This man is fighting Daesh (ISIS), raising five children, and still manages to create a following online. But is he really a hero?
Ayyub Faleh al-Rubaie, also known as "Abu Azrael" — "Father of the Archangel of Death" — is a member of a Shia militia helping government forces battle the militants in Iraq. He's gained nearly 400,000 "likes" on his Facebook page with his ruthlessness and sense of humor. He's also an Iranian trained in special forces, according to the BBC.
Iran's presence in Iraq has been questionable at best and, for some, alarming. US Army Gen. David Petraeus, who commanded troops in Iraq, told Washington Post the country's biggest problem isn't Daesh but Shiite militias backed by Iran.
The man behind what BBC has referred to as Iran's "propaganda machine" carries an axe, a sword and an assault rifle and told AFP he battled US forces during the invasion in Iraq. State TV in Iraq reported that he used to be a PE teacher, but BBC's sources said he's a highly trained veteran.
"You see me go to school to drop off my children and I am peaceful. But I show another face to them (Daesh)," Abu Azrael told his fans on social media.
He's become the face behind his militia, which has used photos and videos of him for publicity.
