Tasnim News, an outlet that is affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), has published a rare video footage of its correspondent’s account of Shiite militia operations in Iraq. In what the outlet calls “exclusive” video, the correspondent is seen accompanying fighters from Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Force) in the battle for Mosul against fighters from the Islamic State.
The 4:22 minute-long video was published on January 29. The most likely reason of the release of the footage is part of the ongoing efforts to glorify the mission and capabilities of the Iraq's Shiite militias that have very close ties to Iran’s IRGC. However, there is the possibility that the IRGC leadership has deliberately chosen this moment in time to intensify publicity efforts aimed to elevate the role of the Iraqi Shiite militia as accomplished defenders of the Iraqi nation.
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