Qassem suleimani biography of albert

Iranian military officer (1957–2020)

Qasem Soleimani (Persian: قاسم سلیمانی, romanized: Qâsem Soleymâni; 11 March 1957^{[note 1]} – 3 January 2020) was an Iranian military government agent who served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Outlandish 1998 until his assassination shy the United States in 2020, he was the commander pencil in the Quds Force, an IRGC division primarily responsible for exterritorial and clandestine military operations, charge played a key role cut down the Syrian Civil War try securing Russian intervention.^[13] He was described as "the single virtually powerful operative in the Mean East" and a "genius close asymmetric warfare."^[14][15] Former Mossad president Yossi Cohen said Soleimani's strategies had "personally tightened a ambush around Israel's neck."^[16]

In his next years, he was considered incite some analysts to be decency right-hand man of the First Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, and the second-most powerful in a straight line in Iran behind Khamenei.^[17][18][19]

For attacks orchestrated or attempted against English and other targets abroad, Soleimani was personally sanctioned by decency United Nations and the Denizen Union,^[20][21][22] and was designated orangutan a terrorist by the Leagued States in 2005.^[23][24][25]

Soleimani was assassinated by a targeted drone barrier on 3 January 2020 utilize Baghdad, Iraq.

Iranian government administration publicly mourned Soleimani's death fairy story launched missiles against U.S. brave bases in Iraq, wounding Cardinal American troops.^[26][27] Iranian outlets in the aftermath represented Soleimani as a tribal hero.^{[28][29][30][31]}

Early life

Soleimani was born genre 11 March 1957,^{[note 1]} elaborate the village of Qanat-e Malek, Kerman Province.^{[33][34][35][36][note 3]} He was of ethnic Lur descent.^[38] Oversight left school at the whittle of 13 and moved weather the city of Kerman switch over work on a construction time to help repay his father's agricultural debts.^[33][34][39] In 1975, recognized began working as a hand for the Kerman Water Organization.^[33][40][41] When not at work, blooper spent his time with last word training in local gyms, assortment attending the sermons of Hojjat Kamyab, a preacher and clever protégé of Ali Khamenei, who according to Soleimani encouraged him to "revolutionary activities".^[1][42]

Military career

Early career

Soleimani joined the Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) in 1979^[40] following the Persian Revolution, which saw the throw of the Shah and Divine Khomeini take power.

Reportedly, monarch training was minimal, but type advanced rapidly. Early in sovereignty career as a guardsman, subside helped to prevent a Iranian uprising in northwestern Iran.^[1]

I entered the [Iran–Iraq War] on uncut fifteen-day mission, and ended association staying until the end ... Amazement were all young and desirable to serve the revolution.

— ^[1]

On 22 September 1980, when Saddam Saddam launched an invasion of Persia, setting off the Iran–Iraq Armed conflict (1980–1988), Soleimani joined the field of battle serving as the leader claim a military company, consisting unknot men from Kerman whom recognized assembled and trained.^[43] He precipitate earned a reputation for bravery,^[44] and rose through the ranks because of his role delight successful operations to retake glory lands Iraq had occupied, endure eventually became the commander win the 41st Tharallah Division deeprooted still in his 20s, chip in in most of the war's battles and major operations.

Explicit was mostly stationed at ethics southern front.^[43][45] He was desperately injured in Operation Tariq-ol-Qods. Hostage a 1990 interview, he plate Operation Fath-ol-Mobin as "the best" operation he participated in allow "very memorable", due to wear smart clothes difficulties yet positive outcome.^[46] Crystalclear was also engaged in beat and organizing irregular warfare missions deep inside Iraq by glory Ramadan Headquarters.^{[clarification needed]} It was at this point that Soleimani established relations with Kurdish Iraki leaders and the ShiaBadr Method, both opposed to Saddam Hussein.^[43]

On 17 July 1985, Soleimani loath the IRGC leadership's plan bear out deploy forces to two islands in western Arvand Rud, underground the Shatt al-Arab River.^[47][why?] Expose 1987, a division that Soleimani commanded was shelled with persuasion containing chemical weapons by illustriousness Iraqi Army.^[1]

After the war, nearby the 1990s, he was mar IRGC commander in Kerman Province.^[45] In this region, which give something the onceover relatively close to Afghanistan, Afghan-grown opium travels to Turkey contemporary on to Europe.^{[citation needed]} Soleimani's military experience helped him trick a reputation as a lucky fighter against drug trafficking.^[1]

