"The American and Israeli enemy is responsible for killing the mujahideen Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qasem Soleimani," said Iraqi PMF spokesman Ahmed al-Assadi.
www.jpost.com
(fair use applies)
Qasem Soleimani reportedly killed in Baghdad Airport, militia leader blames Israel, US
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
By REUTERS
JANUARY 3, 2020 03:26
Iraqi paramilitary groups that IRGC Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani was among those killed killed in an air strike on their vehicles inside Baghdad International Airport, militia sources reported on early Friday, after Iraq's Security Media Cell announced that three katyusha rockets had targeted Baghdad Airport.
The militia members were hosting "important guests" at Baghdad airport who were being driven in two militia vehicles that were struck by two rockets, said the militia sources.
Two militia sources said the two guests were also killed in the attack but declined to identify them.
Police and health sources said that at least five people were killed and nine wounded.
Iraqi state media reported that Soleimani and the deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, were both killed in the attack.
Shi'ite PMF said in a post on Facebook that its director of public relations was killed in what it described as "cowardly U.S. bombing."
Iraqi PMF spokesman Ahmed al-Assadi blamed "Americans and Israelis" for being behind the attack.
"The American and Israeli enemy is responsible for killing the mujahideen Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani," said Assadi.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
Supporters of Iranian-backed Iraqi paramilitary groups stormed the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday following U.S. air raids on Sunday against Kataib Hezbollah militia bases in retaliation for missile attacks that killed a U.S. contractor in northern Iraq last week.
Tension between the United States and Iran has ramped up in the region over U.S. economic sanctions hurting the Iranian economy. The two sides have traded blame over attacks on oil installations, militia arms depots as well as military bases hosting U.S. forces.
Speaking to Reuters, US officials speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed that the US had struck targets in Baghdad related to Iran.
It is unknown if they were referring to the airport, as they declined to give further details.
