General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC's) Quds Force, and architect of its regional security apparatus, has been killed following a US air raid at Baghdad's international airport on Friday.
The White House and the Pentagon confirmed the killing of Soleimani in Iraq, saying the attack was carried out at the direction of US President Donald Trump and was aimed at deterring future attacks allegedly being planned by Iran.
[...]
Iraqi officials and the state television reported that aside from Soleimani, Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed in the pre-dawn raid.
Iran's IRGC as well as Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) umbrella grouping of Iran-backed militias, also confirmed the deaths of Soleimani and al-Muhandis.
[...]
Sources from the PMF earlier told Al Jazeera that the rockets destroyed two vehicles carrying "high-profile guests", who had arrived at the Baghdad airport and were being escorted by militia members. Earlier reports said five other people were killed in the raid.
Al Jazeera's Osama Bin Javaid, reporting from Baghdad, said the deaths are a significant turning point in Iraq and the entire Middle East.
He said the region has already been "on edge" since the US attack on PMF forces near Iraq's border with Syria, and the protests at the US Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday.
"This is a major blow on the relationship between the United States and the Iraqi government," bin Javaid said. "It is a very precarious situation in which this significant development is taking place."
[...]
Hillary Mann Leverett, a former White House National Security official, said the US killing of Soleimani is a "declaration of war" on Iran.
"Americans throughout the region need to be on guard. We are now in an incredibly dangerous situation. It is an incredibly dangerous course that we are on," Leverett told Al Jazeera.
Killing Soleimani is equivalent to the Iranians "assassinating" the US defence secretary, or the commander of the US Central Command, she added.
"The president has taken this decision without debate in Congress, without any Congressional authority, it is probably an illegal act within the US domestic context."
Re: US Assassinates Head of Iran`s Revolutionary Guard
Iraq braces for 'difficult days' after Soleimani's killing
Iraq is poised for a period of uncertainty as top Shia leaders warned of repercussions following the killing of top Iran general Qassem Soleimani by a United States air strike in Baghdad on Friday.
Iraqi protesters have also called on Tehran and Washington to take their battle elsewhere after Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) Quds Force and mastermind of its regional influence, was killed along with Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
"Iraq is bracing for some of the most difficult days," Baghdad-based analyst Jassim Moussavi told Al Jazeera.
"We expect the announcement of war at any moment. If Iran decides to confront the US, Iraq will be the scene for that battle. Several Shia paramilitary forces have started to prepare themselves for ground zero."
[...]
'Take your battle elsewhere'
There were small celebrations by Iraqi protesters in Tahrir Square, the hub of the protest movement in the capital Baghdad, before the call for restraint was reiterated.
"We condemn the spilling of Iraqi blood regardless of who is behind this attack, but we equally reject the struggle between Iran and US from taking place on Iraqi soil," 33-year-old protester Borhan told Al Jazeera.
[...]
Later on Friday, tens of university students gathered in Tahrir Square to renounce any foriegn intervention in Iraq.
"We reject the idea of making Iraq the scene of a US-Iran war," 24-year-old student Haydar Farazdak told Al Jazeera.
"The Hashd and the US can take their battle elsehwere," he added.
Re: US Assassinates Head of Iran`s Revolutionary Guard
I thought I'd weigh in carefully before commenting on this one. I've (foolishly) been supportive of Trump before, much to my deep regret.
Admittedly, Soleimani was no saint (at least from a Western point of view), and more to the point, a proxy Iranian group had just attacked the US embassy, rather ineffectually but still noticably. Iran's been engaging in various forms of asymmetrical semi warfare for about half a year, but Trump tore up a decent nuclear accord simply out of childish spite and "I hate Obama".
I don't think this has anything to do with protecting American interests in the middle east. I think it revolves around one thing - Trump's impeachment and re-election.
