A coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi Shi'ite militias announced plans to fight alongside President Bashar al-Assad against ISIL in Syria. A spokesman on Saturday said the coalition plans to cross the border into Syria after clearing ISIL from Iraq. 

"We in Iraq, after clearing all our land from these terrorist gangs, we are fully ready to go to any place that contains a threat to Iraqi national security. Syria is definitely where terrorist groups exist, that pose the largest threat to Iraq, and we will do this through coordination between the Iraqi and the Syrian governments," said Ahmed Al-asadi, Sokesman of Popular Mobilization Forces.

Iraqi Shi'ite militia are already fighting on Assad's side in the country's civil war. The announcement by the Popular Mobilization formalizes its involvement in Syria.

The coalition is currently participating in an Iraqi government offensive to recapture the northern city of Mosul. They aim to capture villages west of Mosul and reach the town of Tal Afar, about 55 kilometers from the city. Their goal is to cut off any retreat by ISIL insurgents into neighbouring Syria, or any reinforcement reaching the militants.