BAGHDAD, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Falih al-Fayyadh, chairman of Iraq's Hashd Shaabi Forces, denied Monday that his paramilitary group operates outside Iraq, dismissing reports of deploying fighters to Syria.
Speaking on state-owned al-Iraqiya channel, al-Fayyadh insisted that the Hashd Shaabi forces -- also known as Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) -- are an official Iraqi force under the command of the country's military leadership. "The Hashd Shaabi Forces do not operate outside Iraq," he stated, refuting media reports of militia movements into Syria.
Earlier in the day, Reuters cited Syrian military sources reporting that PMF soldiers had entered Syria overnight, moving towards northern regions to support Syrian army operations against insurgents.
Soldiers from the PMF had fought alongside President Bashar al-Assad's government in previous conflicts in Syria. Iran's network of regional militias has been helping Assad's forces since the uprising against his regime began in 2011.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently reaffirmed Syria's military capabilities, adding that "resistance groups will help" and that Tehran would provide necessary support.
A significant rebel offensive on Wednesday targeted the western countryside of Aleppo province, marking the first major assault since 2016. The attack, primarily led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, aimed to penetrate government-held territories.
In response, the Syrian army announced intensified operations in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, claiming to have eliminated over 400 militants in the past 24 hours with Russian support. ■
