Machibet LiveMoment Iranian general Qasem Soleimani is ‘torn to shreds’ by US Reaper drone moments after he landed in Baghdad – The Sun | The Sun - Machibet Casino

THIS is said to be the dramatic moment US drones assassinated a top Iranian general as he left Baghdad airport this morning.

The grainy video, allegedly taken by Baghdad locals, shows missiles striking the cars of Major General Qasem Soleimani, two Islamic Revolutionary Guard generals and five Iraqis as they left the airport.

The footage captures the moment that the convoy is hit

Qasem Soleimani was identified by the ring on his handCredit: PA:Press Association

Soleimani wearing a similar ring to the one recovered from the sceneCredit: EPA

Soleimani - said to be Iran's second most powerful figure - could later only be identified by the ring on his severed hand.

President Donald Trump called for the attack on Soleimani after claims that he was plotting against American diplomats in Iraq.

On Friday, Soleimani arrived at Baghdad Airport by plane and was escorted from the airport by Iraqi allies in a two-car convoy.

It was then that the vehicles were stalked by a US MQ9 Reaper drone which was being controlled remotely.

At least two missiles were fired at the vehicles - killing the general and others on board and leaving both cars burned to the ground.

Grainy footage shows the missile strike outside Baghdad Airport

The explosions completely decimate the cars

The two missiles hit the cargo area of Baghdad airport shortly after midnight. The first hit a vehicle carrying General Soleimani and MuhandisCredit: Reuters

General Qasem Soleimani, the powerful leader of Iran's elite Quds Force, was killed by an airstrike at Baghdad International AirportCredit: Iraq Security Media Cell

Donald Trump taunted Iran in the wake of the attack today by saying Soleimani should have been 'taken out many years ago' on Twitter.

It comes as Iran's defence minister, Amir Hatami, has threatened the US with "crushing revenge" and "a bloody jihad" in retaliation for General Qasem Soleimani's "unjust assassination".

The drone strike came days after protesters attacked the US embassy in Baghdad, clashing with US forces at the scene.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said "severe revenge awaits the criminals" behind the attack as he announced three days of public mourning.

"All friends—& enemies—know that Jihad of Resistance will continue with more motivation & definite victory awaits the fighters on this blessed path. The loss of our dear General is bitter. The continuing fight & ultimate victory will be more bitter for the murderers & criminals.'

'DANGEROUS ESCALATION'

Iran's foreign minister, Javad Zarif, described the strike as an act of "international terrorism."

He tweeted: "The US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani - THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al—is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation.

"The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism."

Adding more fuel to the fire, Trump tweeted again just before 2pm: "General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught!

"He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of protesters killed in Iran itself.

"While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!"

At just after 3pm today he tweeted again: "The United States has paid Iraq Billions of Dollars a year, for many years. That is on top of all else we have done for them.

"The people of Iraq don’t want to be dominated & controlled by Iran, but ultimately, that is their choice. Over the last 15 years, Iran has gained more and more control over Iraq, and the people of Iraq are not happy with that. It will never end well!"

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi condemned the "assassination" of Gen Soleimani and said the air strike was an act of aggression that that would lead to war in Iraq, the region and the world.

He said the men killed were "major symbols in achieving victory against" ISIS terrorists.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, long supported by Iran, condemned what it called "criminal" US aggression.

DIPLOMATIC NIGHTMARE

Boris Johnson reportedly had no forewarning about the Soleimani strike from Mr Trump, despite significant UK interests and 1,400 military personnel in Iraq and Syria.

Mr Johnson has been spending his Christmas break in sunnier climes - but could face calls to return to Westminster after MPs blasted the drone strike as "reckless".

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has urged "all parties to de-escalate", adding: "Further conflict is in none of our interests."

According to Andrew deGrandpre, Deputy national security editor for the Washington Post, discussion of the Soleimani operation began last week.

He wrote: "A U.S official said discussion of the strike began after the contractor's death.

"On Wednesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo abruptly cancelled a planned trip to Eastern Europe, citing the need to stay in Washington 'to continue monitoring the ongoing situation in Iraq and ensure the safety and security of Americans in the Middle East.'"

Officials said they were taking steps to defend Americans however the US Foreign office has told all westerners to evacuate the Middle East.

"We're well aware of the possibility of an Iranian response," one official said.

DEMOCRAT OUTRAGE

Democrats took aim at Trump's decision as they responded to the drone strike.

Former Vice President Joe Biden said : "Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox, and he owes the American people an explanation of the strategy...much remains unknown, but Iran will surely respond. We could be on the brink of a major conflict across the Middle East."

Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren wrote : "Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the administration conducted the airstrike without consultation of Congress or an authorisation for use of military force against Iran.

She said it risked provoking a dangerous escalation in violence.

Bernie Sanders pointed to the approximately 4,500 American lives that have already been lost in the Middle East.

He said : "Trump's dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars.

"Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one."

Gen Soleimani pictured. President Trump, who was in Florida at the time of the attack, tweeted an image of an American flag shortly after the news brokeCredit: AP:Associated Press

Locals in Tehran display horrific scenes of outrage as they burn American and British flagsCredit: Reuters

WHO WAS QASEM SOLEIMANI?

Gen Soleimani was widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran behind Ayatollah Khamenei. His killing marks a major escalation in tensions between the US and Iran.

The 62-year-old was commander of the Quds Force since 1998, the elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, which the Trump administration designated as a terror organisation in April last year.

He kept a low profile for years while he strengthened Iran's ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria's government and Shiite militia groups in Iraq.

He was known as 'The Shadow Commander' by his enemies, spending most of his career as a recluse and a spook.

The Quds Force, tasked with carrying out operations beyond Iran's borders, shored up support for Syria's Assad when he looked close to defeat in the civil war raging since 2011 and also helped defeat ISIS in Iraq.

Former CIA officer John Maguire said Soleimani was "the single most powerful operative in the Middle East".

Soleimani had survived several assassination attempts against him by Western, Israeli and Arab agencies over the past two decades.

The Trump administration designed Soleimani's Quds Force as a terror organisation in April last year.

He was the second most powerful person in Iran behind the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the time of his assassination.

He was hailed as a national hero by many in Iran and was awarded the Order of Zolfiqar medal, Iran's highest military honour, last year.

PENTAGON JUSTIFIES THE ATTACK

The Pentagon justified the assassination, saying Gen Soleimani was "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region".

Dalia Dassa Kaye, an Iran expert at Rand Corporation, a US think-tank, tweeted: "The notion that President Trump doesn't want war with Iran rings hollow if this was a deliberate attack.

"Killing this target will likely be viewed as an act of war regardless."

Former Middle East minister Alistair Burt said the airstrike could cause "a huge potential escalation" of the conflict, of which "the consequences are unknown".

Soleimani's killing follows the New Year's Eve attack by Iran-backed militias on the US Embassy in Baghdad.

The two-day embassy attack, which ended on Wednesday, prompted Mr Trump to order about 750 US troops deployed to the Middle East.

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