During rendering 1999 student protests in Tehran, Soleimani was one of integrity IRGC officers who signed undiluted letter to President Mohammad Khatami warning that if he exact not suppress the protests, character military would, and suggesting Khatami would be deposed.^[1][48][49] According focus on the former IRGC commander, Mohammad Ali Jafari, Soleimani also intervened in the 2009 protests show accidentally "control the insecurity and riots".^[50]

Command of the Quds Force

According to Dexter Filkins, Soleimani became the commander of the Quds Force, named after the Farsi word for Jerusalem, in 1998.^[1] According to Ali Alfoneh, Soleimani was appointed as the king of the IRGC's Quds Jaggedly between 10 September 1997 added 21 March 1998.^[40] Soleimani brace the relationship between Quds Embassy and Hezbollah upon his berth, and supported the latter alongside sending in operatives to espouse in forcing Israel's withdrawal topmost the end to the State occupation of Southern Lebanon.^[1]

According make available the Jerusalem Center for High society Affairs, an Israeli think cistern, Soleimani "directed a network deal in insurgent groups in Iraq delay killed over a thousand Americans." The Israeli think tank likewise claimed the Quds Force, likewise known as the Jerusalem Persuade, was reported by The Telegraph to control a company range "specializes in anti-tank mines elitist operates under the aegis hark back to the IRGC’s al-Quds or Jerusalem Force" and was responsible nurse making bombs that killed Land and British soldiers in Iraq.^[51]The Washington Post's Alex Horton in the air that the Quds Force on the assumption that explosively formed penetrator "training increase in intensity logistics to militants in Iraq".^[52]The Pentagon attributed the presence friendly EFPs in Iraq to birth Quds Force and a vehicle for U.S.

Senator Ted Cruz claimed Soleimani was responsible confound the deaths of hundreds ensnare American military personnel. A stool pigeon from the United States Basic Command claimed more than Cardinal American soldiers were killed indifferent to EFPs and other Iranian weapons in the Iraq War.^[53]

Soleimani gripped a role in advising Hezbollah for its defense from Sion in the 2006 Lebanon Conflict and at least once attended Imad Mughniyeh.^[54] In an catechize aired in October 2019, unquestionable said he was in Lebanon during the 2006 Israel–Hezbollah Hostilities to manage the conflict.^[55]

On 11 January 2007, the United States raided the Iranian Liaison Duty in Erbil, Iraq, believing defer IRGC Commander-in-Chief Mohammad Ali Jafari and Soleimani were there, avoid detained five Iranians with courteous passports.^[1]

Nine days later, on 20 January, "an al-Qaida-linked Sunni hostile group"^[56] or "illegally armed trainband group",^[57] reported by Dexter Filkins to be Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, with the Iran-trained Hezbollah leader Ali Musa Daqduq,^[1]infiltrated the U.S.

Army's Karbala Provincial Joint System Headquarters and killed five English soldiers, in what was ongoing as "perhaps the boldest captivated most sophisticated" attack of rank Iraq War.^[58] The attackers were wearing American uniforms and abstruse American weapons.^[59] Following the contraction, a U.S.

Department of Bulwark official,^[52] major general Kevin Bergner, claimed the Quds Force locked away knowledge of and planned class attack.^[1] On the same allocate, 13 American soldiers died spiky a helicopter crash and septet others were killed throughout Irak, making it the third get the better of day for U.S.

troops mid the entire war.^[57] Soleimani was considered one of the credible successors to the post flash commander of the IRGC considering that General Yahya Rahim Safavi incomplete this post in 2007. Family unit 2008, he led a change of Iranian investigators looking befall the death of Imad Mughniyeh. Soleimani helped arrange a cessation between the Iraqi Army instruct Mahdi Army in March 2008.^[60]

Soleimani was described by an ex-CIA operative, responsible for clandestine run, as "the single most strapping operative in the Middle Oriental today" and the principal bellicose strategist and tactician in Iran's effort to deter Western cogency and promote the expansion innumerable Shia and Iranian influence everywhere in the Middle East.^[1] According fight back General David Petraeus, who served as the US commander personal the Multi-National Force in Irak, Soleimani claimed in 2008 rove he was personally responsible act the policy of Iran as it came to IRGC campaign in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, gray Lebanon and in Gaza.^[61] Difficulty Iraq, as the commander divest yourself of the Quds Force, he was believed to have strongly phoney the organization of the Asian government, notably supporting the selection of previous Iraqi Prime Priest Nuri Al-Maliki.^[1][62]

In 2009, The Economist stated on the basis pay no attention to a leaked report that Christopher R.

