في أيلول 2014، استخدمت الجماعات التكفيرية في سوريا العمليات الانتحارية وسيلة أساسية لتوجيه ضربات إلى بيئة المقاومة وجمهورها رداً على الدور المركزي لحزب الله في الحرب السورية. وكانت تلك الجماعات تدور في فلك تنظيم «القاعدة»، قبل أن تأخذ مسميات مختلفة، من بينها «جبهة النصرة» التي استقطبت قيادات كثيرة في التنظيم الأم، وتنافست مع تنظيم «داعش» على آخرين.
كان عالم هذه المجموعات ضيقاً للغاية في بلادنا. وحتى المقاومة لم تكن تخصص له حيّزاً كبيراً من عملها. لكن ذلك تغيّر جذرياً بعد اندلاع الأزمة السورية وتفاقم الأوضاع في لبنان والعراق. وحتّمت شراسة المعركة على الأرض، طريقة مختلفة وأكثر سرعة في العمل. وكان الشهيد مصطفى بدر الدين يتولى المسؤولية المباشرة عن عمل هذه المجموعات. وهو، عندما تولى القيادة الميدانية في سوريا، شكّل فريق عمل ذا معرفة وخبرة بالساحتين السورية والعراقية من جهة، وعلى تواصل وتنسيق مع أجهزة وقوى معنية في البلدين، إلى جانب العلاقة العملانية مع قائد فيلق القدس الشهيد قاسم سليماني.
(الأخبار)
اختار الشهيد ذو الفقار الحاج صالح بناء على تجربة سابقة، وعلى أدوار أدّاها في مراحل مختلفة من عمل المقاومة في لبنان، وفي برامج دعمها لقوى المقاومة خارج لبنان. ساعد الحاج صالح «السيد» في أمور كثيرة، وتولّى عمليات التنسيق المنهكة، سواء داخل الجسم أو مع الأصدقاء والحلفاء. وكان صالح، المعروف بهدوئه، يشارك في النقاش وفي وضع تصورات وخطط للعمليات وكيفية توفير مستلزماتها العملانية، مع ما يعنيه ذلك من إنجاز عملية التنسيق ذات الدور المركزي، خصوصاً أن الحرب في سوريا، كما في العراق، تطلّبت وجود مقاتلين من قوى عدة، ومن جنسيات مختلفة، وكانت هناك حاجة إلى تبادل الخبرات من جهة، وإلى عمليات فرز للاستفادة إلى الحد الأقصى من الموجود، وتقليل حجم التضارب أو الخسائر.
في تلك الفترة، عمل الحاج صالح مع الشهيد ذو الفقار على تنسيق مهام والقيام بخطوات في إطار الحرب المفتوحة ضد الجماعات التكفيرية. لم تكن هذه المعركة محصورة في المواجهات العسكرية، بل تطلب الأمر قفزة نوعية في العمل الأمني، لتحقيق هدفين: الأول وقائي يستهدف خرق هذه المجموعات وتوفير مصادر بشرية من داخلها للتعرف إلى هيكلياتها وتفكيرها وآلية عملها، والثاني إحباط عملياتها لا سيما ضد المدنيين من خلال التعرف إلى طريقة التخطيط للعمليات ذات الطابع الأمني.
(الأخبار)
وقد أُتيح للحاج صالح أن يكون شريكاً وشاهداً على عمليات التخطيط. وإذا كان دوره التنسيقي أساسياً في إنجاح العمل، فإن ثقة ذو الفقار به، معطوفة على ثقة جيل من القادة العسكريين والأمنيين في المقاومة، لا سيما بعد عمله مع الشهيد عماد مغنية، سمحت له بالعمل على مشاريع كثيرة، من ضمنها متابعة الجهود الخاصة بحماية المقرات والقواعد العسكرية التي أقامتها المقاومة داخل الأراضي السورية. وهو بقي يساعد ذو الفقار حتى استشهاده، فأُسندت إليه المسؤولية المباشرة والكاملة عن عمل الوحدة 9000 المعنية بالعمل الأمني في سوريا، والمتخصصة في مكافحة الاختراقات من جهة، وفي الفصل وحماية الجسم المقاوم والمساعدة على تأهيل كوادر انضمت إلى قوات الحزب في سوريا، إضافة إلى التنسيق مع الأجهزة الأمنية والعسكرية السورية والمتابعة اللصيقة لملف التجسس الإسرائيلي الذي نشط بقوة في الساحة السورية، مستغلاً الفوضى التي تسبّبت بها الحرب، ومكملاً لما تقوم به أجهزة استخبارات العدو في لبنان وفي بلدان أخرى من بينها العراق وإيران.
(الأخبار)
في خضم هذه المواجهة، قررت المقاومة تحقيق اختراقات فنية وبشرية لجسم الجماعات التكفيرية، وتمكّنت خلال وقت قصير من الوصول إلى عناصر فاعلة، بعضها مقرر وبعضها تنفيذي في جسم هذه المجموعات. وكانت مهمة الفريق العامل تحت إشراف السيد ذو الفقار، وكان الحاج صالح واحداً منهم، تنفيذ خطة لتوفير حماية خاصة للمتعاونين مع المقاومة من الطرف الآخر، وصولاً إلى تنفيذ عمليات وهمية لإقناع قيادات الجماعات التكفيرية بمصداقية هؤلاء الأشخاص لتعزيز موقعهم داخل هذه الجماعات. وقد أتاحت هذه المهمة الوصول إلى مراكز عمل المجموعات المعنية بالتفخيخ وتجهيز الانتحاريين وتوجيه ضربات قاسية إليها، سواء عبر عمليات خاصة قامت بها مجموعات من المقاومة، أو بتوجيه ضربات بالمسيّرات عندما كانت الظروف الميدانية تعيق المواجهة المباشرة.
في أيلول 2014، انتشر عبر وسائل الإعلام اللبنانية والعربية والدولية خبر مفاده بأن سيارة يقودها انتحاري هاجمت حاجزاً عسكرياً يقيمه عناصر من حزب الله في نقطة قريبة من الحدود مع لبنان. وجرى التداول بمعلومات عن سقوط قتلى وجرحى خلال الهجوم. لكن بخلاف التفجيرات الأخرى، لم يكن بمقدور أحد الوصول إلى موقع التفجير ولا التصوير أو الاطلاع على حقيقة ما حصل تلك الليلة.
