U.S. strike kills Iran Quds Force commander Soleimani - Pentagon

[webfact]

U.S. strike kills Iran Quds Force commander Soleimani - Pentagon

 

FILE PHOTO: Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commander Qassem Soleimani stands at the frontline during offensive operations against Islamic State militants in the town of Tal Ksaiba in Salahuddin province March 8, 2015. Stringer via REUTERS/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. strike killed Iran Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani, the Pentagon said on Thursday, adding that Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack Americans in Iraq and the Middle East.

 

"At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani," a Pentagon statement said.

 

"This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans," it said, adding that the United States would continue to take necessary action to protect Americans and interests around the world.

 

The Pentagon statement said that Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past few months and approved the "attacks" on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.

 

U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Soleimani had been killed in a drone strike in Baghdad.

 

One U.S. official said that Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also believed to have been killed in the strike, though he was not the primary target.

 

The official said it was aware of the possibility of an Iranian response and U.S. military officials were ready to defend themselves. The official did not rule out additional U.S. troops or military assets going to the region.

 

(Reporting by Idrees Ali, Eric Beech and Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-02

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[Bluespunk]

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans," it said

Yeah, that’s going to work. 

[thasoss]

6 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

Yeah, that’s going to work. 

you are correct...but some response had to be forthcoming,at least it didn't result in thousands of innocent civilian lives being lost...left to the likes of bolton a different outcome for sure.

[ezzra]

It could have been a payback for the missiles attack on the Saudis oil fields a while back, and whoever gave the greenlight for the attack to eliminate this guy and his cohorts were biding their time for the right day and the right moment, the man was known as a orchestrator, planner and executioner of many operations whereby tens of thousands of people all over the world have lost their lives, homes and future, and until now he managed to survive several attempts on his life, not this time though, he was sent to meet him make together with other high ranking officials, it is undoubtedly a big loss and embarrassments to Iran and it’s many proxies to lose such high profile commander and big a timely boost for those who saw him as someone that need to be taken out… alas, he knew he has a bullseye zeroed on him for long time now and it was only a matter of time…

Edited January 3, 2020 by ezzra

[Brigand]

This guy was certainly an enemy of the US and more than likely deserved it. Question is about whether this was an assassination of a political/military figure without the approval of Congress (which I believe is needed for such actions). Although, when dealing with the actors here it is certainly 6 of one and half a dozen of the other as Iran is up to no good and is doing a fine job of also destabilizing the whole region too. Very dangerous situation now and wouldn't be surprised if it kicks off a bit.

Edited January 3, 2020 by Brigand

[Puchaiyank]

It is somewhat troubling that I can not muster any empathy for the dispatched leader of Iranian bomb makers...

[jimmyyy]

Can't say the world won't be a better place without this animal

[BobBKK]

7 minutes ago, Brigand said:

This guy was certainly an enemy of the US and more than likely deserved it. Question is about whether this was an assassination of a political/military figure without the approval of Congress (which I believe is needed for such actions). Although, when dealing with the actors here it is certainly 6 of one and half a dozen of the other as Iran is up to no good and is doing a fine job of also destabilizing the whole region too. Very dangerous situation now and wouldn't be surprised if it kicks off a bit.

Yea let's go to congress and announce the strike and hope they don't notice? 

 

[BobBKK]

22 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

Yeah, that’s going to work. 

Could do - they are fundamentalist scum, but personally I'd shut the embassy and if they attack simply take them out one by one. No more long and protracted ground wars.

[Bluespunk]

5 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

Could do - they are fundamentalist scum, but personally I'd shut the embassy and if they attack simply take them out one by one. No more long and protracted ground wars.

fundamentalists are not particularly well know for their restraint and backing down when they feel they are under attack. 

Edited January 3, 2020 by Bluespunk

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

I suspect his replacement will be less dismissive of any letters from Pompeo.

 

"CIA's chief, Mike Pompeo, said that he sent Soleimani and other Iranian leaders a letter holding them responsible for any attacks on US interests by forces under their control. According to Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani, a senior aide for the country's supreme leader, Soleimani ignored the letter when it was handed over to him while he was in the Abu Kamal offensive against ISIL, saying "I will not take your letter nor read it and I have nothing to say to these people."

[gamb00ler]

16 minutes ago, Puchaiyank said:

It is somewhat troubling that I can not muster any empathy for the dispatched leader of Iranian bomb makers...

I felt better after I heard that Pompeo warned him in a letter. ????