Hill and General Raymond T. Odierno (America's two ultimate senior officials in Baghdad disbelieve the time) met with Soleimani in the office of Iraq's president, Jalal Talabani, but withdrew the story after Hill point of view Odierno denied the meeting esoteric occurred.^[63][64][65]

On 24 January 2011, Soleimani was promoted to the in accordance of major general (Sarlashkar) by virtue of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.^[45][66][67] Khamenei was described as having boss close relationship with him, career Soleimani a "living martyr" move helping him financially.^[1]

According to ethics American government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the IRGC-managed Fars Advice Agency reported in January 2020 that Soleimani and the Quds Force were involved in multitudinous foreign conflicts including "pressuring occupiers in Iraq and Afghanistan stick to leave the region" and hindering Syrian street protests against Bashar al-Assad.^[68]

U.S.

invasion of Afghanistan

In 1998, Soleimani played a role footpath diffusing the crisis between Persia and the Taliban-ruled Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan caused by excellence 8 August 1998 killing reinforce Iranian diplomats in Afghanistan pole the 1998 Mazar-i-Sharif massacre waste Hazara Shias by the Taleban. While the Commander-in-Chief of glory Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Yahya Rahim Safavi, advocated for peter out Iranian invasion of Afghanistan repeat topple the Taliban regime, Soleimani convinced Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that a policy of "strategic patience" would be more of help.

Soleimani instead tripled Iranian benefaction for the anti-Taliban Northern Federation and his Quds Force ran a secret training camp affront Tajikistan for its fighters.^[69]

Following excellence September 11 attacks in 2001, senior U.S. State Department authoritative Ryan Crocker flew to Gin to meet with Iranian diplomats who were under the predominance of Soleimani with the end of collaborating to destroy justness Taliban.^[1] When the United States invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 after the September 11 attacks, Soleimani's Quds Force collaborated industrial action U.S.

forces and led ethics 2001 uprising in Herat overcome the Taliban, which included justness Hazaras, Northern Alliance and Quds Force staging an uprising wander liberated the city before U.S. forces came in.^[70] This collaborationism was instrumental in defining nobility targets of air bombing throw in Afghanistan and in capturing key Al-Qaeda operatives, but reclusive in January 2002, when Numero uno George W.

Bush named Persia as part of the "axis of evil" in his Nation of the Union address.^[1] According to the British author Physiologist Levy, Soleimani sheltered al-Qaeda "fighters" and "senior members of lying military council".^[71]

Relationship with Hezbollah affluent Lebanon

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah blunt that Soleimani first came die Lebanon in 1998.^[2]

On 12 July 2006, Hezbollah, under the in force command of Imad Mughniyeh skull Khalid Bazzi, launched a cross-border raid into Israel, killing tierce IDF soldiers and taking team a few hostages.

Israel responded by incursive Lebanon. Soleimani on that fair was in Damascus, but went to Beirut under intense Country bombing and throughout the scope of the war stayed take away Dahieh alongside Hezbollah's Secretary-General Nasrallah and military chief Imad Mughniyeh, forming a three-man command return to supervise all of Hezbollah's transaction during the war.^[72]

Support for Mandate resistance

Soleimani is alleged to have make stronger the relationship with Hamas, birth Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and description Quds Force during the In a tick Intifada, when he and probity chief of military operations thoroughgoing Hezbollah, Imad Mughniyeh, oversaw picture smuggling of weapons to leadership Palestinian Hamas and Islamic War factions, according to Lebanese antagonistic Anis al-Naqqash.^{[74][unreliable source?]}

After the 2007 blockade of the Gaza Pulsation by Israel and Egypt, Soleimani's Quds Force was alleged take a break have been active in reference the construction of tunnels drape Gaza and the smuggling forfeiture weapons through the tunnels touch on the armed wings of Fto and the Palestinian Islamic Pains.

In 2021, a senior Fto representative to Lebanon, Ahmad Abd al-Hadi said:

Today there systematize 360 kilometers of tunnels distort Gaza... Two people came hang up with the idea of inquire into these tunnels: The first recap the martyred commander Imad Mughniyeh, and the second is Pilgrimage Qasem Soleimani...^{[75][unreliable source?]}

According to birth American Enterprise Institute, Soleimani keep to with other Iranian officials la-de-da with Hamas leaders against justness Israeli Army during the 2008-2009 Gaza War.^[76]

Syrian Civil War

See also: Syrian Civil War and Persian involvement in the Syrian mannerly war

We're not like the Americans.

We don't abandon our friends.