نجح في اختراق المجموعات التكفيرية لتوفير مصادر بشرية من داخلها وإحباط عملياتها
يومها، نفّذ فريق الشهيد ذو الفقار، وبينهم الحاج صالح، عملية وهمية قضت بنشر مقاتلين للحزب قبل نقطة التفجير المزعوم، وتسريب الخبر إلى وسائل إعلام في لبنان، فيما تولى أمنيون تسريب معلومات عن سقوط قتلى وجرحى، قبل أن تعلن «جبهة النصرة» تبنّيها للعملية التي استهدفت حزب الله. حصل الشخص الذي كان مكلفاً أساساً القيام بهذا العمل على تنويه من قيادة الجماعة الإرهابية، ما أتاح له مواصلة العمل والحصول على كم من المعطيات سهلت للمقاومة إعداد برنامج للمواجهة انتهى بعملية عسكرية واسعة أنهت وجود كل هذه الجماعات على الحدود مع لبنان.
كان الحاج صالح واحداً من فريق لا يزال الأحياء فيه يعملون بصمت، تماماً كالصمت الذي سكنه لسنوات كثيرة، وهو الذي لم يكن يهتم فقط بالأمن العسكري، بل حرص على منع عمليات استغلال الحرب السورية من قبل مافيا كان بينها لبنانيون حاولوا انتحال صفة القرب أو الانتماء إلى المقاومة. وفي كتابه الكثير من الحكايات التي لا
نعرف متى تقرر المقاومة الحديث عن تفاصيلها…
صالح، شأنه شأن الكثيرين من المجاهدين الذين لا يتعرف الناس إليهم إلا شهداء… وله بقيته في الأرض وبين البشر، وله من يحفظ الدرس والمهمة من دون حياد!
The book has so far been available in the markets in four languages…
“Soleimani’s School: From Birth in Kerman until Martyrdom in Baghdad…” is the title of a book penned by Pakistani author Sayyed Hassan Reza Naqavi. First published in Urdu, Persian, then English, the Lebanese capital Beirut hosted the ceremony to sign the Arabic version of the book.
The event, which was held at the Cultural Counsellorship of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Lebanon, was first addressed by the publisher, the manager of al-Walaa Publishing House Hassan Khalifeh.
“Qassem Soleimani has passed through the borders of geography and entered the hearts and minds of people. He is a one-of-a-kind man within the Axis of Resistance. And a good proof on being a global hero is that a Pakistani author pens a book in Urdu about his life. This book is definitely useful for whoever desires to learn about the aspects of the life and the leading role of martyr Soleimani in making victories,” Khalifeh underlined.
Before signing the book, the author remarked that Martyr Qassem Soleimani was not only admired by Muslims, but also valued and appreciated by the Christians and the Druze. “Given what I’ve read about the past three decades, I didn’t find any person, except for religious clerics, who served Islam and humanity as Hajj Qassem Soleimani.”
All walks of life in Iran, Syria, Pakistan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Iraq considered him part of them, Naqavi explained.
During a conversation with al-Ahed News, the author emphasized that he was inspired to write the book about the life of the former commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard [IRG] Quds Force by the personality of Martyr Qassem Soleimani himself, given the fact that he reads and writes about history of different figures in different countries, which clearly displayed the martyr’s uniqueness.
Mr. Naqavi detailed the distinction of martyr Soleimani by listing some of the characteristics conveyed in his personality. “I had seen Islam and resistance, his role in helping the poor and vulnerable people, his anti-US and anti-‘Israel’ policies in the region, and his struggle for Islam and the Islamic Revolution, and for saving the lives of people in Syria and Iraq from Daesh [Arabic for ‘ISIS/ISIL’].”
The course of writing the first-published version of the book took the author almost two years during which he cited several sources and reports, and interviewed different Iranian figures whether from the political and military fields who mainly contributed to collecting the information found in this book.
Sayyed Naqavi didn’t spare the opportunity to express for our website his love the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah. “When I was 9-yo in Pakistan, the picture of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was hung in our home. And after the July 2006 war, we published about the “Manifest Victory” and celebrated it in Pakistan, and displayed an exhibition about Hezbollah’s victory in the war against ‘Israel’.”
Iran’s Cultural Counselor in Lebanon, Sayyed Kumail Baqer, for his part, described the meeting held to sign this book as a good proof to display who is Hajj Qassem Soleimani and the school he left behind. The meeting attended by people of different nationalities is a good proof that Hajj Qassem Soleimani is an international personality who was a main pillar in the formation and devotion of this front.
حتّى في لحظات المرض الحرجة لم يجفَّ يراع الثّائر الأبيّ من حبر المقاومة. لم تغب فلسطين عن ذاكرته وهو طريح الفراش يصارع الموت، كان يرقد في قلب المقاومة دمشق التي يعشق ويتابع بكلّ إصرار التّطوّرات في صنعاء وبيروت وبغداد، ولأنّه لا يعرف الهزيمة لم يستسلم خالد اللّبناني للفايروس الأميركيّ، بل كان يعدّ الأيّام والسّاعات والدّقائق للخروج مجدّداً إلى ميادين الجهاد والمقاومة التي وهبها حياته حتى الرّمق الأخير فكان أنيس المقاومين ونقاش الانتصارات.
تحت عنوان (إنّها ثورة فلسطين بامتياز) كتب أنيس النّقاش قبل وفاته بأربعة أيام آخر مقالاته في ذكرى انتصار الثّورة الإسلاميّة في إيران وكأنّه كان يكتب وصيته الأخيرة لكلّ أحرار العالم. لربما لم يبح بكلّ شيءٍ لكنّه كان يصوغ أبجديته الثّوريّة على جدران القلب ويعلن ويبوح بانتمائه لفلسطين ويعيد تشكيل خارطة الأحرار ويملي على محبيه قواعد الانتصار. يستحضر في وداعه الأخير هامات الرّجال الرّجال ويطلق عينيه نحو الأفق الأعلى فتلاقيه وجوه السابقين من الشهداء فترتسم على شفتيه البشرى ليغمد يراعه في محبرة الحقيقة ويخط بمداد الشّهداء آخر عناوينه من حيث البداية فلسطين.
