US strike kills Iranian Quds Force commander

[UNCjigga]

Not clear yet who carried out the attack—some outlets are saying US military confirmed it as a drone strike, other sites are saying the rockets were Katyushas.

This could be bigger than nailing Bin Laden, both in terms of target’s value to US as well as likely repercussions from Iran and its proxies.
—

Newsweek: Two senior Iraqi militia officials and the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Quds Force has been killed in a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad International Airport in what appeared to be the latest escalation following a week of unrest and bloodshed across the country.

Mohammed Redha al-Jabri, head of protocol of Iraq's state-sponsored Popular Mobilization Forces, was killed Thursday "along with three guests accompanying him," the Popular Mobilization Forces, also known as Al-Hashed Al-Shaabi, told Newsweek.

A senior Pentagon official then confirmed to Newsweek that Muhandis was indeed killed, along with Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, pending DNA results that had a "high probability" of identifying the two men as the targets.

Shortly after, the Popular Mobilization Forces confirmed to Newsweek "the martyrdom of deputy head of Al-Hashed, Haj Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in an American strike that targeted their vehicles on the road of Baghdad International Airport."

WaPo: BREAKING: It was not clear who carried out the strike, but the death of Soleimani, the Iranian Quds Force commander, seems certain to send tensions soaring between the United States and Iran. This story will be updated.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/defense-secretary-says-iran-and-its-proxies-may-be-planning-fresh-attacks-on-us-personnel-in-iraq/2020/01/02/53b63f00-2d89-11ea-bcb3-ac6482c4a92f_story.html

Trump Orders Drone Strike Killing Iranian General Who Had 'Plans to Attack'

In a significant escalation of hostilities that raised the risk of war with Iran, a U.S. operation killed Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani.

www.newsweek.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1212903067005394944

 

[BoomerD]

Gas prices have been on the decline...time to kick up unrest in the middle east...

 

[UNCjigga]

“Suleimani has lots of blood on his hands. So did Saddam Hussein. And assassinating him is the single most reckless act of American foreign policy since the Iraq War.”

https://twitter.com/x/status/1212918154122452992

 

[Jhhnn]

Not clear yet who carried out the attack—some outlets are saying US military confirmed it as a drone strike, other sites are saying the rockets were Katyushas.

This could be bigger than nailing Bin Laden, both in terms of target’s value to US as well as likely repercussions from Iran and its proxies.
—

Newsweek: Two senior Iraqi militia officials and the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Quds Force has been killed in a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad International Airport in what appeared to be the latest escalation following a week of unrest and bloodshed across the country.

Mohammed Redha al-Jabri, head of protocol of Iraq's state-sponsored Popular Mobilization Forces, was killed Thursday "along with three guests accompanying him," the Popular Mobilization Forces, also known as Al-Hashed Al-Shaabi, told Newsweek.

A senior Pentagon official then confirmed to Newsweek that Muhandis was indeed killed, along with Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, pending DNA results that had a "high probability" of identifying the two men as the targets.

Shortly after, the Popular Mobilization Forces confirmed to Newsweek "the martyrdom of deputy head of Al-Hashed, Haj Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in an American strike that targeted their vehicles on the road of Baghdad International Airport."

WaPo: BREAKING: It was not clear who carried out the strike, but the death of Soleimani, the Iranian Quds Force commander, seems certain to send tensions soaring between the United States and Iran. This story will be updated.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/defense-secretary-says-iran-and-its-proxies-may-be-planning-fresh-attacks-on-us-personnel-in-iraq/2020/01/02/53b63f00-2d89-11ea-bcb3-ac6482c4a92f_story.html

Trump Orders Drone Strike Killing Iranian General Who Had 'Plans to Attack'

In a significant escalation of hostilities that raised the risk of war with Iran, a U.S. operation killed Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani.

www.newsweek.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1212903067005394944

One of the people killed was the head of the PMF, the Iraqi state sponsored militias-

Iran’s Qassem Soleimani killed in US air raid at Baghdad airport

Pre-dawn raid also killed Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a major escalation of regional tensions.

www.aljazeera.com

Popular Mobilization Forces - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

So now we're killing Iraqi govt officials. Peachy for them, I'm sure.

 

[UNCjigga]

One of the people killed was the head of the PMF, the Iraqi state sponsored militias-

Iran’s Qassem Soleimani killed in US air raid at Baghdad airport

Pre-dawn raid also killed Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a major escalation of regional tensions.

www.aljazeera.com

Popular Mobilization Forces - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

So now we're killing Iraqi govt officials. Peachy for them, I'm sure.

Agreed, but aren’t you the least bit curious about what he and another Iraqi military official were doing meeting with the spiritual leader of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard on Iraqi soil??

 

[Jaskalas]

This is the single worst thing the United States has done since the Iraq war - and depending on the escalation that follows it could prove to be far worse. This is the sort of act of war one would expect from a rogue state. To assassinate military personnel of a nation that we ARE NOT at war with. On the foreign soil of a host nation whose permission we do not have, whose hospitality we have violated, and whose airport we have bombed.

This act is a shock to the world order. A shock to world peace. And the violence that follows is being cheered HEAVILY by Fox News and Republicans this night.

 

[UNCjigga]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1212923549641519104

Iraqi forces are surrounding the Green Zone to secure it...rocket strikes anticipated. Really hope we deployed a version of Israel’s Iron Dome before this major drone strike.

