saw this on Facebook
Justin Mumphrey
January 3 at 5:31 PM ·
I’m going to paint an unbiased (in the terms of partisan leaning) and unclassified picture for all of the people wondering about what’s going on, sharing memes, freaking out, or otherwise, in relation to the U.S. elimination of General Qasim Soleimani.
Backstory: The U.S. is in Iraq helping them stabilize the country (we are actively working with the Iraqi Security Forces), fend off ISIS as they run from Syria where the Russians and Kurds have had success. Iran has been trying to poke the bear for some time in the region, seeking economic footholds and strategic placement to exercise better control over their proxy SMG’s (Shia Militia Groups) - who are often trained by the Quds Force, or at the least, supplied by them. This Generals plans included a campaign of violence and staged protests against U.S. personnel in the region, to include the embassy. Let me be clear, this general sought to kill American citizens who are in Iraq trying to help the country fend off terrorism and rebuild after many years of conflict.
December 27: a U.S. contractor was killed in Kirkuk by an attack from “protestors” (aka SMG actors working on the behest of the Quds Force commander) utilizing dozens of rockets.
December 29: F-15’s strike 3 locations across Iraq/Syria suspected to be key locations/weapons caches for Kataeb Hizbollah (one of the aforementioned SMGs)
December 31: SMG sponsored Protestors and SMG actors among them retaliate for the attacks that are claimed to have killed over two dozen Kataeb Hizbollah members two days prior. They storm the embassy, but are pushed back upon the arrival of the Iraqi Security Forces and a call for peace.
Jan 2: General Soleimani arrives at BIA, departs for an undisclosed location. Upon arrival an MQ-9 Reaper locks on and strikes the General’s vehicle as he departs.
It is important to realize the amount of time it took for this to culminate. This was not a casual, “Oh yeah, this guy happens to be in the country, let’s get him!” This was a premeditated and predetermined outcome based on the intelligence gathering that probably spanned months. For a strike to be ordered from the highest levels of the U.S. government there had to be no shadow of doubt that this guy was responsible.
To reiterate the last few months of foreign policy with Iran:
They have harassed merchant vessels, detained workers from other countries as a means to strong arm regional partners, have been tied to the attacks on the Aramco Oil Field in Saudi Arabia, shot down a United States aircraft operating in accordance with international laws, and many other acts that the United States has let pass.
It should always be expected that when an American life is lost and the country responsible is identified, there will be consequences.
Sources:
https://www.google.com/…/mobile.r…/a.../idUSKBN1Z301Z
https://www.csis.org/…/irans-protest...at-domestic-s…
https://www.usatoday.com/…/qasem-sol...l…/2802960001/
https://www.state.gov/countering-ira...bal-terrorism/
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