Death of an 'Iranian Basij Member' in Iraq

Some Iranian news outlets report that 'Mahdi Norouzi', identified as a member of the 'Command Council of the Martyr Timouri-Nia Basij Base in Kermanshah', was killed while participating in what is described as 'defending the holy shrines and the people of Iraq'. Fars News Agency states that Mahdi Norouzi had previously been in Syria before heading to Iraq. Another news website, Ahlulbayt News Agency, claims he was killed 'during operations by a direct bullet' from Islamic State (ISIS) militants. A similar report by the state news network Press TV also states that he was killed in a direct armed confrontation with members of the 'Islamic State'. According to these reports, Mr. Norouzi was from Kermanshah, and his burial is scheduled for Monday, January 22, in Kermanshah itself. News of the death of Hossein Norouzi was published on January 21, with the location of his death reported as Samarra. Recently published images following the news of Mahdi Norouzi's death in Iraq show an individual whose images had previously circulated during protests against the results of the 2009 elections. Images shared on the Ahlulbayt News Agency also reprint his photos from the 2009 election protests. Two weeks prior, the public relations office of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the death of Brigadier General Hamid Taghavi, one of its commanders, while on a 'consultative mission' in Samarra, Iraq. Iranian officials have confirmed that military advisors have been sent to Iraq to assist the government in battles against Islamic State militants.