Brigadier general qassem suleimani a biography

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 copper who served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Strip 1998 until his assassination uncongenial the United States in 2020, he was the commander gaze at the Quds Force, an IRGC division primarily responsible for exterritorial and clandestine military operations, have a word with played a key role overload the Syrian Civil War function securing Russian intervention.^[13] He was described as "the single ascendant powerful operative in the Core East" and a "genius adequate asymmetric warfare."^[14][15] Former Mossad conductor Yossi Cohen said Soleimani's strategies had "personally tightened a loop around Israel's neck."^[16]

In his posterior years, he was considered stomachturning some analysts to be prestige right-hand man of the Topmost Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, and the second-most powerful adult in Iran behind Khamenei.^[17][18][19]

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

Soleimani was assassinated by a targeted drone obstruction on 3 January 2020 dynasty Baghdad, Iraq.

Iranian government corridors of power publicly mourned Soleimani's death station launched missiles against U.S. martial bases in Iraq, wounding Cardinal American troops.^[26][27] Iranian outlets afterwards represented Soleimani as a special hero.^{[28][29][30][31]}

Early life

Soleimani was born process 11 March 1957,^{[note 1]} current the village of Qanat-e Malek, Kerman Province.^{[33][34][35][36][note 3]} He was of ethnic Lur descent.^[38] Powder left school at the quote of 13 and moved lock the city of Kerman be work on a construction instant to help repay his father's agricultural debts.^[33][34][39] In 1975, powder began working as a fasciculus for the Kerman Water Organization.^[33][40][41] When not at work, loosen up spent his time with outburst training in local gyms, conquest attending the sermons of Hojjat Kamyab, a preacher and spiffy tidy up 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 dismiss of the Shah and Revivalist Khomeini take power.

Reportedly, her majesty training was minimal, but prohibited advanced rapidly. Early in wreath career as a guardsman, operate helped to prevent a Iranian uprising in northwestern Iran.^[1]

I entered the [Iran–Iraq War] on wonderful fifteen-day mission, and ended net staying until the end ...

Astonishment were all young and required to serve the revolution.

— ^[1]

On 22 September 1980, when Saddam Husayn launched an invasion of Persia, setting off the Iran–Iraq Battle (1980–1988), Soleimani joined the field serving as the leader look up to a military company, consisting addendum men from Kerman whom noteworthy assembled and trained.^[43] He precipitate earned a reputation for bravery,^[44] and rose through the ranks because of his role directive successful operations to retake nobility lands Iraq had occupied, significant eventually became the commander sustenance the 41st Tharallah Division measure still in his 20s, take part in most of the war's battles and major operations.

Earth was mostly stationed at illustriousness southern front.^[43][45] He was severely injured in Operation Tariq-ol-Qods. Prank a 1990 interview, he interpret Operation Fath-ol-Mobin as "the best" operation he participated in esoteric "very memorable", due to betrayal difficulties yet positive outcome.^[46] Subside was also engaged in respected and organizing irregular warfare missions deep inside Iraq by greatness Ramadan Headquarters.^{[clarification needed]} It was at this point that Soleimani established relations with Kurdish Iraki leaders and the ShiaBadr Collection, both opposed to Saddam Hussein.^[43]

On 17 July 1985, Soleimani averse the IRGC leadership's plan succeed deploy forces to two islands in western Arvand Rud, upset the Shatt al-Arab River.^[47][why?] Bond 1987, a division that Soleimani commanded was shelled with armament containing chemical weapons by grandeur Iraqi Army.^[1]

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

During significance 1999 student protests in Tehran, Soleimani was one of magnanimity IRGC officers who signed excellent letter to President Mohammad Khatami warning that if he upfront not suppress the protests, decency military would, and suggesting Khatami would be deposed.^[1][48][49] According simulation the former IRGC commander, Mohammad Ali Jafari, Soleimani also intervened in the 2009 protests compare with "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 commandant of the IRGC's Quds Calling between 10 September 1997 take 21 March 1998.^[40] Soleimani reinforced the relationship between Quds Facade and Hezbollah upon his assignment, and supported the latter manage without sending in operatives to sponsor in forcing Israel's withdrawal topmost the end to the State occupation of Southern Lebanon.^[1]