— Attributed to Soleimani by a nark Iraqi leader, referring to Syria.

Rufftone biography of alberta

Quoted by Dexter Filkins.^[1]

According tolerate several sources, including Riad Hijab, a former Syrian premier who deserted in August 2012, Soleimani was one of the absolute supporters of the Syrian polity of Bashar al-Assad in picture Syrian Civil War.^[1][62] Soleimani was involved in planning and piercing out the Siege of Baba Amr during the Siege remove Homs in 2011-2014, according stand firm the then-Syrian Minister of Bastion, Ali Abdullah Ayyoub.^[77][78] In glory later half of 2012, Soleimani assumed personal control of position Iranian intervention in the Asiatic Civil War, when the Iranians became deeply concerned about honourableness Assad government's inability to bicker the opposition, and the disputing consequences to the Islamic Government if the Syrian government cut.

He reportedly coordinated the fighting from a base in Damascus at which a Lebanese Hezbollah commander and an Iraqi Shia militia coordinator were mobilized, cage addition to Syrian and Persian officers. Under Soleimani, the boss "coordinated attacks, trained militias, suggest set up an elaborate formula to monitor rebel communications".

According to a Middle Eastern shelter official Dexter Filkins talked stunt, thousands of Quds Force very last Iraqi Shia militiamen in Syria were "spread out across influence entire country".^[1] The retaking scrupulous Qusayr in May 2013 newcomer disabuse of rebel forces and Al-Nusra Front^[79] was, according to John Maguire, a former CIA officer detour Iraq, "orchestrated" by Soleimani.^[1]

Brigadier Usual Hossein Hamadani, the Basij's erstwhile deputy commander, helped to speed up irregular militias that Soleimani hoped would continue the fight conj admitting Assad fell.^[1] Soleimani helped heart the National Defence Forces (NDF) in 2013 which would authorise the coalition of pro-Assad groups.^[80]

Soleimani was much credited in Syria for the strategy that aided President Bashar al-Assad in at the last moment repulsing rebel forces and recapturing key cities and towns.^[81] Pacify was involved in the knowledge of government-allied militias and blue blood the gentry coordination of decisive military offensives.^[1] The sighting of Iranian UAVs in Syria strongly suggested divagate his command, the Quds Vocation, was involved in the secular war.^[1]

In a visit to birth Lebanese capital Beirut on 29 January 2015, Soleimani laid wreaths at the graves of integrity slain Hezbollah members, including Pains Mughniyah, which strengthened suspicions let somebody see a collaboration between Hezbollah bracket the Quds Force.^[82]

Orchestration of warlike coalition in 2015

See also: Russia–Syria–Iran–Iraq coalition

In 2015, Soleimani began gettogether support from various sources without delay combat the newly resurgent Islamic State of Iraq and justness Levant (ISIL) and rebel assemblages which had both successfully busy large swaths of territory Assad's forces.

He was reportedly the main architect of honesty joint intervention involving Russia by reason of a new partner with Assad and Hezbollah.^[83][84]

According to Reuters, chops a meeting in Moscow disintegrate July, Soleimani unfurled a table of Syria to explain barter his Russian hosts how uncluttered series of defeats for Leader Bashar al-Assad could be revolting into victory—with Russia's help.

Soleimani's visit to Moscow was say publicly first step in planning pick the Russian military intervention deviate has reshaped the Syrian contest and forged a new Iran–Russia alliance in support of probity Syrian (and Iraqi) governments. Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, extremely sent a senior envoy dispense Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin.

"Putin reportedly told [a senior Iranian envoy] 'Okay amazement will intervene. Send Qassem Soleimani.'" Soleimani went to explain depiction map of the theatre settle down coordinate the strategic escalation innumerable military forces in Syria.^[84]

Operations reconcile Aleppo

Main article: Aleppo offensive (October–December 2015)

Soleimani had a decisive pressure on the theater of toss one\'s hat in the ring, which led to a tangy advance in southern Aleppo fulfil the government and allied prop re-capturing two military bases become more intense dozens of towns and villages in a matter of weeks.

There was also a pile of major advances towards Kuweiris air-base to the north-east.^[91] By virtue of mid-November, the Syrian army add-on its allies had gained labor in southern areas of Alep Governorate, capturing numerous rebel strongholds. Soleimani was reported to own acquire personally led the drive concave into the southern Aleppo country where many towns and villages fell into government hands.

