With his thick beard and fearsome axe, Abu Azrael is one of the most recognisable soldiers fighting among the Iraqi forces against ISIS.
Nicknamed the ‘father of archangel of death’ in Arabic, Abu Azrael has become the poster boy of the Imam Ali brigade, a Iraqi Shi’a militia group sponsored by Iran.
He is believed to be a 40-year-old former university lecturer, who left his home to fight Islamic State back in June 2014.
Such is his fame, his fan page on social media has attracted over a quarter of a million supporters.
Pictures show the bald fighter kitted out in his military fatigues, posing with his famous axe and a heavy machine gun.
Other photos shows the colossal warrior carrying a large sword, fearlessly wandering through the battlefield.
As well as posing with his weapons, Abu Azrael also appears to love a selfie and posting short videos of him and his friends relaxing after battle.
Well known for his sense of humour, one video shows Abu Azrael using a captured ISIS walkie-talkie to taunt and mock the depraved savages of ISIS.
The fighter appears to enjoy giving an insight into his life as a soldier. Videos have been posted showing the Iraqi soldier cycling through parts of the Iraqi city of Tikrit.
Another video shows the towering fighter wandering around a captured ISIS bases, taking time to cheekily steal a teapot.
A multitude of stories continue to be reported about the background of Abu Azrael. Some reports even claim he was once Iraq’s national champion in Taekwondo.
