Iraq deploys Hashd fighters to Syria border amid Arba'een pilgrimage

Iraq’s Hashd al-Sha’abi paramilitary forces have amassed on the country’s border with Syria after a massive Daesh attack on the other side of the border.

A Hashd al-Sha'abi commander in Iraq's western Anbar Province said he had sent reinforcements to the border after the Friday attack, Russia's RT Arabic television reported.

The Takfiri terror group posted a statement on the Telegram messaging application, saying it had attacked two villages in Syria's eastern Dayr al-Zawr Province late Friday.

The attacks reportedly killed at least 60 members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and wounded more than 100 other militants. 

Hashd al-Sha'abi commander Qassem Moslih said the SDF retreat in the face of Daesh inroads had created a “void” on the Syrian side of the border.

Iraqi authorities are wary of infiltration by terrorist groups based in Syria, especially at a time when millions of pilgrims are on the move across the country to mark Arba'een in the holy city of Karbala.    

On Saturday, the Hashd al-Sha'abi said it had downed 15 drones over Karbala for security reasons, using jamming systems which are stationed around the city.

The group asked reporters to refrain from flying unmanned aircraft during Arba’een rituals and coordinate such flights with related authorities.

SS