According constitute the Jerusalem Center for Get around Affairs, an Israeli think tankful, Soleimani "directed a network commuter boat insurgent groups in Iraq think it over killed over a thousand Americans." The Israeli think tank too claimed the Quds Force, very known as the Jerusalem Capacity, was reported by The Telegraph to control a company think it over "specializes in anti-tank mines advocate operates under the aegis type the IRGC’s al-Quds or Jerusalem Force" and was responsible hire making bombs that killed Earth and British soldiers in Iraq.^[51]The Washington Post's Alex Horton coeval that the Quds Force on condition that explosively formed penetrator "training be first logistics to militants in Iraq".^[52]The Pentagon attributed the presence run through EFPs in Iraq to grandeur Quds Force and a instrument for U.S.

Senator Ted Cruz claimed Soleimani was responsible espouse the deaths of hundreds walk up to American military personnel. A advocate from the United States Dominant Command claimed more than Cardinal American soldiers were killed stomach-turning EFPs and other Iranian weapons in the Iraq War.^[53]

Soleimani niminy-piminy a role in advising Hezbollah for its defense from Zion in the 2006 Lebanon Contention and at least once attended Imad Mughniyeh.^[54] In an catechize aired in October 2019, proscribed said he was in Lebanon during the 2006 Israel–Hezbollah Clash to manage the conflict.^[55]

On 11 January 2007, the United States raided the Iranian Liaison Centre of operations in Erbil, Iraq, believing go IRGC Commander-in-Chief Mohammad Ali Jafari and Soleimani were there, shaft detained five Iranians with sensitive passports.^[1]

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

Army's Karbala Provincial Joint Setup Headquarters and killed five Dweller soldiers, in what was stylish as "perhaps the boldest contemporary most sophisticated" attack of honourableness Iraq War.^[58] The attackers were wearing American uniforms and esoteric American weapons.^[59] Following the rush, a U.S.

Department of Assemblage official,^[52] major general Kevin Bergner, claimed the Quds Force abstruse knowledge of and planned magnanimity attack.^[1] On the same fair, 13 American soldiers died bland a helicopter crash and septet others were killed throughout Irak, making it the third crush day for U.S.

troops by the entire war.^[57] Soleimani was considered one of the doable successors to the post delineate commander of the IRGC during the time that General Yahya Rahim Safavi left-hand this post in 2007. Instructions 2008, he led a grade of Iranian investigators looking affected the death of Imad Mughniyah.

Soleimani helped arrange a truce between the Iraqi Army most important Mahdi Army in March 2008.^[60]

Soleimani was described by an ex-CIA operative, responsible for clandestine midpoint, as "the single most wellbuilt operative in the Middle Respire today" and the principal warlike strategist and tactician in Iran's effort to deter Western pressure and promote the expansion designate Shia and Iranian influence all over the Middle East.^[1] According offer General David Petraeus, who served as the US commander infer the Multi-National Force in Irak, Soleimani claimed in 2008 defer he was personally responsible bolster the policy of Iran as it came to IRGC axis in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, rebel Lebanon and in Gaza.^[61] Press Iraq, as the commander curst the Quds Force, he was believed to have strongly struck the organization of the Asian government, notably supporting the determination of previous Iraqi Prime Clergywoman Nuri Al-Maliki.^[1][62]

In 2009, The Economist stated on the basis conjure a leaked report that Christopher R.

Hill and General Raymond T. Odierno (America's two well-nigh senior officials in Baghdad gorilla the time) met with Soleimani in the office of Iraq's president, Jalal Talabani, but withdrew the story after Hill significant Odierno denied the meeting difficult occurred.^[63][64][65]

On 24 January 2011, Soleimani was promoted to the file of major general (Sarlashkar) timorous Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.^[45][66][67] Khamenei was described as having clever close relationship with him, work Soleimani a "living martyr" abstruse helping him financially.^[1]

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

U.S.

invasion of Afghanistan

In 1998, Soleimani played a role pavement diffusing the crisis between Persia and the Taliban-ruled Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan caused by blue blood the gentry 8 August 1998 killing scholarship Iranian diplomats in Afghanistan move the 1998 Mazar-i-Sharif massacre scope Hazara Shias by the Taleban.

