With his thick beard and fearsome axe , Abu Azrael is one of the most recognisable soldiers fighting among the Iraqi forces against ISIS . Nicknamed the 'father of archangel of death ' in Arabic , Abu Azrael has become the poster boy of the Imam Ali brigade , a Iraqi Shi ' a militia group sponsored by Iran . He is believed to be a 40-year-old former university lecturer , who left his home to fight Islamic State back in June 2014 . Iraqi warrior : With his thick beard and fearsome axe , Abu Azrael is one of the most feared soldiers among the Iraqi forces fighting ISIS . Such is his fame , his fan page on social media has attracted over a quarter of a million supporters . Pictures show the bald fighter kitted out in his military fatigues , posing with his famous axe and a heavy machine gun . Other photos shows the colossal warrior carrying a large sword , fearlessly wandering through the battlefield . As well as posing with his weapons , Abu Azrael also appears to love a selfie and posting short videos of him and his friends relaxing after battle . Islamic State face a tremendous task to hold on to the Iraqi city of Tikrit and with the arrival of the Iraqi Rambo , morale is high among the Iraqi Shi ' a militias . A formidable presence : Such is his fame , his fan page on social media has attracted over a quarter of a million supporters . Well known for his sense of humour , one video shows Abu Azrael using a captured ISIS walkie-talkie to taunt and mock the depraved savages of ISIS . The fighter appears to enjoy giving an insight into his life as a soldier . Videos have been posted showing the Iraqi soldier cycling through parts of the Iraqi city of Tikrit . Another video shows the towering fighter wandering around a captured ISIS bases , taking time to cheekily steal a teapot . A multitude of stories continue to be reported about the background of Abu Azrael . Some reports even claim he was once Iraq 's national champion in Taekwondo . Determined to defend his home and country , Abu Azrael joined the Imam Ali brigade , a Iraqi Shi ' a militia heavily supported by Iran . Well known for his sense of humour , one video shows Abu Azrael using a captured ISIS walkie-talkie to taunt and mock the depraved savages of ISIS . It is possible he was motivated to join the fight after a representative of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani issued a call to arms in Friday prayers in mid June 2014 . Determined to defend his home and country , Abu Azrael joined the Imam Ali brigade , a Iraqi Shi ' a militia heavily supported by Iran . The militia has recently been fighting alongside the Iraqi army in a bid to re-capture the Iraqi city of Tikrit . With the arrival of the Iraqi Rambo , morale is high among the Iraqi Shi ' a militias , who appear confident in ridding ISIS from Iraq . Selfie lover : As well as posing with his weapons , Abu Azrael also appears to love a selfie and posting short videos of him and his friends relaxing after battle . Like a lion : Determined to defend his home and country , Abu Azrael joined the Imam Ali brigade , a Iraqi Shi ' a militia heavily supported by Iran . Mythical past : A multitude of stories continue to be reported about the background of Abu Azrael . Some reports even claim he was once Iraq 's national champion in Taekwondo .
Famed for using heavy weapons ... as well as axes and swords . Enjoys taunting ISIS fighters over airwaves using a seized walkie-talkie .