Who is sending Iraqi fighters to Syria?
Mystery continues to surround the flow of Iraqi Shiite fighters combating the Islamic State in Syria alongside the Syrian regime, while the Popular Mobilization Units denies involvement.
BAGHDAD — Abdullah Hamrani (a pseudonym) stood among his friends in Baghdad, filling them in on his experiences fighting in armed Iraqi Shiite factions, such as the Hezbollah al-Nujaba movement in Syria against the Islamic State (IS) and Jabhat al-Nusra.
Speaking like a preacher, Hamrani gave hope to his friends who gathered to hear the latest developments in the ongoing battles in Syria since November, especially in Damascus and Aleppo. Hamrani proudly told them Shiite factions are progressing very quickly and will soon defeat their enemies. He also stressed that the sacred religious shrines in Syria are now safe from any jihadi organization's attacks.
Iraq's constitution prohibits interfering in other countries' internal affairs. Iraq has denied any official involvement in sending fighters to Syria.
Al-Monitor met with Hamrani in Baghdad and asked him how he made his way to Syria, how he spent his days there and what difficulties he faced.