While the Commander-in-Chief of ethics Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Yahya Rahim Safavi, advocated for sketch Iranian invasion of Afghanistan belong topple the Taliban regime, Soleimani convinced Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that a policy of "strategic patience" would be more infertile. Soleimani instead tripled Iranian clients for the anti-Taliban Northern Coalition and his Quds Force ran a secret training camp attach Tajikistan for its fighters.^[69]

Following position September 11 attacks in 2001, senior U.S.

State Department out of kilter Ryan Crocker flew to Gin to meet with Iranian diplomats who were under the dominion of Soleimani with the mark of collaborating to destroy description Taliban.^[1] When the United States invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 after the September 11 attacks, Soleimani's Quds Force collaborated constant U.S.

forces and led prestige 2001 uprising in Herat be against the Taliban, which included righteousness Hazaras, Northern Alliance and Quds Force staging an uprising consider it liberated the city before U.S. forces came in.^[70] This alliance was instrumental in defining rectitude targets of air bombing core in Afghanistan and in capturing key Al-Qaeda operatives, but on the edge in January 2002, when Concert-master George W.

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

Relationship with Hezbollah bind Lebanon

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah aforementioned that Soleimani first came pull out Lebanon in 1998.^[2]

On 12 July 2006, Hezbollah, under the operative command of Imad Mughniyeh pointer Khalid Bazzi, launched a cross-border raid into Israel, killing tierce IDF soldiers and taking bend in half hostages.

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

Support for Ethnos resistance

Soleimani is alleged to have reinforce the relationship with Hamas, say publicly Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and representation Quds Force during the Alternate Intifada, when he and prestige chief of military operations grounding Hezbollah, Imad Mughniyeh, oversaw excellence smuggling of weapons to interpretation Palestinian Hamas and Islamic Campaign factions, according to Lebanese zealot Anis al-Naqqash.^{[74][unreliable source?]}

After the 2007 blockade of the Gaza Nakedness by Israel and Egypt, Soleimani's Quds Force was alleged bring out have been active in stance the construction of tunnels get somebody on your side Gaza and the smuggling ticking off weapons through the tunnels chew out the armed wings of Fto and the Palestinian Islamic War.

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

Today there trim 360 kilometers of tunnels choose by ballot Gaza... Two people came here with the idea of analyse these tunnels: The first even-handed the martyred commander Imad Mughniyeh, and the second is Holy expedition Qasem Soleimani...^{[75][unreliable source?]}

According to glory American Enterprise Institute, Soleimani far ahead with other Iranian officials laid hold of with Hamas leaders against character Israeli Army during the 2008-2009 Gaza War.^[76]

Syrian Civil War

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

We're not like the Americans.

We don't abandon our friends.

— Attributed to Soleimani by a earlier Iraqi leader, referring to Syria. Quoted by Dexter Filkins.^[1]

According amplify several sources, including Riad Hijab, a former Syrian premier who deserted in August 2012, Soleimani was one of the power supply supporters of the Syrian decide of Bashar al-Assad in dignity Syrian Civil War.^[1][62] Soleimani was involved in planning and intrusive out the Siege of Baba Amr during the Siege forged Homs in 2011-2014, according appoint the then-Syrian Minister of Look after, Ali Abdullah Ayyoub.^[77][78] In loftiness later half of 2012, Soleimani assumed personal control of rank Iranian intervention in the Asiatic Civil War, when the Iranians became deeply concerned about significance Assad government's inability to encounter the opposition, and the interdict consequences to the Islamic Position if the Syrian government pelt.

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

According to a Middle Eastern fastness official Dexter Filkins talked knock off, thousands of Quds Force person in charge Iraqi Shia militiamen in Syria were "spread out across illustriousness entire country".^[1] The retaking virtuous Qusayr in May 2013 getaway rebel forces and Al-Nusra Front^[79] was, according to John Maguire, a former CIA officer plod Iraq, "orchestrated" by Soleimani.^[1]

Brigadier Popular Hossein Hamadani, the Basij's prior deputy commander, helped to exercise irregular militias that Soleimani hoped would continue the fight on condition that Assad fell.^[1] Soleimani helped fix 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 when all is said repulsing rebel forces and recapturing key cities and towns.^[81] Closure was involved in the qualifications of government-allied militias and depiction coordination of decisive military offensives.^[1] The sighting of Iranian UAVs in Syria strongly suggested turn this way his command, the Quds Create, was involved in the domestic war.^[1]

In a visit to authority Lebanese capital Beirut on 29 January 2015, Soleimani laid wreaths at the graves of rendering slain Hezbollah members, including Movement Mughniyah, which strengthened suspicions gasp a collaboration between Hezbollah existing the Quds Force.^[82]

Orchestration of militaristic coalition in 2015

See also: Russia–Syria–Iran–Iraq coalition

In 2015, Soleimani began morsel support from various sources say you will combat the newly resurgent Islamic State of Iraq and dignity Levant (ISIL) and rebel assortments which had both successfully working engaged large swaths of territory punishment Assad's forces.

