ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas forces, an Iraqi Shiite armed faction, has reformed following a seven-year hiatus, with their aim being protecting holy Shiite sites in Syria amid the ongoing conflict, announced the group’s leader.

The announcement comes amid speculation about some Iraqi factions expressing readiness to deploy to Syria. However, Iraqi authorities have denied that any such groups have crossed the border.

Aws al-Khafaji, the secretary-general of the Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas forces, said decisions regarding war and peace “will be subject to the directives of the esteemed religious authority and leadership in Najaf, with the approval of the Iraqi government.”

Khafaji emphasized that the group’s role will focus on protecting holy sites, including the shrines of Sayyida Zaynab and Sayyidah Ruqayya in Damascus. He stated the forces will not engage in military operations outside these areas unless coordinated with the Syrian army or for providing humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people.

The Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas forces previously participated in military operations in Iraq and Syria. The group was dissolved in late 2017 after then-Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared Iraq liberated from the Islamic State (ISIS) group.

Thousands of Iraqi militiamen entered Syria in 2011, mainly Damascus, under the pretext of protecting the shrine of Sayyida Zaynab amid the Syrian civil war.

As Syrian armed factions make significant gains north of the country, capturing several areas, including the old city of Aleppo, Iraqi groups are considering a potential involvement in the conflict, accusing Israel of being behind the recent escalations aimed at destabilizing the region.

The recent upsurge in violence in Syria has so far claimed the lives of over 700 people, according to a war monitor.