There is a frightening strain of Christian fundamentalist out there that is essentially willing to resort to any level of warfare to regain cultural dominance in the US. Their day has honestly come, and gone, and the 1950's is long dead. What is upsetting is that they don't seem to care, and that many of them would rather burn the world down than admit they were wrong, and their ideology is bankrupt.
Re: US Assassinates Head of Iran`s Revolutionary Guard
Syrians in Idlib celebrate Qassem Soleimani's death with sweets and cakes
Displaced Syrians, who were once forced to eat cats and shrubs while under siege, rejoice their foe's demise by handing out Arab sweets and delicacies
Thousands of Syrians, forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in Idlib - the last rebel-held stronghold in the country, have celebrated the death Qassem Soleimani with sweets and cakes.
Late on Thursday, American air strikes killed Soleimani, the commander of Iran's secretive Quds Force, and seven of his associates.
[...]
Several displaced Syrians told Middle East Eye that they were celebrating because under Soleimani's instruction, pro-Syrian government forces besieged a number of rebel-held towns and cities, starving them into capitulation.
"We ate cats during the siege and residents gave up their cars in exchange for a couple kilogrammes of rice," said Burhan, a civilian who fled the city of Zabadani in the Damascus countryside to Idlib.
"Many died of starvation because of Soleimani and his militia."
Muhannad al-Yamani, a displaced Syrian told MEE, that he was "thrilled" when news broke of Soleimani's death.
"We were pleased because he is one of the main reasons behind the displacement of many Syrians, especially those from Aleppo. He led operations against the free people of Syria in many cities. In Idlib, Aleppo, Homs and even Damascus. He had a big role in the killing of children and women and the displacement of many. God has punished him."
[...]
"Today we woke up to the news of Qassem Soleimani's death and we thank God for that," said Mohammed Qetaz.
"Hopefully when we wake up tomorrow we will hear similar news on Hassan [Nasrallah], Bashar al-Assad and the [Vladimir] Putin."
The war in Syria, now approaching its ninth year, has devastated much of the country. An estimated half a million people have been killed and millions have been forced to live as refugees.
Re: US Assassinates Head of Iran`s Revolutionary Guard
format_quote Originally Posted by Delphi
I thought I'd weigh in carefully before commenting on this one. I've (foolishly) been supportive of Trump before, much to my deep regret.
Admittedly, Soleimani was no saint (at least from a Western point of view), and more to the point, a proxy Iranian group had just attacked the US embassy, rather ineffectually but still noticably. Iran's been engaging in various forms of asymmetrical semi warfare for about half a year, but Trump tore up a decent nuclear accord simply out of childish spite and "I hate Obama".
I don't think this has anything to do with protecting American interests in the middle east. I think it revolves around one thing - Trump's impeachment and re-election.
There is a frightening strain of Christian fundamentalist out there that is essentially willing to resort to any level of warfare to regain cultural dominance in the US. Their day has honestly come, and gone, and the 1950's is long dead. What is upsetting is that they don't seem to care, and that many of them would rather burn the world down than admit they were wrong, and their ideology is bankrupt.
this doesn't have that much to do with Christian fundamentalism, but it has everything to do with Zionism and US-Israeli relations. While there are some neocons out there who call themselves Christians, and who want to go invade Iran, the vast majority of the American public wants absolutely no part in any of this. One of the reasons Trump was elected was to get the country out of the Middle East. He has broken that promise
Meanwhile, Iran is playing a very dangerous game with the proxy wars, extra-territorial military efforts, and shadow operations. There are Iranians who openly proclaim that they are going to seize control of the Middle-East, and this is flat-out insane. The Iranian regime continues to become a bigger problem every day, and I have traditionally been pretty sympathetic or indifferent towards them.
they are now putting their people and nation in grave danger through antagonizing not only the US, but their neighbors.