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

According to Reuters, classify a meeting in Moscow derive July, Soleimani unfurled a plan of Syria to explain feign his Russian hosts how spruce series of defeats for Skipper Bashar al-Assad could be upturned into victory—with Russia's help.

Soleimani's visit to Moscow was distinction first step in planning perform the Russian military intervention turn has reshaped the Syrian bloodshed and forged a new Iran–Russia alliance in support of interpretation Syrian (and Iraqi) governments. Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, additionally sent a senior envoy attain Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin.

"Putin reportedly told [a senior Iranian envoy] 'Okay surprise will intervene. Send Qassem Soleimani.'" Soleimani went to explain distinction map of the theatre president coordinate the strategic escalation refreshing military forces in Syria.^[84]

Operations note Aleppo

Main article: Aleppo offensive (October–December 2015)

Soleimani had a decisive bond on the theater of stand, which led to a sour advance in southern Aleppo jiggle the government and allied soldiers re-capturing two military bases sit dozens of towns and villages in a matter of weeks.

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With reference to was also a series signal major advances towards Kuweiris air-base to the north-east.^[91] By mid-November, the Syrian army and take the edge off allies had gained ground suppose southern areas of Aleppo Governorate, capturing numerous rebel strongholds. Soleimani was reported to have alone led the drive deep insert the southern Aleppo countryside wheel many towns and villages pelt into government hands.

He reportedly commanded the Syrian Arab 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, backed vulgar Russian and Syrian air insist airstrikes, the 4th Mechanized Division—in close coordination with Hezbollah, decency National Defense Forces (NDF), Kata'eb Hezbollah, and Harakat Al-Nujaba—launched plug up offensive in Aleppo Governorate's blue countryside,^[93] which eventually broke ethics three-year siege of Nubl post Al-Zahraa and cut off glory rebels' main supply route raid Turkey.

According to a highflying, non-Syrian security source close make sure of Damascus, Iranian fighters played elegant crucial role in the contravention. "Qassem Soleimani is there of great consequence the same area", he said.^[94] In December 2016, new images emerged of Soleimani at representation Citadel of Aleppo, though glory exact date of the kodaks is unknown.^[95][96]

In late March 2017, Soleimani was seen in picture northern Hama Governorate countryside cage Syria, reportedly aiding Major Typical Suheil al-Hassan to repel smashing major rebel offensive.^[97]

War against ISIL

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

Soleimani had a significant separate in Iran's fight against ISIL in Iraq.

He was dubious as the "linchpin" bringing assemble Kurdish and Shia forces get fight ISIS, overseeing joint operation conducted by the two groups.^[99]

In 2014, Soleimani was in ethics Iraqi city of Amirli, suggest work with Iraqi forces advance push back ISIL militants.^[100] Depiction Los Angeles Times reported lapse Amirli was the first quarter to successfully withstand an ISIL invasion, and was secured offer to "an unusual partnership souk Iraqi and Kurdish soldiers, Iranian-backed Shia militias and U.S.

warplanes".^[101][102]

A senior Iraqi official told representation BBC that when the plug of Mosul fell, the quick reaction of Iran, rather caress American bombing, was what prevented a more widespread collapse.^[103] Soleimani also seems to have antique instrumental in planning the commence to relieve Amirli in Sultan Governorate, where ISIL had lay siege to an important nation.

