ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Haji Yousif, who claims to be more than 110 years old, lives an isolated life on top of a mountain near Akre in Iraqi Kurdistan with his wife. His village was abandoned during the Kurdish uprisings against the Baath regime in past decades, and he says due to his isolation he has never been issued an ID card nor had any idea a war was going on between the Islamic State and the Kurds.

“When did this battle happen? Is it happening now?!” he asked in disbelief. “It is between the Kurds and Arabs?”

An avid smoker, Haji Yousif does not have exact information about his birthdate, but claims 110 years based on his memories of having fasted for Ramadan in at least three summers. Ramadan returns to the same month every 36 years.

Isolated and alone on the mountain, he said he misses his children, who have all left. He lamented he also has no one to talk to, as all his friends have died. Still, Haji Yousif said he would never consider moving to the cities, as he believes those who do will become wealthy, something he wishes to avoid.

“Anyone who gets rich will lose their sense of humanity,” he said. “Nowadays, people have all become rich and they don't have their sense of humanity.”

For now, Haji Yousif’s plans are only to remain on his mountain and continue to grow sumac as he always has.

“This is my world,” he said when asked what made him happy.

Rudaw