Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, who was the head of the elite Quds Force, was killed today in an airstrike launched by the United States at Baghdad’s international airport.
Along with Major-General Qassem Soleimani, Iraqi army commander Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis was also killed. Not only did the US Department of Defense the Pentagon confirm the news, but the department also declared him a terrorist.
According to the press release by Pentagon, the US and Israel took the responsibility for killing Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani. It added, “The strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans, it also reportedly killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraqi paramilitary group Hashd Shaabi.”
The department also claimed that the Iranian general was actively developing plans to attack the US diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. The Pentagon also confirmed that Soleimani was killed as per President Donald Trump’s order.
Soleimani led the foreign arm of the Revolutionary Guards and had a key role in fighting in Syria and Iraq. He had acquired a celebrity status at home and abroad. Soleimani became head of the Quds Force in 1998. He survived several assassination attempts against him by Western, Israeli and Arab agencies over the past 20 years.
The Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, in a statement said, “Suleimani’s martyrdom will make Iran more decisive to resist America’s expansionism and to defend our Islamic values. With no doubt, Iran and other freedom-seeking countries in the region will take his revenge.”
On the other hand, US President Donald Trump posted a flag of his country on twitter immediately after the attack.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020
The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also posted a tweet on how Iraqis were dancing over the death of Iranian General.
Iraqis — Iraqis — dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more. pic.twitter.com/huFcae3ap4
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 3, 2020
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted, “Thank you, Mr. President, for standing up for America.”
Wow – the price of killing and injuring Americans has just gone up drastically. Major blow to Iranian regime that has American blood on its hands. Soleimani was one of the most ruthless and vicious members of the Ayatollah’s regime. He had American blood on his hands.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 3, 2020
Suleimani was commander of the Quds force, the elite, external wing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, which the US government designated a terrorist organization in April last year. He was accused by the US of being responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American service members and the wounding of thousands more.
For many, Suleimani was considered as the second most powerful person in Iran, behind Khamenei, and arguably ahead of Rouhani. Through a mix of security operations and diplomatic coercion, he has been esteemed for projecting Iran’s influence in the region. Twitter is amass with messages over his demise.
This is the level of understanding of the world political affairs of our top 7 Anchors that they haven’t tweeted anything about the looming danger of a #WW3 after the assassination of #Soleimani.
Do they even understand that #Trump has put the whole region in the utmost danger?
— Mir Mohammad Alikhan (@MirMAKOfficial) January 3, 2020
Killing #Soleimani isn’t like killing bin Laden, who had masterminded the worst terrorist attack against America. Soleimani was a competitor, who was highly effective in fighting ISIS as well as American interests. Assassinating him seems like a step back to a more savage past.
— John Simpson (@JohnSimpsonNews) January 3, 2020
Congrats to US for taking out #Soleimani.He attacked #Peshmerga after Kurds voted over 90% for independence.Killed many US military/planning more. @JoeBiden against attack on evil Iran general.Joe also against taking out #BinLaden. @realDonaldTrump hero today. #maga
— Victoria Toensing (@VicToensing) January 3, 2020
Trump’s assassination of #Soleimani, the 2nd most powerful person in #Iran (without the approval of Congress) could very well precipitate war & destabilize the entire region. He has also incited US-directed terrorism for decades to come. Trump is mentally unfit to be President.
— Dr. Jack Brown (@DrGJackBrown) January 3, 2020
Yeah. The “no. 1 bad guy” who led the counter-terrorism campaigns that defeated ISIS and Al-Qaeda in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon; the “no. 1 bad guy” who prevented a jihadist takeover of the Middle East.
A round of applause is truly in order.#Soleimani #Iran https://t.co/tauwkEBSsK
— Sarah Abdallah (@sahouraxo) January 3, 2020