يخبرنا بأنّ قوّة القدس، خاصّة والحرس الثّوري عموماً كان لهما الفضل، ليس فقط في دعم لبنان لتحرير أراضيه وهزيمة العدوّ واندحاره، بل أيضاً بصمود الشّعب الفلسطينيّ وبناء قوّته الذّاتيّة التي تهدّد مستقبل وبقاء الكيان، يكشف عن دور الحرس الثّوري في مواجهة مؤامرات الأعداء كافّة من احتلال العراق وأفغانستان إلى الحرب الكونيّة على سورية ومواجهة التّكفيريين والإرهاب الدّولي التي اتخذت أشكالاً متعدّدةً ومسمّيات أكثر تعدّداً لكنّها بالرّغم من ذلك لم تكن لتخرج عن مسار واتجاهات وتوجيهات الاستراتيجيّات الأميركيّة والصّهيونيّة المتعاقبة والمتنوّعة والهادفة لإخضاع المنطقة لهيمنتهم.
كان أنيس النّقاش الثّائر بقوميّته وعروبته وناصريته أوّل المناصرين للمقاومة الفلسطينيّة وكان له مساهمة كبيرة في الكثير من العمليّات الخاصّة مع القائد في الجبهة الشّعبيّة لتحرير فلسطين وديع حداد ومن تلك العمليّات اقتحام مقرّ منظمة أوبك في فيينا سنة 1975 مع الفنزويلي الشّهير كارلوس أو ايليتش راميريز سانشيز حيث تمّ احتجاز وزراء النّفط في عمليّةٍ خاصّةٍ، إضافة إلى محاولة اغتيال آخر رئيس وزراء إيراني في عهد الشّاه شهبور بختيار في باريس عام 1980 في عمليّةٍ خطّط لها ونفّذها أنيس نقاش بنفسه بالتّعاون مع إيرانيَّين وفلسطينيّ ولبنانيّ لكنّه وقع في قبضة السّلطات الفرنسيّة بعد أن أصيب برصاصةٍ واعتقل وحكم عليه بالسّجن المؤبّد ليتمّ الإفراج عنه بعد عشر سنوات من الاعتقال في السّجون الفرنسيّة.
عاد أنيس النقاش إلى بيروت محطِّماً قضبان سجنه متابِعاً مسيرته النّضاليّة التي امتزجت بنضالاته في المقاومة الفلسطينيّة وعمّق علاقاته بالشّهداء خليل الوزير ووديع حداد والجنرال قاسم سليماني وقادة المقاومة فكان الثّائر العابر للحدود والمقاوم المتجدّد والمتابع الرّاصد لسياسات الكيان الصّهيوني المؤقّت ليبني عليها مآلات الصّراع وتوجّهاته.
رحل أنيس النّقاش دون أن تكتمل روايته الأخيرة لكنّه خطّ وصيته التي وشمها بالحقيقة في آخر مقالاته قائلاً إنّ إيران الثّورة، ومن خلال وضع القدس وفلسطين بوصلة تقود كلّ توجّهاتها الاستراتيجيّة، ليس في الإقليم فقط بل في العالم جعلت من إيران الثّورة الندّ القوي والمواجه الأساسيّ لكلّ مشاريع الغرب عموماً وأميركا والكيان الصّهيوني خصوصاً. اليوم ومع اكتمال الطّوق المقاوم حول دولة الكيان الصّهيوني، نجد أنّ بعض الدّول العربيّة قد ذهبت لإقامة حلف لأسرلة المنطقة ووضعها تحت نفوذ هذا الكيان، ولكنّها لم تتنبّه إلى أنّها وضعت نفسها تلقائياً ضمن الجحر المحاصر من قبل محور المقاومة، والطّوق الذي أُطبق على الكيان أصبح يضمّها.
كان بن غوريون يحلم بمحاصرة الأمة العربيّة ببعض الدّول، فإذا بدولته وكيانه محاصران من محور مقاوم شديد البأس، ينتقل من نصرٍ إلى نصرٍ ويعزّز قدراته ويفاقم من إمكاناته ونطاق وجوده وانتشاره، ولذلك نستطيع القول اليوم، إنّ ما خُطّط له قد ذهب هباءً منثوراً، وإنّ آخر منتجات الغدر والخيانة المتمثّل «بحلف الأسرلة» لن يكون مصيره أفضل ممّا كانت مصائر حروبه المتعاقبة واعتداءاته الغادرة. فكانت آخر وصايا أنيس المقاومين فلسطين التي لم تخرج بوصلته وعملياته أينما كانت عنها وهو الذي كان فلسطينيّاً ولبنانيّاً وسوريّاً ويمنيّاً وعراقيّاً وإيرانيّاً من أجل فلسطين.
Iranians mark the 44th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in the capital Tehran on February 11, 2023. (Photo by IRNA)
Millions of Iranians have taken to the streets across the country to celebrate the 44th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution that toppled the US-backed Pahlavi regime in 1979.
The rallies in the capital Tehran began at 9:30 a.m. local time (06:00 GMT) on Saturday, with demonstrators from various social strata and different parts of the city marching toward the iconic Azadi (Freedom) Square.
People waved photos of the late founder of the Islamic Revolution Imam Khomeini, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and legendary General Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated in a 2020 US terrorist attack in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, as well as the martyrs of the Revolution.
Iranian people mark the 44th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in the capital Tehran on February 11, 2023. (Photo by Fars news agency)
The flight of colored balloons and iridescent papers from the Azadi Tower, the performance of professional parachutists of the Armed Forces and the mass recital of Iran’s national anthem were among the celebratory events held in the Azadi Square.
On the eve of the 44th anniversary, fireworks displays were performed in Tehran and other cities at 9:00 p.m. overnight, as people chanted Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest) in an expression of support for the Islamic Revolution.
Covered by 6,000 media personnel across the country, the foot processions, which came after three years of motorcade marches due to the coronavirus pandemic, were held in 1,400 Iranian cities and 38,000 villages.
An Iranian demonstartor flashes the victory sign on the 44th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in the capital Tehran on February 11, 2023. (Photo by Fars news agency)
The mass rallies on the 22nd of Bahman in the Solar Calendar, which corresponds with February 11, are held each year with tremendous patriotic fervor in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Iranian nation overthrew the despotic regime of Pahlavi, which was fully supported by the United States in the winter of 1979. The struggle against the shah regime reached full fruition on February 11, 1979.
By December 1978, millions of Iranians had taken to the streets in protest against the policies of the shah – Shah – on a regular basis.
Imam Khomeini returned to Iran from exile on February 1, 1979. He was received by millions of people weeks after the departure of the shah in mid-January 1979.
