Iranian commanders played crucial role fighting IS: Iraqi officials

Iranian military commanders have played a crucial role in driving back Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq, according to Shiite militia leaders and Iraqi security officials.

Iran’s presence in Iraq has been a source of contention for many, particularly over fears that the majority Shiite country is helping to stoke sectarianism in the region.

However, Shiite militia leaders in Iraq have in particular lauded the officials for their military intelligence and prowess.

"When they [Iranian advisers] were there in the field, no one stands in our face and magically everything was available, the ammunition, the [intelligence] information, the smooth coordination with the military units and other [Shia] factions and the air force backup," Abu Sajad al-Saadi, a commander of the Abu al-Fadhil al-Abbas Brigade told Al-Jazeera.

"They were not fighting but organising our efforts," Saadi added. "Without them, every group [Shiite militia] was working alone and none of them were responding to the Iraqi military commanders, but if they [the Iranian advisers] are there, all sides were responding without any problems or complaints."

Qassem Suleimani, head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, has been a ubiquitous presence in Iraq, cited by many as the man who stopped the country falling into the hands of IS.

A Kurdish source quoted in the Guardian in June stated that “Suleimani designed the defence ring around Baghdad, that is what is more important and unannounced about Iran’s role in Iraq and against Daesh (IS),” he said.

It was estimated in June that there were around a dozen Iranian military advisors in Iraq.

Last week, in a televised interview, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi confirmed the presence of the advisors.

"We have American advisers in Iraq ... and I do not hide that we have Iranian advisers too," he said.

"There are Iranian advisers and several of them as well as the American advisers ... started showing up in several military camps to help our troops ... but there are no Iranian fighters, no [Iranian] Revolutionary Guards, no Iranian soldiers and no Basij [forces]," Abbadi said.

On Saturday, Britain also announced that it would be sending hundreds more troops to Iraq, to help fight IS, despite fears about “mission creep.”

Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon said that the troops would be used to help train local forces battling IS.

Though Iranian troops are not officially operating in Iraq, a crucial facet of its support for the country has also been the presence of proxy militias.

The Badr Organisation, Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib Huzballa are three prominent militias operating in Iraq which all receive funding from the Tehran.

"Iranians are not directly communicating with the Shiite factions except the factions that already are connected to them, like Badr, Asaib and Kataib," a senior Shiite militia commander told Al-Jazeera on condition of anonymity.

"Many [Shiite] factions are looking to communicate with them, but they have refused."