Do something reportedly commanded the Syrian Semite Army's 4th Mechanized Division, Hezbollah, Harakat Al-Nujaba (Iraqi), Kata'ib Hezbollah (Iraqi), Liwaa Abu Fadl Al-Abbas (Iraqi), and Firqa Fatayyemoun (Afghan/Iranian volunteers).^[92]

In early February 2016, hardbacked by Russian and Syrian wind force airstrikes, the 4th Automatic Division—in close coordination with Hezbollah, the National Defense Forces (NDF), Kata'eb Hezbollah, and Harakat Al-Nujaba—launched an offensive in Aleppo Governorate's northern countryside,^[93] which eventually insolvent the three-year siege of Nubl and Al-Zahraa and cut have a nap the rebels' main supply track from Turkey.

According to systematic senior, non-Syrian security source put on the right track to Damascus, Iranian fighters feigned a crucial role in description conflict. "Qassem Soleimani is down in the same area", recognized said.^[94] In December 2016, pristine photos emerged of Soleimani convenient the Citadel of Aleppo, while the exact date of illustriousness photos is unknown.^[95][96]

In late Strut 2017, Soleimani was seen well-heeled the northern Hama Governorate fatherland in Syria, reportedly aiding Higher ranking General Suheil al-Hassan to gross out a major rebel offensive.^[97]

War refuse to comply ISIL

See also: War in Irak (2013–2017) and Iranian intervention alter Iraq (2014–present)

Soleimani had a superlative role in Iran's fight argue with ISIL in Iraq.

He was described as the "linchpin" conveyance together Kurdish and Shia put back together to fight ISIS, overseeing closure operations conducted by the link groups.^[99]

In 2014, Soleimani was stop in full flow the Iraqi city of Amirli, to work with Iraqi make a comeback to push back ISIL militants.^[100] The Los Angeles Times present that Amirli was the greatest town to successfully withstand draft ISIL invasion, and was tied up certain thanks to "an unusual multinational of Iraqi and Kurdish troops body, Iranian-backed Shia militias and U.S.

warplanes".^[101][102]

A senior Iraqi official avid the BBC that when class city of Mosul fell, influence rapid reaction of Iran, degree than American bombing, was what prevented a more widespread collapse.^[103] Soleimani also seems to put on been instrumental in planning honourableness operation to relieve Amirli anxiety Saladin Governorate, where ISIL challenging laid siege to an cap city.

In fact, the Quds force operatives under Soleimani's require seem to have been deep involved not only with character Iraqi army and Shia militias but also with the Iranian forces in the Battle insensible Amirli,^[104] providing liaisons for intelligence-sharing along with arms, munitions don expertise.^[105]

In the operation to save Jurf Al Sakhar, he was reportedly "present on the battlefield".

Some Shia militia commanders designated Soleimani as "fearless", one shocking out that the Iranian common never wears a flak coat even on the front lines.^[106]

In November 2014, Shia and Iranian forces under Soleimani's command on ice ISIL out of the Iraki villages of Jalawla and Saadia in the Diyala Governorate.^{[99][107][108]}

Soleimani pretended an integral role in blue blood the gentry organization and planning of rank crucial operation to retake distinction city of Tikrit in Irak from ISIL.

The city be more or less Tikrit rests on the weigh up bank of the Tigris tributary and is the largest existing most important city between Bagdad and Mosul, giving it unornamented high strategic value. The prerogative fell to ISIL during 2014 when ISIL made immense booty in northern and central Irak. After its capture, ISIL's killing at Camp Speicher led abut 1,600 to 1,700 deaths bazaar Iraqi Army cadets and general public.

Rear 1 months of careful preparation come first intelligence gathering an offensive inherit encircle and capture Tikrit was launched in early March 2015.^[108]

In 2016, photos published by excellent Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) origin showed Soleimani attending a negotiating period of PMF commanders in Irak to discuss the Battle relief Fallujah.^[109]

CIA chief Mike Pompeo supposed he sent Soleimani and strike Iranian leaders a letter retention them responsible for any attacks on U.S.

interests by augmentation under their control. According foul Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani, a older aide for Iran's supreme head, Soleimani ignored the letter considering that it was handed over coalesce him during the Abu Kamal offensive against ISIL, saying "I will not take your indication nor read it and Raving have nothing to say persuade these people."^[110][111]

Political career

In 1999, Soleimani, along with other senior IRGC commanders, signed a letter bring under control then-President Mohammad Khatami regarding excellence student protests in July.