The collapse of the Pahlavi regime became certain on February 11 when the military renounced its loyalty to the shah and joined the Revolution.
Raeisi: Bahman 22nd day of victory of ‘truth over falsity’
Delivering a speech at the Azadi Square, Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi lauded the 22nd of Bahman as the day of the triumph of “truth over falsity,” the day of the victory of “the oppressed over the arrogant,” and the realization of the “miracle of the century.”
Raeisi said the epic day put an end to tyranny and dependence and marked the beginning of independence, freedom and the Islamic Republic, adding that the day brought about the crystallization of the will of the great nation of Iran.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi delivers a speech at the iconic Azadi (Freedom) Square on the 44th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in the capital Tehran on February 11, 2023. (Photo by president.ir)
Crowds of millions in Iran… Why?
Stressing that both the establishment and the continuation of the Pahlavi regime was against the nation’s will and accompanied with a coup d’état, the Iranian president said, “They committed crimes and treason during their rule, and they were unconcerned about [Iranian people’s] great capacities, and only cared for the pleasure of the global hegemony and the United States.”
“Pahlavi’s despotic rule only brought backwardness to this nation and country,” Raeisi added, “They came to power against the principles of the Constitution and with a coup.”
‘Enemy cannot stand Iran’s achievements’
Pointing to the country’s achievements in various areas, including science and technology, economy, defense, health and medicine, Raeisi said, “Today, we rank first in the region in many fields and we are in the fourth, fifth and sixth place in many arenas in the world. This is for our self-discovery, self-confidence, and reliance on God. Our dear nation has conquered many peaks but the enemy cannot stand it.”
The president said when the enemy saw that the country was progressing in all fields and was not stalled, they started hatching another plot and thought that they could stop the country with chaos.
“They implemented the chaos project and thought that they could bring the country to a standstill with turmoil, and for this reason, they launched a hybrid war in this field,”
Raeisi noted, referring to the recent violent riots after the mid-September death of a woman in Tehran.
“They initiated a combined work in the form of a political, economic, media, psychological and perceptual warfare, unaware that the Iranian nation knows them and their tricks.”
The president underlined, “Today, despite the threats and sanctions, Islamic Iran enjoys the growth of fixed capital, investment growth, economic growth, and growth in other indices.”
Iran in ‘claimant’ position in nuclear issue
Elsewhere in his speech, Raeisi said Iran stands in the position of a “claimant” in the nuclear issue, adding, “We have accepted the inspections of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and these inspections continue. The agency has for 15 times announced that Iran has no involvement in nuclear activities, but this is you who have a nuclear warhead, you have a nuclear bomb, and you are in the position of the accused.”
Pointing to the fight against terrorism, Raeisi said Iran is also in the position of the claimant, noting, “You formed, supported and armed Daesh; and scourged the lives of Muslim people, but the Islamic Republic sacrificed dear General Soleimani in the fight against Daesh. You are the accused and must be held accountable to the world and humanity.”
The Iranian president also touched on the issue of Palestine and Afghanistan, saying, “Seventy years of oppression of the Palestinian people as well as 35,000 disabled children is the result of your presence in Afghanistan…You committed crimes and acted against human rights, you must answer why you violated human rights so much.”
Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:
ماذا يعني الحرس الثوي الإيراني بالنسبة لإيران شعباً وحكومة وثورة إسلامية وقيادة عليا؟
ولماذا يُستهدف من قبل القوى الاستعمارية والرجعية دوماً؟
من حق الرأي العام العربي والعالمي ان يعرف من هو هذا الجيش المنيع الذي تحاول أميركا عبثاً النيل منه، ولات حين مناص! نبدأ من حيث اشتعلت المواجهة بأعلى درجاتها بين هذه الأميركا عدوة الشعوب وقائدة الغرب الجماعي وبين ذاك الحرس الثوري أحد أذرع شعوب العالم التواقة للحرية والعدالة، ساعة قرّر نمر الامبريالية المتوحشة، الجريح دونالد ترامب، اغتيال قائد الشرق الأسطوري الشجاع الحاج قاسم سليماني ورفيقه في النضال العالمي، القائد المغوار أبو مهدي المهندس في مطار بغداد بعد أن هشما صورة أميركا وأدواتها في الميدان على امتداد ساحات الحرب والنزال، ومن ثم فليعلم من يهمّه الامر كما يلي:
اولا ـ بات على الرأي العام ان يعلم جيداً بانّ الحرس الثوري هذا هو من قام بإجبار كلّ قواعد الامبريالية في المنطقة ان “تقف على اجر ونص” لساعات طويلة عندما وجه صواريخه الى كلّ قواعد الشرّ والاحتلال في المنطقة وهدّد بالانتقام من الأميركيين في كلّ قواعدهم بدءاً بدكّ قاعدة العديد الأميركية في الدوحة قبل ان يدكّ عين الأسد قرب بغداد، ما دفع أمير قطر بالهرولة يومها، الى طهران موفداً من الأميركيين، حاملاً معه ٣ مليار دولار عداً ونقداً متوسّلاً تجنيب بلاده من عواقب مثل هذه المواجهة ومقدّماً الأعذار لإعفائه من كلفة مثل هذا العقاب اولاً ومن ثم واعداً الإيرانيين بمناقشة موضوع انسحاب الجيوش الأجنبية على مراحل مع كبيرهم الذي علمهم السحر…
ثانيا ـ انّ الحرس الثوري هو من أوقف العدوان والحرب الكونية على الجمهورية الإسلامية التي تزعّمها نظام صدام، عندما سطر أسطورة التلاحم بين الجيش والشعب والمقاومة وسجل نقلة نوعية في الحروب الكلاسيكية العالمية يوم عبر نهر اروند (شط العرب) وعمل إنزاله الشهير خلف خطوط العدو الذي فاق إنجاز النورماندي في الحرب العالمية الثانية، ما أجبر المعادلة الدولية التي وقفت خلف صدام ببدء العدّ العكسي للانسحاب وإذعان العدو بالهزيمة والاندحار.
ثالثا ـ الحرس الثوري الإيراني شريك أساسي في كلّ ملاحم البطولة التي سطرها ولا يزال حزب الله والمقاومة الإسلامية في لبنان وفلسطين على امتداد العقود الماضية ما سجل انتصارات باهرة للصديق وانسحابات مذلة للعدو تحدث لأول مرة في تاريخ الصراع العربي الإسرائيلي دون تقديم ايّ تنازلات بالسياسة.
