US Strikes Again: Iraq Braves Another Air Strike Hour Ahead Of Funeral Procession Of Soleimani

A fresh air strike ahead took place hours after the precision drone strike by the US in Baghdad on Friday. The earlier strike killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary heavyweight Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Timing of the fresh attack

The bombardment took place in north of Baghdad and the Iraqi television reported it was a US air strike. But there was no comment from the US according to AFP. The AFP further reported that the fresh air strike left “dead and wounded”.

Elaborate mourning procession

A procession was planned to take the bodies of the slain military leaders for a state funeral in Baghdad and to the holy shrine city of Najaf. The mortal remains of the guards would be taken to Iran that had declared three-day mourning for Soleimani. Tehran had also announced Soleimani’s deputy, Esmail Qaani to be his successor.

Tehran leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised “severe revenge” before tens of thousands of protestors that touched US flags and chanted “death to America”.

The US hailed the killing

US President Donald Trump that he decided to kill Soleimani after learning that the latter was prepared to attack US diplomats and troops. He further said that the US took the action to stop war and not to start a war.

But hours after the Trump’s statement, Pentagon said that the US would send approximately 3,500 troops from the 82nd Airborne Divisions Global Response Force to Kuwait. Around 750 troops had already reached Baghdad to reinforce the US embassy.

Source: https://bit.ly/2FlBiFm

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