Re: US Assassinates Head of Iran`s Revolutionary Guard
format_quote Originally Posted by Silas
this doesn't have that much to do with Christian fundamentalism, but it has everything to do with Zionism and US-Israeli relations. While there are some neocons out there who call themselves Christians, and who want to go invade Iran, the vast majority of the American public wants absolutely no part in any of this. One of the reasons Trump was elected was to get the country out of the Middle East. He has broken that promise
Meanwhile, Iran is playing a very dangerous game with the proxy wars, extra-territorial military efforts, and shadow operations. There are Iranians who openly proclaim that they are going to seize control of the Middle-East, and this is flat-out insane. The Iranian regime continues to become a bigger problem every day, and I have traditionally been pretty sympathetic or indifferent towards them.
they are now putting their people and nation in grave danger through antagonizing not only the US, but their neighbors.
All of this has to stop
I don't think it's insane at all. The best thing for peace in the middle East would be to divide it between Turkey and Iran. Arabs have proven completely disastrous when ruling themselves.
The House of Saud will have to fall for the greater good, and it was a good thing Iran was doing by shoring up the Houthis to destabilize KSA. Those plans will have taken a hit.
Re: US Assassinates Head of Iran`s Revolutionary Guard
It's unfortunate for Iran, but he was dumb for going straight to Iraq, a wanted man who has been target of assassinations for 20 years. Should have sent lower level personnel to Iraq and coordinated from Iran. Hopefully, they'll learn from this and keep their cards to themselves next time.
Worst thing Iran can do is to be reactionary, the long-term plan to remove the Saudis from power has to be followed.
Re: US Assassinates Head of Iran`s Revolutionary Guard
format_quote Originally Posted by Logikon
Why was he in Baghdad in the first place? He was there of course as part of the long term plan so Iran could take over Iraq!
format_quote Originally Posted by CuriousonTruth
It's unfortunate for Iran, but he was dumb for going straight to Iraq, a wanted man who has been target of assassinations for 20 years. Should have sent lower level personnel to Iraq and coordinated from Iran. Hopefully, they'll learn from this and keep their cards to themselves next time.
Worst thing Iran can do is to be reactionary, the long-term plan to remove the Saudis from power has to be followed.
a bad analogy is that there are 3 types of people..
1 who thinks the world revolves around him.
1 who thinks the world revolves around allah swt's judgement of him.
and 1 who is ignorant.
this is not a true analogy, but otherwise we could talk about the question forever.
and tomorrow the story may be woven and told, of bravery or strength or love or miracles..
and it may stir the heart into forgetting, the rules have always been the same.
we cant pretend to be things..
we can only learn and grow.
i dont think war is the way forward, the struggle for survival and growth...stability and friendship is that which will change options.
the greater jihad and the lesser jihad.
...i may be wrong though.
but yeah, i fear the wrath of allah swt in whichever way it manifests.
Re: US Assassinates Head of Iran`s Revolutionary Guard
Iraqi parliament calls for expulsion of foreign troops
Iraq's parliament has passed a resolution calling on the government to expel foreign troops from the country as Iran-US tensions escalate on Iraqi soil following the killing of Iranian military commander and Iraqi armed group leader in a US strike in Baghdad.
In an extraordinary parliamentary session on Sunday, parliament called on the government to end all foreign troop presence in Iraq and to cancel its request for assistance from the US-led coalition which had been working with Baghdad to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
"The government commits to revoke its request for assistance from the international coalition fighting Islamic State due to the end of military operations in Iraq and the achievement of victory," the resolution read.
"The Iraqi government must work to end the presence of any foreign troops on Iraqi soil and prohibit them from using its land, airspace or water for any reason."
[...]
Around 5,000 US troops remain in Iraq, most of them in an advisory capacity. Most US troops fought alongside Iran-backed Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Forces or PMF) during 2014 - 2017 against Islamic State group.
Baghdad-based analyst Tareq Harb told Al Jazeera that Abdul Mahdi's call to expel US troops in Iraq was in anticipation of a strong reaction from the mostly pro-Iran armed and political groups which have demanded such a move.
