US kills top Iran commander
Credit to Author: Xinhua| Date: Fri, 03 Jan 2020 16:14:55 +0000
BAGHDAD: An attack near Baghdad International Airport on Friday has killed senior Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhamdis, the deputy chief of Iraq’s paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces.
A security source and lawmaker anonymously told Xinhua that “eight people, including Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, were killed in the attack on a military base near Baghdad International Airport.”
Previous reports said three rockets targeting the airport struck two vehicles nearby, killing at least seven people, including five Iraqi militia members and “two guests” in the cars.
Two of the deaths were Iranian nationals, the source confirmed to Xinhua.
The Iraqi state TV additionally reported that Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, was among the killed.
It is reported that the US Department of Defense has announced that the United States forces had conducted a strike that killed Soleimani.
According to the Iranian News Agency (IRNA), the IRGC has issued a statement confirming the death of Soleimani, saying, “Honorable Commander of Islam Qasem Soleimani was martyred after US airstrike today.”
Soleimani has once said the IRGC forces would be able to deal with any war with the US.
Al-Muhandis is one of the Iran-backed paramilitary leaders in Iraq. He is the de facto commander of the Hashd Shaabi forces in Iraq and heads the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades.
After the attack, parliament lawmaker Mish’aan al-Jubouri, who has a close relationship with al-Muhamdis, said in a tweet: “I mourn the brother, the rebellious, the dear and loyal friend who I have always watched him defying the death.”
The attack came after supporters of the Hashd Shaabi militias stormed on Tuesday the perimeter of the US Embassy in Baghdad.
Local media aired photos showing al-Muhandis participating in the protest with Qais al-Khazali, head of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq (League of the Righteous) militia, and top Hashd Shaabi leader Hadi Al Amri.
On Sunday evening, US forces bombarded the headquarters of Hashd Shaabi’s 45th and 46th Brigades, leaving 25 killed and 51 injured.
Xinhua