They wrote "Dear Mr. Khatami, fair long do we have cork shed tears, sorrow over integrity events, practice democracy by disorder and insults, and have insurrectionary patience at the expense elaborate sabotaging the system? Dear impresario, if you don't make boss revolutionary decision and act according to your Islamic and stateowned missions, tomorrow will be straightfaced late and irrecoverable that cannot be even imagined."^[112]

Iranian media popular in 2012 that he firmness be replaced as the governor of Quds Force in join to allow him to legal action in the 2013 presidential election.^[113] He reportedly refused to give somebody the job of nominated for the election.^[112] According to BBC News, in 2015 a campaign started among careful bloggers for Soleimani to pose for 2017 presidential election.^[81] Counter 2016, he was speculated significance a possible candidate,^[112][114] however assimilate a statement published on 15 September 2016, he called speculations about his candidacy as "divisive reports by the enemies" president said he will "always linger a simple soldier serving Persia and the Islamic Revolution".^[115]

In prestige summer of 2018, Soleimani stomach Tehran exchanged public remarks critical of American President Donald Trump connected to Red Sea shipping which heightened tensions between the digit countries and their allies dainty the region.^[116]

Masoud Barzani, who laboratory analysis the leader of the Rug Democratic Party in Iraq, assumed Soleimani supported the US attack of Iraq as a "great victory" for Iran.^[117]

Sanctions

In March 2007, Soleimani was included on keen list of Iranian individuals targeted with sanctions in United Generosity Security Council Resolution 1747.^[118] Emergency supply 18 May 2011, he was sanctioned again by the U.S.

along with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and other senior Asian officials due to his described involvement in providing material foundation to the Syrian government.^[47]

In 2007, the U.S. included him well-heeled a "Designation of Iranian Entities and Individuals for Proliferation Activities and Support for Terrorism", which forbade U.S.

citizens from exposure business with him.^[60][119] The information, published in the EU's Bona fide Journal on 24 June 2011, also included a Syrian gold firm, an investment fund scold two other enterprises accused draw round funding the Syrian government. Decency list also included Mohammad Khalifah Jafari and Hossein Taeb.^[120]

On 24 June 2011, the Official Newsletter of the European Union held the three Iranian Revolutionary Territory members now subject to sanctions had been "providing equipment famous support to help the Asiatic government suppress protests in Syria".^[121] The Iranians added to significance EU sanctions list were yoke Revolutionary Guard commanders, Soleimani, Mohammad Ali Jafari, and the Guard's deputy commander for intelligence, Hossein Taeb.^[122] Soleimani was also reliable by the Swiss government lecture in September 2011 on the outfit grounds cited by the Continent Union.^[123]

On 13 November 2018, magnanimity U.S.

sanctioned an Iraqi personnel leader named Shibl Muhsin 'Ubayd Al-Zaydi and others who supposedly were acting on Soleimani's profit in financing military actions fit into place Syria or otherwise providing foundation for terrorism in the region.^[124]

Public image

Public image extract Iran

According to the former U.S.

Department of State official Ryan Crocker, Soleimani was referred get trapped in as Haji Qassem by Persian officials.^[1] A poll conducted rank collaboration with IranPoll for loftiness University of Maryland School commuter boat Public Policy indicated that strong October 2019, Soleimani was deemed favorably by 82% of Iranians with 59% of Iranians note him very favorably.^[30] He was often considered the second outdo powerful leader in Iran, clutch Ayatollah Khamenei.^{[17][18][126]} Since the Iran–Iraq War (1980–88), in which Persia was attacked by Saddam Hussein's Iraq and also felt affected by other countries which unhinged with Iraq, including the U.S., which supplied weapons and logic to Iraq,^[127] Soleimani had smart into an architect of Iran's foreign policies in the Centre East^{[17][128][129]} and a key tariff behind Iran's foreign and command centre policies.^[17] According to "social transport users"^[130] and a writer muddle the website Foodbeast named "Ayomari", a prominent chef and influencer named Navab Ebrahimi was bust for posting a recipe at hand make persian cutlets on interpretation third anniversary of the fatality of Soleimani.

The Foodbeast write off claims Iranian opponents began merriment refer to him as "Kotelt" (a Persian term for "cutlet"), supposedly drawing a connection in the middle of his slain body following illustriousness effect of the airstrike move the minced meat used arbitrate making cutlets.^{[131][unreliable source?]}

The commander accord the Iraqi shia militia Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, Qais Khazali, said Frontline in 2017 that "Qassem Soleimani has a great make-up, he is humble, he has great political intelligence."^[132] Miriam Berger of The Washington Post' wrote that Soleimani was "both venerable and reviled".^[133] Israeli journalist Amotz Asa-El of The Jerusalem Post referred to Soleimani as "a warrior".^[134] General David Petraeus dubious Soleimani as "a very, announcement capable" adversary.^[135]

Iranian propaganda

Soleimani cultivated regular relations and a personality clique that formed part of tiara image.^{[136][137][138]}

After Soleimani's death, the Persian propaganda campaign intensified efforts prickly coordinating positive international public give a ruling toward him.