رابعا ـ الحرس الثوري هو من استطاع ان يكون شريكاً أساسياً في الإمساك بداعش من حلقومها في سورية ويخنقها ويطهّر سورية منها مرة واحدة والى الأبد مما سجل نصراً عظيماً لتلاحم القوى الثورية العربية والإسلامية في العالم هو الأول من نوعه في منطقتنا بعد ان كان قد أصبح من التاريخ الغابر بسبب سلسلة التنازلات المذلة للرجعية العربية.
خامساـ الحرس الثوري هو من كشف واعتقل كاووس امامي الجاسوس الخطير، وهو الذي كان مكلفاً بالتجسّس على المراكز العسكرية الحساسة والخطيرة الخاصة بمواقع إطلاق الصواريخ تحت غطاء بيئي، ذريعته الظاهرية ما عُرف بمشروع حماية الفهود الإيرانية من الانقراض! سادسا ـ الحرس الثوري هو الذي استطاع إبعاد داعش عن العاصمة العراقية بغداد بعد ان كانت على مشارفها، وبذلك أنقذ العراق من كارثة السقوط الحتمية.
سابعا ـ الحرس الثوري الإيراني شريك أساسي في الدفاع عن أمن وسيادة ووحدة أراضي العراق وكذلك في انطلاق ملحمة الحشد الشعبي العراقي دفاعاً عن العراق العظيم شعباً ومقدسات وعن الأمن القومي الإيراني أيضاً.
ثامنا ـ الحرس الثوري الإيراني شريك أساسي في مشروع كلّ التشكيلات الرديفة في سورية لا سيما الدفاع الوطني بالتنسيق الكامل مع القصر الجمهوري (القيادة العليا) والجيش العربي السوري دفاعاً عن أمن وسيادة ووحدة الأراضي السورية وعن المقدسات فيها وعن الأمن القومي الإيراني أيضاً.
تاسعا ـ الحرس الثوري هو الذي استطاع ان يخرج العشرات إنْ لم يكن المئات من مشاريع البناء والتأسيس لدولة عصرية في إيران، من أيدي المستثمرين او بالأحرى الناهبين الأجانب ليضعها بأيد محلية وطنية في خدمة العباد والبلاد.
عاشرا ـ الحرس الثوري هو من كشف وفضح ومن ثم تمكن من الإحاطة التامة بكلّ مشروع الحرب الناعمة التي دبّرتها أجهزة استخبارات عالمية وإقليمية ضدّ إيران انطلاقاً من فرنسا والتي انتهت باستدراج متزعّمها العميل روح الله زم، الى إيران ومن ثم تفكيك المشروع والقضاء عليه.
حادي عشر ـ الحرس الثوري هو الذي استطاع إحداث نقلة نوعية في الصناعات النفطية الإيرانية من خلال بناء واحدة من أضخم وأهمّ مصافي تكرير النفط وإنتاج البنزين المسمّاة بنجمة الخليج الفارسي، والتي نقلت إيران من موقع المستورد للبنزين الى موقع المصدّر، وهو من أبدع في مهام إخضاع الجبروت الأميركي للإرادة الشعبية الإيرانية في هذا المجال عندما نقل هذه المادة الحياتية المهمة الى فنزويلا المحاصرة بأسطول من الناقلات عبر البحار والمحيطات تحت حراسة الأسطول الحربي الإيراني.
ثاني عشر ـ الحرس الثوري هو من هرع بكلّ قواه الى المحافظات الإيرانية التي فجعت بالسيول وأنقذها من الخراب الشامل والدمار الكبير، وابتسامات الحاج قاسم سليماني الموثقة بالصوت والصورة وسط السيول وبين الناس وهو يطمئنهم بالقول “كلو خير ملو خير…” لا زالت شاهدة على ذلك.
ثالث عشر ـ الحرس الثوري هو من قام بكشف واعتقال الجاسوسة نازنين زاغري وبادلها مع الانجليز بـ ٤٠٠ مليون جنيه استرليني دخلت خزانة الحكومة.
رابع عشر ـ الحرس الثوري هو الذي أوجد مظلة حماية أمنية لكلّ تحركات المسؤولين الإيرانيين في الداخل والخارج وكان المنقذ لهم دوماً من أفخاخ التجسّس وحمايتهم منها وإنقاذهم عند الضرورة من وسط شباك العدو.
خامس عشر ـ الحرس الثوري هو من قام بإنجاز وبناء عدة مصافي تكرير نفط ضمن مشاريع الحكومة وهي مشاريع الحقول 13 و15 و16 و22 و23 و24 ووضعها في خدمة الشعب…
سادس عشر ـ الحرس الثوري هو من بنى وأنجز الرصيف والميناء اللازمين لاستخراج الغاز من حقل پارس الجنوبي المشترك بين إيران وقطر.
سابع عشر ـ الحرس الثوري هو الذي وأد فتنة المدعو عبد الملك ريگي متزعّم ما عُرف بـ “جيش العدل” المدعوم من عدة أجهزة استخبارات إقليمية لفتح ثغرة أمنية كبيرة على الحدود الشرقية لإيران، بعد ان تمكن من استدراجه وإنزال الطائرة التي كانت تقله في طريقها الى أفغانستان للنزول مجبرة في طهران ومن ثم محاكمته وإعدامه.
ثامن عشر ـ الحرس الثوري هو من أبدع في بناء السدود داخل البلاد فكانت أياديه البيضاء في سدّ كرخة الشهير والذي أحدث نقلة نوعية في مشروع السدود فأصبحت بفضله هذه الصناعة صناعة وطنية تفخر بها إيران شعباً وحكومة وقيادة.
تاسع عشر ـ الحرس الثوري هو الشريك الأساسي في تطوير تقنيات التسليح وحرب الصواريخ والطائرات المُسيّرة ما جعل نظام الرياض يترنح تحت ضربات أبطال اليمن الأشداء وتكاد قبيلة آل سعود تستجدي وقفاً لإطلاق النار يحفظ لها بعض ماء وجهها ولا تلاقيه.
عشرون ـ الحرس الثوري شريك أساسي في معركة تحرير مضائق وخلجان الأمة الاستراتيجية من هيمنة وسيطرة الأميركان وأذنابهم الصغار من هرمز الى باب المندب.
