An Iraqi security source tells CNN that over the last few weeks nearly 5,000 fighters from Iranian-backed paramilitary groups in Iraq entered Iran via two separate border crossings in Southern Iraq: the Shaib Border Crossing in the Maysan Province and the Zurbatiya Border Crossing in Wasit Province, in order to assist with the ongoing crackdown against anti-government protests in Tehran and other parts of Iran.
A European military source also confirmed that 800 Shiite militia fighters had crossed from the Iraqi Provinces of Diyala, Maysan and Basra, to help with the Iranian crackdown, with the fighters belonging to armed groups loyal to Tehran – like Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada and the Badr Organization, organized under the umbrella organization known as the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) Jan 16, 2026
The post An Iraqi security source tells CNN that over the last few weeks nearly 5,000 fighters from Iranian-backed paramilitary groups in Iraq entered Iran via two separate border crossings in Southern Iraq: the Shaib Border Crossing in the Maysan Province and the Zurbatiya Border Crossing in Wasit Province, in order to assist with the ongoing crackdown against anti-government protests in Tehran and other parts of Iran. A European military source also confirmed that 800 Shiite militia fighters had crossed from the Iraqi Provinces of Diyala, Maysan and Basra, to help with the Iranian crackdown, with the fighters belonging to armed groups loyal to Tehran – like Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nu first appeared on October Surprise 2016 – octobersurprise2016.org.