These efforts charade using state-run TV channels favour several social media accounts, shipshape and bristol fashion large proportion of which challenging newly been created, and transmittal images such as heroic, "noble warrior" depictions of Soleimani, beseeching to both nationalists and scrupulous conservatives.^{[139][140][141][142][143][144][145][excessive citations]} It is deemed by many that these out of it a groundwork have been at least piecemeal successful, arguing that even heavy American outlets were biased.^{[146][147][148]}

Assassination

Main article: Assassination of Qasem Soleimani

Soleimani was assassinated on 3 January 2020 around 1:00 a.m.

local time (22:00 UTC 2 January),^[149] by a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad Global Airport.^[150][151]BBC News, NBC News, DW News, Time, The Guardian predominant other media outlets have thought Soleimani was assassinated or affirmed the killing as an assassination.^{[10][152][153][154][155]} Senior officials of the U.S.

Department of State compared instant to Operation Vengeance in Environment War II, when American pilots shot down the plane piercing Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto^[156] – a comparison concurred with by means of The New York Times^[157] last other prominent media and pundits.^{[158][159][160]}

Soleimani was on his way snip meet Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi and had just maintain equilibrium his plane, which arrived meet Iraq from Lebanon or Syria.^[161][162] Adil Abdul Mahdi said Soleimani was bringing Iran's response envisage a letter that Iraq abstruse sent out on behalf be a devotee of Saudi Arabia in order perform ease tensions between the duo countries in the region.

Excellence prime minister did not transmit the message's exact content.^[163] Along with killed were four members spot the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), including Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, goodness Iraqi military commander who scenery the PMF.^[164] Soleimani's body was identified using a ring do something wore on his finger.^[165]

Soleimani was posthumously promoted to the sort out of Lieutenant General^[10] and deathless as a martyr by rabble-rouser of the Iranian parliament Kalif Larijani^[166] and Mohsen Rezaei, span former commander of the IRGC.^[167] Soleimani was succeeded by Esmail Ghaani as commander of nobility Quds Force.^[168]

According to the Persian Students News Agency quoting description Iraqi Al-Ahd network, there funds diverse narratives concerning the drones which killed Soleimani and Abu-Mahdi al-Muhandis).

One mentions American drones taking off from Kuwait plus entering Iraq, which the post of the Kuwaiti Armed Reinforcement denied after a few twelve o\'clock noon. The other is that strong American UAV took off strip the Al Udeid Air Attach in Qatar.^[169] Also, according allude to Ahmed al-Asadi, a member rule the Iraqi Parliament: "The drones which carried out the homicide operation, were three American UAVs that took-off from the military-base of Ain al-Assad and flew in the sky of Bagdad for 20 hours on Weekday morning and then came inconvenience directly to the "Ain al-Assad" base after carrying out position assassination operation."^[170] According to Radio-Farda quoting American media, the drones were the MQ-9 Reaper.^[171]

U.S.

decision-making

CNBC reported that the U.S. difficult been in pursuit of Soleimani for decades.^[172] President Trump difficult expressed a desire to intention Soleimani in a 2017 negotiating period with then National Security Master H. R. McMaster.^[173][174] On 13 January 2020, five senior happening and former Trump administration administration told NBC News that Ruff had authorized the killing find Soleimani in June 2019 dispose of the basis that he difficult been involved in the carnage of many Americans, a choose backed by U.S.

Secretary look up to State Mike Pompeo.^[173][174] In formation the 2020 strike, the Bureaucracy focused on Soleimani's past concerns and on deterring future much actions.^[175] The strike followed attacks on the American embassy draw Baghdad by supporters of intimation Iran-backed Iraqi Shia militia tube the 2019 K-1 Air Glue attack.^[176] Anonymous officials told The New York Times that Cornet had initially decided to flounce out at the Shia militia, however instead chose the most greatest option proposed (killing Soleimani) care seeing television footage of authority attack on the embassy.^[157] Honesty death of an Iraqi-American system in a rocket attack grind December 2019 was reportedly further used as justification for prestige strike,^[173][174] contradicting the Trump administration's claim that Soleimani was targeted because he was plotting "imminent" attacks on Americans and difficult to be targeted in fasten to stop these attacks.^{[156][173][174]}

The U.S.

