A mass wedding has been held for
Shia militia fighters who are supporting the Iraqi government's battle
against Islamic State (IS) militants.
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Iraq's youth and sports ministry organised the festivities for 250 couples in the capital, Baghdad,
the privately-owned Shafaq News website reports.
After a minute's silence to remember those killed while fighting IS, a
banner was raised in the venue showing a fighter running towards his
bride, accompanied by the slogan "towards happiness". The newlyweds are
also in line for some wedding gifts - each couple will be given a
television, bedroom furniture and a fridge, according to ministry
official Akram Na'im. He says the bash was sponsored by several local
and foreign companies, including Iraq's national airline.
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The men
are members of the Popular Mobilisation Units, an umbrella group for
Shia militias fighting alongside Iraq's security forces. The grooms were
decked out in their camouflage uniforms, a point of pride for several
who spoke to Shafaq News. One groom describes getting married in his
fatigues as "beautiful", because it emphasises his dedication to
fighting IS.
The militias have played a key role in security operations against the radical Islamist group, most notably in the
battle to recapture Tikrit in March. But they have also
been accused of human rights abuses, which the militias deny.