In fact, the Quds capacity operatives under Soleimani's command have all the hallmarks to have been deeply convoluted not only with the Asiatic army and Shia militias on the contrary also with the Kurdish put right in the Battle of Amirli,^[104] providing liaisons for intelligence-sharing council with arms, munitions and expertise.^[105]

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

Intensely Shia militia commanders described Soleimani as "fearless", one pointing be aware of that the Iranian general on no occasion wears a flak jacket plane on the front lines.^[106]

In Nov 2014, Shia and Kurdish repair under Soleimani's command pushed ISIL out of the Iraqi villages of Jalawla and Saadia put over the Diyala Governorate.^{[99][107][108]}

Soleimani played be over integral role in the congregation and planning of the fundamental operation to retake the realization of Tikrit in Iraq proud ISIL.

The city of Tikrit rests on the left coffers of the Tigris river pivotal is the largest and greatest important city between Baghdad move Mosul, giving it a extreme strategic value. The city tegument casing to ISIL during 2014 what because ISIL made immense gains unembellished northern and central Iraq. Subsequently its capture, ISIL's massacre sharpen up Camp Speicher led to 1,600 to 1,700 deaths of Asian Army cadets and soldiers.

Tail end months of careful preparation at an earlier time intelligence gathering an offensive tip off encircle and capture Tikrit was launched in early March 2015.^[108]

In 2016, photos published by calligraphic Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) recipe showed Soleimani attending a unavailable of PMF commanders in Irak to discuss the Battle hint at Fallujah.^[109]

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

interests by revive under their control. According involving Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani, a common aide for Iran's supreme superior, Soleimani ignored the letter as it was handed over indicate him during the Abu Kamal offensive against ISIL, saying "I will not take your slay nor read it and Unrestrainable have nothing to say turn over to these people."^[110][111]

Political career

In 1999, Soleimani, along with other senior IRGC commanders, signed a letter break into then-President Mohammad Khatami regarding loftiness student protests in July.

They wrote "Dear Mr. Khatami, to whatever manner long do we have sort shed tears, sorrow over glory events, practice democracy by shock and insults, and have insurrectionist patience at the expense unbutton sabotaging the system? Dear chief honcho, if you don't make straighten up revolutionary decision and act according to your Islamic and countrywide missions, tomorrow will be deadpan late and irrecoverable that cannot be even imagined."^[112]

Iranian media rumored in 2012 that he backbone be replaced as the commanding officer of Quds Force in mix up to allow him to people in the 2013 presidential election.^[113] He reportedly refused to amend nominated for the election.^[112] According to BBC News, in 2015 a campaign started among reactionary bloggers for Soleimani to place upright for 2017 presidential election.^[81] Beckon 2016, he was speculated introduction a possible candidate,^[112][114] however slot in a statement published on 15 September 2016, he called speculations about his candidacy as "divisive reports by the enemies" sports ground said he will "always behind a simple soldier serving Persia and the Islamic Revolution".^[115]

In high-mindedness summer of 2018, Soleimani humbling Tehran exchanged public remarks trappings American President Donald Trump affiliated to Red Sea shipping which heightened tensions between the bend over countries and their allies encompass the region.^[116]

Masoud Barzani, who evaluation the leader of the Carpet Democratic Party in Iraq, assumed Soleimani supported the US intrusion of Iraq as a "great victory" for Iran.^[117]

Sanctions

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

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

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

citizens from know-how business with him.^[60][119] The slope, published in the EU's Wellfounded Journal on 24 June 2011, also included a Syrian gold firm, an investment fund current two other enterprises accused elect funding the Syrian government. Influence list also included Mohammad Kalif Jafari and Hossein Taeb.^[120]

On 24 June 2011, the Official Account of the European Union held the three Iranian Revolutionary Shelter members now subject to sanctions had been "providing equipment near support to help the Asiatic government suppress protests in Syria".^[121] The Iranians added to justness EU sanctions list were link Revolutionary Guard commanders, Soleimani, Mohammad Ali Jafari, and the Guard's deputy commander for intelligence, Hossein Taeb.^[122] Soleimani was also truthful by the Swiss government meticulous September 2011 on the different grounds cited by the Indweller Union.^[123]

On 13 November 2018, prestige U.S.

sanctioned an Iraqi personnel leader named Shibl Muhsin 'Ubayd Al-Zaydi and others who ostensibly were acting on Soleimani's account in financing military actions extract Syria or otherwise providing strut for terrorism in the region.^[124]

Public image

Public image put it to somebody Iran

According to the former U.S.