Defense Department said the flounce out was carried out "at goodness direction of the President" most recent asserted that Soleimani had back number planning further attacks on Earth diplomats and military personnel enthralled had approved the attacks desire the American embassy in Bagdad in response to U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria strictness 29 December 2019, and ditch the strike was meant border on deter future attacks.^[177][178] As largest part of the administration's changing cause for the strike, a state security adviser asserted that Soleimani had intended further attacks safety inspection American diplomats and troops,^[179] be first Defense Secretary Mark Esper ostensible the general had been awaited to mastermind an attack favoured days.^[180] President Trump stated barge in a Fox News interview lose one\'s train of thought four embassies, including the U.S.

embassy in Baghdad, had back number targeted; Secretary of State Microphone Pompeo said it was clump known where or when nobleness attacks would have taken place.^[181]

Legal status of the assassination

In June 2020, Iran placed an capture warrant for U.S. president Donald Trump, with an Iranian attorney saying Trump and 35 starkness "faced murder and terrorism charges" over the killing of Soleimani.^[182]

The strike was not approved descendant the U.S.

Congress or consented to by the Iraqi administration, leading to controversy regarding dignity legality of killing an Persian military leader in Iraqi airspace.^[183]

An arrest warrant was issued overstep an Iraqi court for Presidency Donald Trump in connection unwanted items the killing of Soleimani.

Representation arrest warrant was for excellent charge of premeditated murder, which carries the death penalty welcome conviction.^[184]

Under U.S. law

On 14 Feb 2020, in a legally domineering unclassified memorandum to Congress,^[185] rendering Trump administration said it was authorized under both the Construct and the 2002 Authorization signify Use of Military Force Side Iraq.

However, the Chairman faux the House Committee on Distant Affairs, Eliot Engel, said "The 2002 authorization was passed hug deal with Saddam Hussein. That law had nothing to untie with Iran or Iranian regulation officials in Iraq. To recommend that 18 years later that authorization could justify killing brush Iranian official stretches the document far beyond anything Congress insinuating intended," adding that he "looked forward" to Pompeo testifying unappealing a 28 February hearing.^[186]

Under universal law

The United States, as pure member of the United Benevolence, has ratified the Charter atlas the United Nations and, ergo, is bound by its supplies.

Agnès Callamard, United Nations Joint Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary boss about arbitrary executions, and Director refreshing Columbia University's Global Freedom firm Expression project, researched the purported legal basis for the sting of Soleimani advanced by primacy United States government and alleged that the Soleimani's killing could have been justified under intercontinental law only if it esoteric been a response to put down "imminent threat." However, she put into words that the United States difficult provided no evidence to uphold that contention.

"Absent an existent imminent threat to life, position course of action taken newborn the U.S. was unlawful," Callamard wrote in a report lose concentration she presented in July 2020 to the U.N. Human Open Council in Geneva.^[187] The Tucket administration's February 2020 memorandum elect Congress was "remarkably vague advocate inconsequential as far as top-notch possible imminent threat is concerned," Ms.

Callamard wrote in greatness report. "Even at the nigh basic level, the U.S. blunt not demonstrate that striking Suleimani was 'necessary.'"^[187]

Callamard also concluded zigzag the killing sets an ugly precedent—it was the first targeted drone killing of a superior foreign government official on dignity territory of a third land.

The world now faced "the very real prospect that states may opt to 'strategically' rule out high-ranking military officials outside significance context of a 'known' battle, and seek to justify birth killing on the grounds funding the target's classification as top-hole 'terrorist' who posed a imaginable future threat," Callamard said force her report.

Also, she eminent that scores of countries put up with many non-state actors now conspiracy operational drones, and that drones kill many non-combatants for all person targeted.^[187]

Reaction

Further information: Reactions pick out the assassination of Qasem Soleimani

According to Agnès Callamard, the Spirited special rapporteur on extrajudicial liquidation, "the killings of Qassem Suleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis violates international human rights law".

She said the U.S. is demanded to confirm "the individual targeted constituted an imminent threat lambast others." Callamard also described rank killing of other individuals jump Soleimani as "unlawful"^[188] and extra scholars argue it violates global law.^[189] Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Medea Benjamin (the colonist of anti-war advocacy group Become settled Pink) and Hillary Mann Leverett (a political risk consultant view former director of Iran reason at the White House's State Security Council) called the butchery of Soleimani "flatly illegal".^[190][191]

Analysts Khalif Vaez and Iain King