[neeray]

Tit for tat has begun. From here, it is sure to escalate.

[BobBKK]

6 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

fundamentalists are not particularly well know for their restraint and backing down when they feel they are under attack. 

That is true but these people just do not understand weakness and are brainwashed to hate USA etc.  strong defence is the only solution not sending Billions in dollars in a cargo plane. Keep them caged up in Iran/Iraq where they can live their lives doing what they will. Attacking the US embassy must have a response or it goes to the next Benghazi level. Shut it down and isolate them.

[Eric Loh]

So the world is safer now. North Korea has not even started. 

[CGW]

21 minutes ago, jimmyyy said:

Can't say the world won't be a better place without this animal

In what way?

[bendejo]

Bad timing politically.  Body bags don't make for good presidential campaign material for the incumbent.

 

 

[thasoss]

29 minutes ago, Puchaiyank said:

It is somewhat troubling that I can not muster any empathy for the dispatched leader of Iranian bomb makers...

not troubling at all!

[thasoss]

2 minutes ago, bendejo said:

Bad timing politically.  Body bags don't make for good presidential campaign material for the incumbent.

 

 

depends,this strike will boost Trump,but what follows may not.

 

[bristolboy]

Has anyone but me noticed this?

"One U.S. official said that Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also believed to have been killed in the strike, though he was not the primary target."

Even if the Iranians do nothing which is unlikely, does anybody think that Iraqis won't take matters into their own hands?

[bristolboy]

32 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

Could do - they are fundamentalist scum, but personally I'd shut the embassy and if they attack simply take them out one by one. No more long and protracted ground wars.

Good thing that there aren't any vulnerable American troops on the ground in Iraq. Otherwise, that might be a problem.

[Bluespunk]

“There's never been a true war that wasn't fought between two sets of people who were certain they were in the right. The really dangerous people believe they are doing whatever they are doing solely and only because it is without question the right thing to do. And that is what makes them dangerous.”

 

Neil Gaiman, American Gods

[metisdead]

An off topic deflection post has been removed. 

[rabas]

7 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

Has anyone but me noticed this?

"One U.S. official said that Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also believed to have been killed in the strike, though he was not the primary target."

Even if the Iranians do nothing which is unlikely, does anybody think that Iraqis won't take matters into their own hands?

He went to meet Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani when his plane arrived at the airport. They got in a car and were immediately hit by 2 missiles. One can only assume the two were planning more attacks. Good intelligence.

 

[Eric Loh]

38 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

Could do - they are fundamentalist scum, but personally I'd shut the embassy and if they attack simply take them out one by one. No more long and protracted ground wars.

One man fundamentalist scum is another man patriot against a occupying foreign force. You take one they take one. Ultimately which one can tolerate body bags threshold. 

[CNXexpat]

Now I am waiting that the Iran military kills a US General because he is involved in plans to attack Iran. 

[neeray]

27 minutes ago, bendejo said:

Bad timing politically.  Body bags don't make for good presidential campaign material for the incumbent.

 

 

But the incumbent wouldn't have thought that one out.

[spidermike007]

This was a stunningly stupid move. How would the US react if the Joint Chief of staff was killed? Dumb and dumber. Trump just does not get it. This could very well be his undoing. 

[fvw53]

30 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

So the world is safer now. North Korea has not even started. 

This is a Sunni - Shiite religious confrontation similar to the Catholic - Protestant wars in Europe nearly 400 years ago.

I am afraid it will become the same mess which happened after the removal of Saddam Hussein and G.W Bush considering it as "Mission Accomplished". 

Remember (Sunni) Saddam was an arch enemy of Shiite Khomeini and they went to a bloody war during 10 years. 

The removal of Saddam by the USA enabled a return to power of the Shiites's in Iraq :   this country is more than 60% Shia and this will not change with the assassination of top Shiite commander.

 

[Odysseus123]

3 minutes ago, fvw53 said:

This is a Sunni - Shiite religious confrontation similar to the Catholic - Protestant wars in Europe nearly 400 years ago.

I am afraid it will become the same mess which happened after the removal of Saddam Hussein and G.W Bush considering it as "Mission Accomplished". 

Remember (Sunni) Saddam was an arch enemy of Shiite Khomeini and they went to a bloody war during 10 years. 

The removal of Saddam by the USA enabled a return to power of the Shiites's in Iraq :   this country is more than 60% Shia and this will not change with the assassination of top Shiite commander.

 

Yes...well posted