[...]
But commenting on the resolution, Iraq Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said the move fell short of an appropriate response to recent development in Iraq and called on foreign armed groups to unite.
"I consider this a weak response insufficient against American violation of Iraqi sovereignty and regional escalation," Sadr who leads the Sairoon bloc, the largest parliament, said in a letter to the assembly read out by a supporter
Sadr listed a number of demands including the immediate cancellation of the security agreement with the US, the closure of the US embassy, the expulsion of US troops in a "humiliating manner", and criminalising communication with the US government.
Re: US Assassinates Head of Iran`s Revolutionary Guard
US-led coalition halts MOST operations, focuses on own forces’ protection in wake of Iranian general’s killing
The US-led coalition has announced it will put most of its operations on hold and focus on ensuring the security of its troops as tensions in the Middle East skyrocket after the death of Iran’s top general at the hands of the US.
The coalition will from now on devote most of its efforts to protecting its troops and bases, a coalition spokesman told journalists, adding that most operations against militant groups have been put on hold. He added, however, that the coalition forces could still carry out some military operations and would act in self-defense should they come under attack.
Earlier, the US-led coalition also officially announced it is suspending all training operations in Iraq.
The move comes after certain members of the coalition formed to battle Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) put their military missions in Iraq on pause as the country reels from the assassination of the commander of Iran’s Quds Force, Major General Qassem Soleimani, on orders from Washington.
Germany, Sweden, and Denmark were among those taking precautionary measures as thousands of people hit the streets of Iraqi cities to mourn the slain general, while Tehran vowed to avenge his death.
Re: US Assassinates Head of Iran`s Revolutionary Guard
Soleimani assassination has opened new phase for whole Middle East region – Hezbollah leader
The assassination of Qassem Soleimani has opened a new phase for the whole region, the leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, has said, calling for attacks on US soldiers and military assets.
icon fm
The assassination of Qassem Soleimani has opened a new phase for the whole region, the leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, has said, calling for attacks on US soldiers and military assets....
Re: US Assassinates Head of Iran`s Revolutionary Guard
Barking Dogs Seldom Bite?
Iran believed to have deliberately evaded US forces in missile attack
Iran is believed to have deliberately sought to avoid US military casualties, according to US and European government sources familiar with intelligence assessments.
The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Iranians were thought to have targeted the attacks to miss US forces to prevent the crisis from escalating out of control while still sending a message of Iranian resolve.
A source in Washington said overnight that early indications were of no US casualties, while other US officials declined comment.
‘Martyrs’: Iraqi Consulate In Detroit Holding Memorial For Terrorist Soleimani
In this picture taken on September 14, 2013, the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, is seen as people pay their condolences following the death of his mother in Tehran. (MEHDI GHASEMI/ISNA/AFP via Getty Images)
SHELBY TALCOTT
MEDIA REPORTER
January 06, 2020
10:52 PM ET
The Iraqi Consulate in Detroit, Michigan will reportedly be hosting a two-day memorial event for dead Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani, according to its Facebook page Sunday.
“The Consulate General of the Republic of Iraq in Detroit announces the opening of a register of condolences to the lives of the martyrs who have fallen as a result of the recent American raids in Iraq,” the post reads, adding that the event will take place Jan. 7-8.
The Facebook post received backlash in its comments section.
The Iraqi Consulate in Detroit’s announcement comes after Soleimani was killed on Jan. 2 during airstrikes authorized by President Donald Trump. Soleimani was “actively developing plans” to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq, according to the Pentagon.
The FBI is reportedly aware of the upcoming event, according to the Detroit Free Press (RELATED: Pompeo Says People ‘Should Ask Mr. Soleimani’ If Trump Is Vulnerable Over Impeachment)
“We are aware of events scheduled – both locally and nationally – in response to recent overseas incidents,” Special Agent Mara R. Schneider said according to the outlet. “While there is no specific and credible threat to this area at this time, we urge the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.”
