![An Iraqi Shiite fighter of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force stands guard at a border position in al-Qaim in Iraq's Anbar province, opposite Albu Kamal in Syria's Deir Ezzor region on November 12, 2018. Iraqi troops have reinforced their positions along the porous frontier with neighbouring war-torn Syria, fearing a spillover from clashes there between Islamic State group jihadists and US-backed forces. The Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) auxiliary force was created by the Iraqi government in 2014, after a call to jihad by the spiritual leader of the Shiite community, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani to help in the fight against IS in Iraq. / AFP / AHMAD AL-RUBAYE](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JIPXB6TGRPVE2DLPR6UNITTQ6I.jpg?smart=true&auth=68ad1312308acf53dfe572ea6643a6129ab5af7a738a87d88066c8960ca6be65&width=400&height=225)
An Iraqi Shiite paramilitary fighter at a border position in Iraq's Anbar province, not far from Albu Kamal in Syria. AFP
An Iraqi Shiite paramilitary fighter at a border position in Iraq's Anbar province, not far from Albu Kamal in Syria. AFP
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