2020.01.02; ThJa02: Top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani killed by air strikes in Baghdad | South China Morning Post
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Iranian Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani. Photo: AP
Top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani killed by US air strike in Baghdad
•Soleimani developed a reputation as one of the most powerful and mysterious men in the Middle East, overseeing Iranian operations abroad
•He was hailed as a ‘living martyr’ by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and was a key player in Iraq after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003
Topic | Iran
Published: 9:34am, 3 Jan, 2020
Updated: 11:10am, 3 Jan, 2020
Iranian Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani. Photo: AP
Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard’s elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were on Thursday killed in a US air strike on their convoy at Baghdad airport.
The Pentagon confirmed its involvement, saying: "At the direction of the president, the US military has taken decisive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated foreign terrorist organisation.
"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. 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 Pentagon cited recent attacks on coalition bases in Iraq and the riots by Iranian-backed militias last week near the US embassy in Baghdad. The Pentagon statement added: "This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The US will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world."
Footage of one of the vehicles struck by strike killing Iran military leader Qasem Soleimani tonight in Baghdad. pic.twitter.com/jkwydjH2pq— Israel Breaking (@IsraelBreaking) January 3, 2020
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also confirmed his death, announcing that "the glorious commander of Islam, haj Qasem Soleimani, following a life of servitude, was martyred in an attack by America on Baghdad airport this morning".
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