واحد وعشرون ـ الحرس الثوري هو من وقف لأول مرة بوجه بريطانيا الامبراطورية التي لا تغيب عنها الشمس وكسر جبروتها وأغرق غرورها في مياه الخليج الفارسي الذي ظلّ لمدة قرون عنواناً لقرصنة بحّارتها عندما اعتقل نخبتهم ولقنهم درساً لن ينسوه الى الأبد، كما كان هو من كسر أبّهتهم يوم أوقف سفينتهم وأجبرهم على إطلاق السفينة الإيرانية التي احتجزوها في جبل طارق دون تقديم تنازلات سياسية، وإنما من باب العين بالعين والبادي أظلم.
اثنا وعشرون ـ الحرس الثوري هو من كسر عنفوان المارينز الأميركيين وأطاح بعنجيّتهم وغطرستهم عندما اعتقل نخبتهم ونقلهم الى سواحل إيران الإسلام والثورة وهم مطأطئي الرؤوس ورافعين أيديهم علامة الاستسلام وهم يتبوّلون.
ثلاث وعشرون ـ الحرس الثوري هو من يحفظ ويصون أمن المطارات وأمن كبار المسؤولين وكافة الديبلوماسيين وهو من أحبط عشرات من محاولات اختطاف الطائرات الإيرانية المدنية لينجّي بذلك أرواح الآلاف من مواطني الشعب الإيراني العظيم.
أربع وعشرون ـ الحرس الثوري هو من أسقط فخر الصناعات العسكرية الأميركية ـ غلوبال هوك ـ وجعلها تتناثر فوق مياه الخليج الفارسي ثم نزل غواصوه ليجمعوا قطعها ويعيدوا تجميعها وسط ذهول قادة الإدارة الأميركية وحكام العالم وخبرائهم.
خمسة وعشرون ـ الحرس الثوري هو من استطاع بكلّ فخر اختراق منظومة طائرة الأميركية وإدخالها ضمن منظومته لتعمل بإرادته وتحط سالمة على أرض الإسلام والثورة وتصبح من غنائم الحرب دون ان ينبس الأميركي المتغطرس ببنت شفة ولا يجرؤ على الرد.
ستة وعشرون ـ الحرس الثوري هو من أعطى أسرار هذه الطائرة الأميركية المتقدّمة للروس وحصل مقابل ذلك على تكنولوجيا سلاح روسي سري متقدم.
سبعة وعشرون ـ الحرس الثوري هو من أقنع الرئيس بوتين بضرورة الدخول بقوة على حرب مكافحة الإرهاب في سورية وشرح للقيادة العليا الروسية على مدى أكثر من ساعتين في لقاء تاريخي استثنائي بين الجنرال سليماني والرئيس بوتين، بأنّ الدفاع عن تخوم موسكو وأسوار الكرملين يبدأ من دمشق تماماً كما هو الحال بالنسبة لطهران.
ثمانية وعشرون ـ الحرس الثوري الإيراني هو من أسقط المُسيّرة الإسرائيلية “هرمس” قرب منشأة نطنز النووية.
تسعة وعشرون ـ الحرس الثوري هو من حشد وعبّأ العالم الإسلامي دفاعاً عن الأماكن المقدسة في سورية فكانت ملاحم “الفاطميون” الأفغان و”الحيدريون” العراق و”الزينبيون” الباكستان.
ثلاثين ـ الحرس الثوري هو من أدار وبنى وجهّز وشيّد الجسور والطرق السريعة في البلاد.
واحد وثلاثين ـ الحرس الثوري هو من ساهم بشكل قوي وأساسي في الصناعات الحساسة الدقيقة وكان يسلّمها للصناعيين لحماية الصناعات الوطنية وتسهيل عمل الصناعيين الوطنيين المناهضين للتبعية.
اثنان وثلاثين ـ الحرس الثوري هو من قام بالالتفاف على قرارات العقوبات الاقتصادية الدولية الظالمة فكان العون الأساس للدولة والمجتمع في الوصول الى ما يحتاجانه من السوق العالمية في الصناعات العسكرية والمدنية.
ثلاثة وثلاثين ـ الحرس الثوري هو من أغنى مراكز البحث العلمي من خلال إدارة أو المشاركة في عدة مشاريع بحثية وعلمية استطاعت بصورة ممتازة من إيجاد تلاحم كبير وفعّال بين الجامعات والمراكز الصناعية مما رفع مستوى البلاد عالياً بين الامم والدول.
اربعة وثلاثين ـ الحرس الثوري هو من كشف واعتقل وحقق مع الجواسيس والخونة الذين تلطخت سمعتهم وأياديهم في قتل واغتيال علماء الذرة الإيرانيين.
خمسة وثلاثين ـ الحرس الثوري هو من أجبر حكام الإمارات على العدول عن قرارهم بإغلاق منافذ العملة الصعبة لإيران باستخدام الطرق المناسبة.
ستة وثلاثين ـ الحرس الثوري هو من أحدث نقلة نوعية في وسائل الدفاع الشعبي وحماية مكتسبات النظام الإسلامي والدولة والمجتمع الإيرانيين من خلال تشكيل جيش التعبئة المليوني الذي استطاع قهر أعداء الثورة الداخليين ووأد كلّ وسائل الفتنة والإرهاب في كلّ أنحاء البلاد وحماية حدود الولاية فكان رأس حربة ولاية الفقيه الضاربة جذورها في أعماق البلاد والعباد.
سبعة وثلاثين ـ الحرس الثوري هو من أسّس لنظام صناعة الصواريخ البعيدة المدى والدقيقة وبنى مدن الصواريخ تحت الأرض مطيحاً بذلك بنظرية التفوق الجوي للامبريالية وقوى الرجعية في العالم منذ الحرب العالمية الثانية، ماؤسلب النوم من الأعداء وجعل البلاد الإيرانية من أقصاها الى أقصاها آمنة ومستقرة.
ثمانية وثلاثين ـ الحرس الثوري الإيراني المساهم الأساس في حماية سورية من الغزو الأميركي ومنع دمشق من السقوط بيد الأميركيين عندما هدّد إدارة أوباما بدك قواعد وأساطيل بلاده إذا ما تجرأ على المسّ بالأرض السورية وكلكم يتذكر تهديد سليماني للأميركيين بأن يحملوا توابيتهم معهم إذا قرّروا النزول على الأرض السورية وإعلان التعبئة العامة في صفوف الحرس الثوري بالقول بأنّ الشام ستكون معراجنا الى السماء ووجه مئات الآلاف من الصواريخ الى الكيان الصهيوني وكلّ قواعد أميركا البرية والبحرية.
