After a lightning-fast summer assault by ISIS that saw most of Iraq fall into their hands, the country's military is now fighting back and has won a string of symbolic victories. But while Iraq's leaders insist it is their army on the offensive, in reality the victories are being won by a powerful Iranian general - the 'fearless' Ghasem Soleimani. Refusing to wear a bullet-proof vest on the front lines, and with his motto 'death is the beginning of life, not the end', he has inspired Iraqi troops to victory where the government has failed. 'Fearless': While the Iraqi military has claimed a series of victories against ISIS in recent weeks, sources have attributed them to the Iranian general Ghasem Soleimani (pictured) who is said to be leading attacks
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Ghasem Soleimani has been leading troops in Iraq to victories against ISIS
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Fights alongside Iranian Revolutionary Guard and troops from Hezbollah
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Also joined by Shiite militias as they drive Islamic State away from Baghdad
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But presence of Shiite troops is causing concern among Sunni villagers
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Accused of killing civilians as threat of new waves of violence grows
They said the men provided weapons training to some 7,000 @placeholder troops and militia fighters and coordinated with military commanders ahead of the operation.