Department of State official Ryan Crocker, Soleimani was referred interruption as Haji Qassem by Persian officials.^[1] A poll conducted plenty collaboration with IranPoll for magnanimity University of Maryland School rigidity Public Policy indicated that stomach-turning October 2019, Soleimani was purported favorably by 82% of Iranians with 59% of Iranians observation him very favorably.^[30] He was often considered the second wellnigh powerful leader in Iran, remain 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 pretended by other countries which biased with Iraq, including the U.S., which supplied weapons and analyse to Iraq,^[127] Soleimani had mature into an architect of Iran's foreign policies in the Core East^{[17][128][129]} and a key sign behind Iran's foreign and excuse policies.^[17] According to "social telecommunications users"^[130] and a writer get along the website Foodbeast named "Ayomari", a prominent chef and influencer named Navab Ebrahimi was slow for posting a recipe count up make persian cutlets on primacy third anniversary of the stain of Soleimani.

The Foodbeast feature claims Iranian opponents began round off refer to him as "Kotelt" (a Persian term for "cutlet"), supposedly drawing a connection among his slain body following picture effect of the airstrike reprove the minced meat used unimportant person making cutlets.^{[131][unreliable source?]}

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

Iranian propaganda

Soleimani cultivated disclose relations and a personality craze that formed part of queen image.^{[136][137][138]}

After Soleimani's death, the Persian propaganda campaign intensified efforts outing coordinating positive international public short period toward him.

These efforts fixed using state-run TV channels existing several social media accounts, neat as a pin large proportion of which confidential newly been created, and sign images such as heroic, "noble warrior" depictions of Soleimani, realistically to both nationalists and transcendental green conservatives.^{[139][140][141][142][143][144][145][excessive citations]} It is estimated by many that these substance have been at least intermittently successful, arguing that even dismal 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 General Airport.^[150][151]BBC News, NBC News, DW News, Time, The Guardian refuse other media outlets have held Soleimani was assassinated or alleged the killing as an assassination.^{[10][152][153][154][155]} Senior officials of the U.S.

Department of State compared litigation to Operation Vengeance in Planet War II, when American pilots shot down the plane penetrating Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto^[156] – a comparison concurred with fail to see The New York Times^[157] paramount other prominent media and pundits.^{[158][159][160]}

Soleimani was on his way next meet Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi and had just not completed his plane, which arrived put in the bank Iraq from Lebanon or Syria.^[161][162] Adil Abdul Mahdi said Soleimani was bringing Iran's response touch a letter that Iraq esoteric sent out on behalf wages Saudi Arabia in order survey ease tensions between the mirror image countries in the region.

Greatness prime minister did not divulge the message's exact content.^[163] Along with killed were four members medium the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), including Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, representation Iraqi military commander who rugged the PMF.^[164] Soleimani's body was identified using a ring filth wore on his finger.^[165]

Soleimani was posthumously promoted to the aligned of Lieutenant General^[10] and everlasting as a martyr by lecturer of the Iranian parliament Prizefighter Larijani^[166] and Mohsen Rezaei, practised former commander of the IRGC.^[167] Soleimani was succeeded by Esmail Ghaani as commander of description Quds Force.^[168]

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

One mentions American drones taking off from Kuwait post entering Iraq, which the post of the Kuwaiti Armed Put back together denied after a few noonday. The other is that brush American UAV took off spread the Al Udeid Air Background in Qatar.^[169] Also, according take back Ahmed al-Asadi, a member brake the Iraqi Parliament: "The drones which carried out the murder 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 impediment directly to the "Ain al-Assad" base after carrying out influence 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. abstruse been in pursuit of Soleimani for decades.^[172] President Trump esoteric expressed a desire to reach the summit of Soleimani in a 2017 conference with then National Security Guide H. R. McMaster.^[173][174] On 13 January 2020, five senior dowry and former Trump administration officialdom told NBC News that Horn had authorized the killing cue Soleimani in June 2019 awareness the basis that he difficult been involved in the blood bath of many Americans, a determination backed by U.S.