تسعة وثلاثين ـ الحرس الثوري هو من حمى صيادي إيران في البحر وهو من حمى تجارة النفط الإيرانية ووصولها الى أعالي البحار آمنة، وهو من أذلّ الأميركيين في الخليج الفارسي وبحر عمان وأجبرهم على التخاطب مع الجمهورية الإسلامية بكلّ تأدّب وخضوع وأجبرهم صاغرين للتخاطب مع الإيرانيين باللغة الفارسية.
اربعين ـ أخيراً وليس آخراً انه الحرس الثوري من كان الحاضنة التي تربّى فيها وكبر وترعرع الفريق الجنرال الحاج قاسم سليماني المارد الأسطوري وصاحب المدرسة العسكرية الفريدة، الذي تمكن عملياً من توحيد ساحات المسلمين والعرب ودمائهم باتجاه القدس الشريف حتى أصبحنا في الفصل الأخير من الهجوم الاستراتيجي لتحرير فلسطين وتغيير الأقدار وإعادة رسم جغرافيا العالم وكتابة تاريخه من جديد على قاعدة الاستعداد ليوم قيامة دولة القسط والعدل العالمية بعد ان انتقل مركز ثقل التوازن الدولي لأول مرة في التاريخ الحديث من الغرب الى الشرق.
هذا هو الحرس الثوري عين إيران ودرعها الحصين ونصير شعوب الشرق التواقة للحرية والاستقلال وبناء شرق جديد من دون “إسرائيل” وأخواتها…! يوم نبطش البطشة الكبرى.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah says the US is preventing the implementation of the Iranian energy projects in Lebanon.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah during the Solaimani International Prize for Resistant Literature ceremony on January 17, 2023
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah spoke on Tuesday during the distribution ceremony of the Solaimani International Prize for Resistant Literature, and he addressed various regional issues, mainly pertaining to Lebanon, and hailed martyred IRGC Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani.
Martyr Qassem Soleimani, Sayyed Nasrallah underlined, is a martyr who transcends space and time. “He is not a martyr of Iraq, Iran, or Syria. Rather, he is a martyr of the world, and his influence will remain for generations.”
Martyr Soleimani was a key leader in the axis that fought against ISIS, Sayyed Nasrallah said. “The spiritual and moral strength, courage, sacrifice, strategy, and the departure from daily conflicts are part of the school of thought of Qassem Soleimani.”
“Martyr Soleimani was a great and key leader in dealing a crushing blow to the greater Israeli project,” the Hezbollah chief underlined. “The most important aspect of Hajj Qassem is the morale strength that he gave to anyone who worked with him.”
Furthermore, Sayyed Nasrallah stressed that it was necessary to highlight the need to enshrine the model of martyr Qassem Soleimani, “as our nation is facing many challenges.”
No single bloc wants presidential power vacuum
Sayyed Nasrallah went on to touch on the issues facing Lebanon, expressing his understanding of why certain parties were pressuring for the election of a president, though he underlined the need to stray away from sowing sectarian discord.
“It is wrong to promote the idea of marginalizing the first Maronite position,” he explained. “No one intends to do so.”
“Everyone wants to put an end to the presidential vacuum to pave the way for the formation of a government and for affairs to go back to their natural course,” Sayyed Nasrallah said. “The real hindrance today is that there are many parliamentary blocs, and no one has a majority.”
“It is completely natural for any bloc to say it does not want a president who is close to Hezbollah,” the Secretary-General said. However, “there is no bloc that wants a presidential vacuum.”
US preventing Iranian energy projects
He also touched on the energy crisis in Lebanon, noting that all of Lebanon, regardless of sect, was suffering from an energy crisis whose repercussions are affecting the economy and people’s daily lives.”
“A few months ago, we were told to secure fuel from Iran for six months to raise the rationing hours to eight per day and put Lebanon on the track of reaching a solution,” Sayyed Nasrallah said. “We took initiative and contacted Iran. They accepted the Lebanese request for fuel, and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian confirmed that in Beirut.”
“The Iranian offer is still on the table,” he underlined. “The Americans are the ones preventing the offer from being exacted.”
Additionally, the Resistance leader said Lebanon had the opportunity to accept the Iranian fuel, calling on any US-affiliated party or any party close to the US in Lebanon to use their relationship with Washington to get an exception and get Iranian fuel into Lebanon.
“Bring an exemption regarding Iranian fuel from the US and I will guarantee that it reaches Lebanon,” he concluded.
Al Mayadeen conducted in August an exclusive interview with Lebanese Energy Minister Walid Fayyad during which he hailed the Iranian donation of energy resources amid Lebanon’s fuel and power crises that have seen people receive less than two hours of electricity a day.
Meanwhile, he dismissed fears that Beirut will face any penalties for accepting Iran’s fuel donation.
Concerning the mechanism for accepting Iran’s donation to Lebanon, the minister pointed out that it is linked to a decision made by the Lebanese government.
A month later, the Iranian embassy in Beirut told local media outlets that ships loaded with fuel would be sent by Iran within one or two weeks to Lebanon to help run the country’s power plants.
Hezbollah Secretary General His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah delivered a speech in the event that was held to announce the winners of the Martyr Soleimani Literary Award on Tuesday evening.
His Eminence noted that peoples and nations usually honor and appreciate their martyrs, praising that this manner exists in Islam with distinction.
“All the martyrs in Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq, Yemen, and elsewhere are the ones who make the achievements; yet the leaders among them have something that makes them special,” Sayyed Nasrallah underlined, highlighting the importance of Hajj Qassem Soleimani whom he referred to as a martyr who surpassed both time and place; he is the martyr of the nation and even the world.
Recalling Hajj Qassem Soleimani as the prominent, sublime, and key leader in the battle that banned the Americans from occupying our region, the Hezbollah leader referred to the martyred Islamic Revolution Guard Quds Force commander as the liaison of communication within the Axis of Resistance and a major leader in defeating the ‘Greater ‘Israel’’ scheme.
“Hajj Qassem Soleimani spread the morale spirit among all those who worked with him, and it is our duty to remember and present the personalities of martyrs such as him,” Sayyed Nasrallah urged, going further to explain that martyr Soleimani had a great potential to impress the future generations.