Soleimani was the leader of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, which is a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization.
“General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more,” the U.S. Department of Defense said in a previous statement.
“He had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months – including the attack on December 27th – culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel. General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad [Iraq] that took place this week,” the statement added.
The memorial will also be hosted for Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the former leader of the militia group Kataib Hezbollah, according to the National Review. Al-Muhandis reportedly attended the attack on thw U.S. embassy in Baghdad that began Dec. 31.
Militiamen linked to Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units attacked the U.S. embassy in Baghdad for two days at the end of December. There were no reported injuries or death, but the group did extensive damage to the embassy walls, lighting fires and breaking windows before withdrawing from the area.
Soleimani was reportedly a part of organizing this attack. His former group, the Quds Force, have provided support to terrorist groups for years.
The Embassy of the Republic of Iraq did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller.
Re: US Assassinates Head of Iran`s Revolutionary Guard
Salaam
More analysis.
Blurb
It’s the type of spark that ignites a major conflict; on Thursday night, President Donald Trump ordered a drone strike at Baghdad Airport, which claimed the life of Major General Qasem Soleimani - a man widely considered as Iran’s most powerful and unconstrained military commander.
The 62-year-old general spearheaded Iranian covert operations in the Middle East and was instrumental in a range of efforts that ran counter to US interests. In short, Soleimani was a consequential person and his death exacerbates the already tense standoff between Iran and the United States. The question now is when, where, and at what scale will the Iranians retaliate?
Re: US Assassinates Head of Iran`s Revolutionary Guard
Informants in Iraq, Syria helped US kill Iran's Soleimani: report
Iranian General Qassem Soleimani arrived at the Damascus airport in a vehicle with dark-tinted glass. Four soldiers from Iran's Revolutionary Guards rode with him. They parked near a staircase leading to a Cham Wings Airbus A320, destined for Baghdad.
Neither Soleimani nor the soldiers were registered on the passenger manifesto, according to a Cham Wings airline employee who described the scene of their departure from the Syrian capital to Reuters.
Soleimani avoided using his private plane because of rising concerns about his own security, said an Iraqi security source with knowledge of Soleimani's security arrangements.
The passenger flight would be Soleimani's last. Rockets fired from a US drone killed him as he left the Baghdad airport in a convoy of two armoured vehicles.
Also killed was the man who met him at the airport: Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), the Iraqi government's umbrella group for the country's militias.
The Iraqi investigation into the attack that killed the two men on January 3 started minutes after the US attack, two Iraqi security officials told Reuters.
National Security agents sealed off the airport and prevented dozens of security staff from leaving, including police, passport officers and intelligence agents.
Investigators have focused on how suspected informants inside the Damascus and Baghdad airports collaborated with the US military to help track and pinpoint Soleimani's position, according to Reuters interviews with two security officials with direct knowledge of Iraq's investigation, two Baghdad airport employees, two police officials and two employees of Syria's Cham Wings Airlines, a private commercial airline which had its headquarters in Damascus.
Probe on suspected leaks
The probe is being led by Falih al-Fayadh, who serves as Iraq's National Security Adviser and the head of the PMF, the body that coordinates with Iraq's mostly Shia militias, many of which are backed by Iran and had close ties to Soleimani.
The National Security agency's investigators have "strong indications that a network of spies inside Baghdad Airport were involved in leaking sensitive security details" on Soleimani's arrival to the United States, one of the Iraqi security officials told Reuters.
The suspects include two security staffers at the Baghdad airport and two Cham Wings employees - "a spy at the Damascus airport and another one working on board the airplane," the source said.
The National Security agency's investigators believe the four suspects, who have not been arrested, worked as part of a wider group of people feeding information to the US military, the official said.
The two employees of Cham Wings are under investigation by Syrian intelligence, the two Iraqi security officials said.
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