 

[Jhhnn]

Agreed, but aren’t you the least bit curious about what he and another Iraqi military official were doing meeting with the spiritual leader of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard on Iraqi soil??

Please. Quds forces have been advisors to the Iraqi militias for years with the full blessing & support of the Iraqi govt.

 

[Jhhnn]

This is the single worst thing the United States has done since the Iraq war - and depending on the escalation that follows it could prove to be far worse. This is the sort of act of war one would expect from a rogue state. To assassinate military personnel of a nation that we ARE NOT at war with. On the foreign soil of a host nation whose permission we do not have, whose hospitality we have violated, and whose airport we have bombed.

This act is a shock to the world order. A shock to world peace. And the violence that follows is being cheered HEAVILY by Fox News and Republicans this night.

Well, one way to get out of Syria & Iraq is for the Iraqis to get sick of our shit & toss us out.

 

[Jaskalas]

Please. Quds forces have been advisors to the Iraqi militias for years with the full blessing & support of the Iraqi govt.

Those Iranian forces are the HEROES of Iraq's military conquest over ISIS.

I expect great violence to follow our war crime.

 

[JSt0rm]

elect a republican and you are voting for war. Im sure trump wants to be at war for the election. "war time president" and all. Imagine being some 20 yo kid dying in the sand for president bone spurs reelection.

 

[JSt0rm]

never join the military.

 

[BoomerD]

I've advocated raining nuclear fire in Iran ever since the hostage taking 40 years ago...but, IMO, this ain't the way to start it.

Please. Quds forces have been advisors to the Iraqi militias for years with the full blessing & support of the Iraqi govt.

We kicked their asses once...when the Iraqi military laid down their weapons and disappeared into the desert...to reappear as Al Queda and insurgents...I suspect we could do it again, but we're NOT currently geared up for it. (and I DO NOT want to send more US troops to die there.)

Well, one way to get out of Syria & Iraq is for the Iraqis to get sick of our shit & toss us out.

I'm not too sure Iraq could just toss us out. We've given them back control of their country...but that's tenuous at best.

 

[UNCjigga]

Well, I guess this makes it a lot harder for Dem candidates to promise bringing back the Iran deal. Trump scores again!

 

[BoomerD]

never join the military.

if enough of our young people refuse to join, out existing troops will get worn out...and the (R)'s will find a way to reinstate a national draft.

 

[DisarmedDespot]

B-b-but Hillary was gonna drag us into more wars!1!!!

So much from Trump's isolationism.

 

[Jhhnn]

Those Iranian forces are the HEROES of Iraq's military conquest over ISIS.

I expect great violence to follow our war crime.

To label them as Iranian isn't correct. They're Iraqis with Quds advisors & some material support as well. As you say, they're heroes to a lot of Iraqis. Patriots.

 

[randay]

elect a republican and you are voting for war. Im sure trump wants to be at war for the election. "war time president" and all. Imagine being some 20 yo kid dying in the sand for president bone spurs reelection.

just wait till the press conference. "it was like a movie" "they died like dogs, wimpering cowardly dogs"

 

[Ajay]

Agreed, but aren’t you the least bit curious about what he and another Iraqi military official were doing meeting with the spiritual leader of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard on Iraqi soil??

Yes, but more curious as to why now? Iraq isn’t too keen on being between Iran and Saudi Arabia and has been leaning towards Iran for a while. We are stuck defending the house of Saud based on a 60(?) year old agreement. Awesome. Now the Trump admin commits even deeper to 'cold' war between the two opposing powers. We just can’t seem to get out of this fucking mire. Nance's comment scares the shit out of me.

 

[UNCjigga]

Pentagon statement makes it very clear this was a US attack carried out “at the direction of the President”.

 

[Jhhnn]

I've advocated raining nuclear fire in Iran ever since the hostage taking 40 years ago...but, IMO, this ain't the way to start it.




We kicked their asses once...when the Iraqi military laid down their weapons and disappeared into the desert...to reappear as Al Queda and insurgents...I suspect we could do it again, but we're NOT currently geared up for it. (and I DO NOT want to send more US troops to die there.)



I'm not too sure Iraq could just toss us out. We've given them back control of their country...but that's tenuous at best.

And what happens when the Iraqi govt says they're sick of our shit & that we need to leave? When they refuse to cooperate? We're practically forcing them to do it. Will we bomb them into submission, or what?

 

[UNCjigga]

Reading this now—didn’t realize how much of a player this guy was (not a household name for most Americans I imagine):

The Shadow Commander

Dexter Filkins’s 2013 Profile of Qassem Suleimani, whom a former C.I.A. officer called “the single most powerful operative in the Middle East.”

www.newyorker.com

 

[Ajay]

And what happens when the Iraqi govt says they're sick of our shit & that we need to leave? When they refuse to cooperate? We're practically forcing them to do it. Will we bomb them into submission, or what?

We are just pushing them closer to Iran, which, ofc, is dumb. Trump is 100% sold on beating on Iran, whatever the cost.

 

[ewdotson]

Well, on one hand, Suleimani was an evil SOB the world is better off without. On the other hand, this is a genuine act-of-war level event on par with a foreign state assassinating VPOTUS. (I mean, in terms of what it means to the Iranians. Not in absolute terms, obviously.) This is genuinely scary.

 

[UNCjigga]

Prediction—Israel will be quick to rally around Netanyahu and give him the immunity he desires.