- Title: MIDEAST-CRISIS/IRAQ-MASS WEDDING Iraqi fighters tie the knot in mass wedding
- Date: 19th June 2015
- Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (JUNE 15, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF COUPLES SEATED HASHID AL-SHAABI FIGHTERS, WAVING IRAQI FLAGS
- Embargoed: 4th July 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Iraq
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAB1H3LEO6VN0KKJBDC1WZWOSPT
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Hundreds of Hashid Shaabi fighters celebrated in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, as more than 200 fighters tied the knot at a mass wedding.
The grooms are part of the Popular Mobilisation Committee and many of them have been fighting against Islamic State in Iraq.
One of the newlyweds is paramilitary force member, Abdullah Mashaf, who said the fighters will be back on the battlefield in a matter of days.
After two days we will get back to battleground, we've responded to the call of Marjiya, the Fatwa of Sayyed Ali al-Sistani, we responded from Latifiya, Yusufiya and Banat Al Hassan all the way till we arrived to Tikrit and Baiji, we are today in Jazeera of Ramadi,'' said Mashaf.
A singer entertained the couples, as they waved Iraqi flags and draped scarves around their necks.
The event itself was set up by the paramilitary organisation, and those involved in arranging the big day, said they wanted to honour the 'heroes' fighting in Iraq.
"Mass Marriage by Hashid Shaabi and the Ministry of Sports and Youth under the supervision of Haji Abu Mahdi Mohandis, this is the least we can do to our heroes and our jihadists in Hashid Shaabi, as you know we gave a lot of martyrs, we have given a lot of wounded,'' said Hashid Shaabi spokesman, Sheikh Rayan Al Kildani.
Hashid Shaabi is made up of dozens of paramilitary groups that have united under a secretive branch of the Iraqi government. Created by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's predecessor Nuri al-Maliki, the official body now takes the lead role in many of Iraq's security operations.
Hazem Al Haidari, Deputy of Hashid Shaabi Committee, spoke of the importance to continue life as normal, despite the conflict and security concerns in the country.
"We are continuing despite all the hatred, despite all the forces that stand before us, continuing with these young men, with these die-hard fighters, proceeding our normal life, we're here marrying, fighting, writing and we are underlining the greatest epics of bravery," he said.
Iraq's U.S.-backed government is focused on two key areas in its bid to loosen the grip of Islamic State, which controls a third of major oil producer Iraq and large parts of neighbouring Syria.
As well as the battle over Baiji in the north, Iraqi government forces are hoping to oust Islamic State in Anbar, a vast western province mostly held by the insurgents.
Islamic State has threatened to march on Baghdad, a scenario that is unlikely given the large numbers of security forces and their Shi'ite militia allies in and around the capital. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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