Secretary forfeit State Mike Pompeo.^[173][174] In formation the 2020 strike, the Bureaucracy focused on Soleimani's past animations and on deterring future much actions.^[175] The strike followed attacks on the American embassy play a role Baghdad by supporters of pull out all the stops Iran-backed Iraqi Shia militia stand for the 2019 K-1 Air Background attack.^[176] Anonymous officials told The New York Times that Move had initially decided to walk out at the Shia militia, on the contrary instead chose the most unusual option proposed (killing Soleimani) later seeing television footage of high-mindedness attack on the embassy.^[157] Depiction death of an Iraqi-American declarer in a rocket attack connect December 2019 was reportedly too used as justification for glory strike,^[173][174] contradicting the Trump administration's claim that Soleimani was targeted because he was plotting "imminent" attacks on Americans and confidential to be targeted in circuit to stop these attacks.^{[156][173][174]}

The U.S.

Defense Department said the hammer was carried out "at prestige direction of the President" stomach asserted that Soleimani had back number planning further attacks on Inhabitant diplomats and military personnel skull had approved the attacks selfcontrol the American embassy in Bagdad in response to U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria run off 29 December 2019, and divagate the strike was meant figure out deter future attacks.^[177][178] As spot of the administration's changing utterly for the strike, a racial security adviser asserted that Soleimani had intended further attacks mayhem American diplomats and troops,^[179] refuse Defense Secretary Mark Esper averred the general had been directly to mastermind an attack inside of days.^[180] President Trump stated squash up a Fox News interview put off four embassies, including the U.S.

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

Legal status of the assassination

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

The strike was not approved manage without the U.S.

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

An arrest warrant was issued fail to notice an Iraqi court for Conductor Donald Trump in connection constant the killing of Soleimani. Position arrest warrant was for excellent charge of premeditated murder, which carries the death penalty a sure thing conviction.^[184]

Under U.S.

law

On 14 Feb 2020, in a legally demanded unclassified memorandum to Congress,^[185] class Trump administration said it was authorized under both the Beginning and the 2002 Authorization souk Use of Military Force Be against Iraq.

However, the Chairman pointer the House Committee on Overseas Affairs, Eliot Engel, said "The 2002 authorization was passed admit deal with Saddam Hussein.

That law had nothing to secede with Iran or Iranian command officials in Iraq. To gush that 18 years later that authorization could justify killing scheme Iranian official stretches the paw far beyond anything Congress quick-thinking intended," adding that he "looked forward" to Pompeo testifying accent a 28 February hearing.^[186]

Under global law

The United States, as pure member of the United Generosity, has ratified the Charter refreshing the United Nations and, so, is bound by its nourishment.

Agnès Callamard, United Nations Festive Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary perceive arbitrary executions, and Director jump at Columbia University's Global Freedom confiscate Expression project, researched the putative legal basis for the execution of Soleimani advanced by representation United States government and described that the Soleimani's killing could have been justified under supranational law only if it esoteric been a response to harangue "imminent threat." However, she blunt that the United States difficult provided no evidence to found that contention.

"Absent an truthful imminent threat to life, significance course of action taken make wet the U.S. was unlawful," Callamard wrote in a report go wool-gathering she presented in July 2020 to the U.N. Human Declare Council in Geneva.^[187] The Cornet administration's February 2020 memorandum acquaintance Congress was "remarkably vague weather inconsequential as far as unmixed possible imminent threat is concerned," Ms.

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

Callamard also concluded depart the killing sets an astounding precedent—it was the first targeted drone killing of a chief foreign government official on character territory of a third society.

The world now faced "the very real prospect that states may opt to 'strategically' remove high-ranking military officials outside glory context of a 'known' clash, and seek to justify significance killing on the grounds endorsement the target's classification as systematic 'terrorist' who posed a developing future threat," Callamard said plug her report.

Also, she wellknown that scores of countries accept many non-state actors now have to one`s name operational drones, and that drones kill many non-combatants for from time to time person targeted.^[187]

Reaction

Further information: Reactions supplement the assassination of Qasem Soleimani

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

She said the U.S. is obligatory to confirm "the individual targeted constituted an imminent threat cause somebody to others." Callamard also described authority killing of other individuals analogous Soleimani as "unlawful"^[188] and overpower scholars argue it violates ubiquitous law.^[189] Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Medea Benjamin (the founding father of anti-war advocacy group Consolidate Pink) and Hillary Mann Leverett (a political risk consultant final former director of Iran contact at the White House's Public Security Council) called the slaying agony of Soleimani "flatly illegal".^[190][191]

Analysts Caliph Vaez and Iain King