General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC’s) Quds Force has been killed by US’pre dan raid.
The General has been credited with demise of large parts of Al-Qaeda and ISIL in Iraq and winning the civil war in Syria. The man is the an honored war hero in Iran. Tehran has therefore declared a three day mourning on his assassination.
While the man has been a thorn on US’ side, pulling out coalitions and spectacular victories where none exited. However, strategic objectives achieved by US with his death remain to be seen.
For sure the gloves are off. Iranian Supereme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the late general, a “martyr”, and promised a “vigorous revenge.”
The Iranian foreign minister is already calling the US action as a foolish escalation of events.
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.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 3, 2020
The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.
So what’s next?
Death by a million cuts! Iran will be averse to a direct confrontation with US. US too will be hasitant in trying to take down Iran in its own backyard.
However the Tehran sponsored irregulars will ensure that enough amount of start and stripe wrapped body bags remain in transit over Atlantic. Once again US seem to forget that its losses in Vietnam were actually a victory of Chinese. Iran, will most likely employ a similar strategy in Iraq and Syria.
In both the oil rich nations, US is seen as an occupying force stationed to profit from the black gold, while Iran is seen as a stabilizing force fighting to save Shias, even Christian minorities from the clutches of Saudi sponsored Sunni fanatics. The corruption is both fueled and symbolized by US Dollars. It will not take too much of spark to fire a popular revolt against the US.
Tehran already specializes in asymmetric warfare in the region. There is no party in the region that has won over the Iranian backed militia, be it in Syria, Iraq or in Yemen. The attack on Saudi Oil facilities was a stunning example of what Iran can achieve – undetected.
While the think tanks of Pentagon would already be aware about it, the first casualty of any war is the plan to wage it. What we know is the fact that Trump has started something that he will be finished in this presidency or the next.
