Iraqis 'dancing in streets' over death of Iran's Gen Soleimani, claims US' Mike Pompeo

After Iran and US confirmed death of top Iranian Commander Qasem Soleimani by a Pentagon strike on Baghd's international airport, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo sharing a video of people holding a rally said that Iraqis are celebrating death of Iran's elite Quds Force chief, General Qassem Soleimani, by "dancing in street." In 22-second video which Pompeo shared on Twitter, people are seen running on a ro carrying a several meter-long Iraq national flag. video is of some unspecified location in Iraq. 

Besides Soleimani, Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and five ors were also killed in US airstrike at Baghd's international airport, reported Iraqi officials and state television. White House and Pentagon confirmed death of Iran's powerful military he by saying that attack was directed by US President Donald Trump on January 3. To assert furr, US President posted a picture of country's flag on his Twitter account. 

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"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and wounding of thousands more," Department of Defense said.

Who was General Soleimani?

Soleimani's IRGC, which was designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by Donald Trump in April last year, backed Syrian President Bashar al-Ass in 2011 civil war and to battle Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIS). Soleimani h been rumoured de several times, including in a 2006 airplane crash that killed or military officials in rthwestern Iran and following a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of Ass. Rumours circulated in vember 2015 that Soleimani was killed or seriously wounded leing forces loyal to Ass as y fought around Syria’s Aleppo.

attack came amid tensions with United States after a New Year’s Eve attack by Iran-backed militias on U.S. Embassy in Baghd. two-day embassy attack which ended Wednesday prompted President Donald Trump to order about 750 U.S. soldiers deployed to Middle East. However, tensions between US-Iran take root in Trump’s decision in May 2018 to withdraw U.S. from Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers, struck under his predecessor.

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