Qasem Soleimani: Difference between revisions
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'''Qasem Soleimani''' (March 11<sup>th</sup>, 1957 – January 3<sup>rd</sup>, 2020) was an Iranian general who was the commander of the Iranian Quds Force, the branch of the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] (IRGC) which dealt with proxy warfare. He has often named the mastermind of Iranian proxy warfare in the Middle East, thus, expanding Iran’s influence in the region. Sources have also called him the ''de facto'' second most powerful person in Iran after Supreme Leader [[Ali Khamenei]], whom he had a close relationship with. | '''Qasem Soleimani''' (March 11<sup>th</sup>, 1957 – January 3<sup>rd</sup>, 2020) was an Iranian general who was the commander of the Iranian Quds Force, the branch of the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] (IRGC) which dealt with proxy warfare. He has often named the mastermind of Iranian proxy warfare in the Middle East, thus, expanding Iran’s influence in the region. Sources have also called him the ''de facto'' second most powerful person in Iran after Supreme Leader [[Ali Khamenei]], whom he had a close relationship with. | ||
Soleimani began his military career in the late 1970s at the time of the Revolution and right before the Iran-Iraq War, fighting against [[Ba'ath Party| | Soleimani began his military career in the late 1970s at the time of the Revolution and right before the Iran-Iraq War, fighting against [[Ba'ath Party|Ba'athist]] Iraq under [[Saddam Hussein]]. In 1998, he became the head of the Quds Force. He provided support to [[Hezbollah]] in Lebanon as well as supported [[Bashar al-Assad]] in Syria, fighting against [[ISIS]] as well as Syrian opposition. His army also armed the [[Houthis]] in Yemen. Soleimani also armed Baloch separatists in Balochistan around the border of Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. | ||
==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
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In 2001, the Quds Force under him intended to work with the U.S. government to fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan but plans fell through in early 2002 when President George W. Bush added Iran to its "Axis of Evil" list. | In 2001, the Quds Force under him intended to work with the U.S. government to fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan but plans fell through in early 2002 when President George W. Bush added Iran to its "Axis of Evil" list. | ||
===Death=== | ===Death=== | ||
Soleimani was killed by an American drone strike in Baghdad's International Airport | Soleimani was killed by an American drone strike in Baghdad's International Airport on the orders of U.S. President [[Donald Trump]], which has resulted in further tensions with Iran and the United States. Soleimani was on his way to meet with the Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi. Some believe the motive for the assassination was "payback" for the unrest of the [[2019-20 US embassy attack]]. The strike killed 10 total, including [[Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis]], Deputy Chairman of the Iraqi militia force [[Popular Mobilization Forces]] (PMF), who has been a wanted figure by several countries including the United States for nearly 4 decades. The attack was extremely controversial, as many have accused it of being reckless in the United States, possibly leading to war. The Iraqi government threatened the United States to remove its forces from the country in the aftermath of his death. Figures such as former National Security Advisor John Bolton, however, defended the attacks, believing it would lead to regime change. It was almost universally condemned in Iran, and many memorials have been held in Iran and other countries. Some countries, including parts of Lebanon and Iraq celebrated his death. Khamenei, along with many Iranian ministers, have muttered vengeful remarks. The attacks have many to fear a larger conflict, and some feared a World War III would occur. His funeral was described as the largest in Iran since the funeral of Khomeini in 1989, with a stampede occurring on 7 January that killed 56 and injured 200. He was buried in his hometown of Kerman. | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== |