safety glass.[5] According to reporting, he acquired the vehicle for personal protection while traveling in the region.[5][6]
Military career
Abdulrahman serves as a soldier in the Peshmerga, the military forces of the Kurdistan Region.[3] During his service, he has been described in reporting as having noted limitations in the availability of armored transport for frontline operations, which preceded his later use of a privately owned vehicle during the 2016 Kirkuk events.[6][7]
On October 21, 2016, during an ISIS attack on Kirkuk, Abdulrahman was not on active duty but entered the city to assist security forces and civilians.[3][8]
According to media reports, he used his armored BMW to transport wounded individuals from areas reported to be under fire from ISIS snipers to local hospitals.[9][10] Reports indicate that the vehicle sustained multiple bullet impacts during the operation.[4][11]
Aftermath
Following the events, BMW reportedly offered Abdulrahman a replacement vehicle in exchange for his damaged BMW to be displayed in Germany.[2][4] He declined the offer.[2][4]
Abdulrahman was later received and honored by the then-Governor of Kirkuk, Najmaldin Karim, who presented him with a financial reward of 500,000 Iraqi dinars (approximately $385).[2][8] Abdulrahman reportedly noted that he was unaware the envelope contained money until after he had left the Governor's office.[2] In interviews, he stated that he did not consider himself a hero but described his actions as a response to the situation at the time.[2][3]
References
- ↑ Stern, Jeffrey E. (2017-11-07). "The Real-Life Mad Max Who Battled ISIS in a Bulletproof BMW". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Kortas, Alice (November 7, 2016). "Kurdish fighter uses bulletproof BMW to save 70 people from ISIS snipers". CNN. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Stern, Jeffrey E. (November 20, 2017). "The Real-Life Mad Max Who Battled ISIS in a Bulletproof BMW". Vanity Fair. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Ayapana, Erick (November 9, 2016). "Old Bulletproof BMW Helped Save Dozens of Lives During ISIS Attack". MotorTrend. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Hofmann, Dittmar (March 30, 2017). "Gepanzerter BMW: Der Mann, der mit einem 750i Leben rettet". Die Welt. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Iddon, Paul (July 24, 2020). "Iraqi Kurds Have To Make Do With Antiquated Armor". Forbes. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ↑ "Finding the story in the parentheses, and other adventures with Jeffrey Stern". Nieman Storyboard. February 15, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Richardson, Valerie (November 8, 2016). "ISIS snipers thwarted by Iraqi hero in bulletproof BMW". The Washington Times. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ↑ "Man Saves 70 People From ISIS Sniper Fire Using Bulletproof BMW". Good News Network. November 10, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ↑ "Iraq, salva 70 persone dai cecchini dell'Isis grazie a una Bmw blindata". la Repubblica. November 12, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ↑ "Victim saved from ISIS with BMW". Headlight Magazine. November 10, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
External links
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