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On January 6, 2024, Sabereen News Telegram channel, which supports Iran-backed militias in Iraq, published short videos showing the recent joint military parade involving the Naval Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), in Al-Faw District, in Iraq's Basra Governorate.
The joint parade was held on January 6 to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the deaths of IRGC's Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, Iraqi PMU Deputy Leader, the founder of the Hizbullah Brigades. Both men were killed in a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad Airport on January 3, 3020.
Iranian news sources reported the joint military parade was held in Arvand River in southwestern Khuzestan province.[1]
Naval Vessels Parade Hoisting Iranian, Iraqi, Palestinian Flags
A first video shows dozens of small naval vessels and civilian boats flying the flags of Iraq, Iran, and Palestine, as well as the flags of Iraqi PMU and Iran's IRGC. A revolutionary song inciting Palestinians to persevere in their armed resistance plays in the background.[2]
Another video clip shows paragliders bearing the Iraqi and Iranian flags, as well as a photo of Soleimani, as a chant glorifying Shi'ite resistance is heard. The chant vows to avenge slain "commanders."[3]
PMU Speakers Honored Slain Leaders
The Al-Kornet Al-Kata'ibi Telegram channel, which supports Iran-backed militias in Iraq, shared a photo of an assembly held in Al-Faw port area, attended by PMU leaders and local chieftains and dignitaries, who delivered speeches on the occasion.[4]
Also displayed during the event were photos of Soleimani, Al-Muhandis, and Abu Taqwa Al-Si'idi, the assistant commander of PMU's Baghdad Belt Operations and commander in the Iran-backed Al-Nujaba' Movement militia who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in eastern Baghdad on January 4, 2023.[5]
[1] January 6, 2024.
[2] Telegram, January 6, 2024.
[3] Telegram, January 6, 2024.
[4] Telegram, January 6, 2024.
[5] See MEMRI JTTM report: Following U.S. Strike Targeting Popular Mobilization Units Commander, Iraqi PM Media Office Says Attack Undermines Existing Understandings With Coalition Forces; Al-Nujaba Movement Leader Vows Revenge, Iraqi Deputy Calls For Expulsion Of U.S. Ambassador To Iraq, January 4, 2024.
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