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.