As he pointed to the importance of having models such as those martyrs in every generation, the ones who are present in every battlefield, and whose names must be revived as they represent a massive intellectual and spiritual wealth that we must not underestimate, the resistance leader made clear that “we must do this for ourselves and not for their sake alone.”
“We need today to highlight the importance of the role model given our Ummah needs to confront challenges as confronting every challenge requires a leader the like of martyr Qassem Soleimani,” Sayyed Nasrallah added.
Moving to local affairs, the Hezbollah leader urged each Lebanese component to avoid every language that might lead to sectarian incitation regarding the election of a president of the republic.
Assuring that there is no power or parliamentary bloc in Lebanon that wants to absent the top Christian and Maronite post from the political arena, Sayyed Nasrallah explained that there is no side in the Lebanese Parliament that has the two-thirds majority to secure the quorum necessary for electing a president, and emphasized that nobody plans to continue the current presidential void.
As for the electricity crisis, Sayyed Nasrallah lamented that it is making the Lebanese people suffer heavily, leaving its impact on the economy and the people’s normal living.
“We asked the Islamic Republic to provide Lebanon with fuel for six months; our request has been handed to His Eminence Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Sayyed Ebrahim Raisi, and it was approved,” the Hezbollah chief detailed, also noting that “the Iranian fuel offer to Lebanon is still in place for six months but the American side is the one blocking it.”
Reiterating his famous saying that refutes claims of Hezbollah being an Iranian tool in Lebanon, Sayyed Nasrallah underlined that “We are masters to the Wali al-Faqih, and this saying is proven a day after another.” His Eminence went on to ask the anti-Hezbollah political components: What do you mean to the US, Saudi Arabia and other states? Are you masters, slaves, tools, or what else?
Sayyed Nasrallah further addressed the allies of the US in Lebanon by telling them that Hezbollah has the opportunity to solve the fuel crisis in Lebanon, and challenging them to take advantage of their ties with the US to obtain an exception for bringing the Iranian fuel to Lebanon.
“You obtain the exception and I guarantee that the Iranian fuel ships will sail to Lebanon,” His Eminence underlined.
As for now, the fuel tankers docking in the sea are accumulating fines that are to be paid from the Lebanese people’s pockets, Sayyed Nasrallah raised the alarm.
On the level of the dispute caused by Hezbollah’s participation in the previous cabinet session, Sayyed Nasrallah made clear that the resistance group is convinced that the caretaker government has the right to convene for tackling the time-limited and urgent issues.
“Hezbollah exerted efforts to form the government ahead of the presidential void but the formation was not accomplished,” His Eminence went on to say.
Assuring that Hezbollah tries to be partner in solving the problems people are suffering from, Sayyed Nasrallah concluded his speech by underlining that “When we attend the cabinet session, we wouldn’t be challenging anybody but rather working on what we are convinced with to solve the people’s crises.”
Lebanon – Three years ago, on January 2020, the world has observed a very important event, the first Iranian military response to the assassination of Quds Force commander General Qassem Soleimani. The Iranian reprisal was directed against the American base Ain al-Asad in Iraq. This military response came directly after an order by Leader of the Islamic Revolution His Eminence Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei to the leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard [IRG] to carry out a decisive and clear military strike against the Americans.
Regardless of the number of American casualties and the destruction that devastated the notorious American stronghold, the strike by itself is a remarkable event by the full sense of the political and military word.
Never before, has any power, regional or international, dared to challenge the American empire, let alone announce threats and carry them out clearly.
The US doctrine shock and awe that has been carried out by the American troops in many countries and against many governments did not materialize in the Iranian case. In Afghanistan, the Americans occupied the country, and this later on took place in Iraq as well, not to mention many other Latin American governments.
Tehran has never bowed down to the American pressures nor did it surrender to its blackmail.
In every problem Iran suffered or suffers since the advent of the Islamic Republic, Washington has a full hand of aggression and conspiracy.
Nonetheless, Tehran not only confronted the US conspiracy with full determination and resolve but also stood up to the US challenges and retaliated wherever it deemed necessary and has drawn the redlines to the Americans.
The Iranian account record with Washington has not settled down, it is still open as Iran has reserved its right for the just punishment against the American administration under former US President Donald Trump that took the decision to assassinate General Soleimani.
Washington should expect the punishment anytime in the future, as the horrible crime should not go without a very heavy price that the American perpetrators should pay for.
The Axis of Resistance too has its own declared goal to evict the Americans from all over the region. All the efforts should be organized and coordinated to this end. This aim should be pursued relentlessly, the US occupation and military presence should not feel safe at any time anywhere in the region. A time will come when all the region will be free from the American malignant and sinister presence. People’s awareness about the hostility and animosity of the Americans is growing by the day, and their understanding for America’s conspiracies and hegemonic imperialist nature is deepening.
Washington had been sowing the wind decades and it’s time to yield the hurricanes. Hopefully this will be soon!
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani during a ceremony in Baghdad marking the third martyrdom anniversary of resistance commanders (Thursday, January 5, 2023).
Iraq marked on Thursday the third martyrdom anniversary of anti-terror resistance commanders General Qassem Suleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, with leader pledging to preserve achievements secured by martyrs.
A ceremony was held in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on the occasion, and was attended by PM Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, Speaker Mohammed Al-Halbusi, and many other senior officials.
“The commanders of victory foiled the enemies’ plots,” said Abdullah Al-Ilyawi, representing President Abdul Latif Rashid.
He described the US strike which killed Gen. Suleimani and Al-Muhandis near Baghdad International Airport in January 2020 as a denounced crime.
For his part, Al-Sudani said the strike was a flagrant aggression on Iraq, adding that it would have destabilized the entire region.
“The blood of the honored martyred won’t go in vain. And for that purpose, the Iraqi Government is working to preserve its sovereignty.”
Meanwhile, the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Faeq Zaidan said Iraqi authorities won’t hesitate to take all measures against the perpetrators of the January 3 strike that killed the resistance commanders, including former president Donald Trump who ordered the attack.
The Cradle speaks with a senior Hezbollah military official in Iraq on the crucial role played by Iran’s late Quds Force Commander Major General Qassem Soleimani in leading the resistance against ISIS.
Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian commander of the elite Quds Force in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), played a significant role in launching the Iraqi resistance against the US occupation, and subsequently, against the self-proclaimed caliphate of ISIS.
The story of the military operation that led to ISIS’ defeat began with a meeting between Soleimani and Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, who decided to summon a group of Hezbollah field officers based in Syria and Lebanon to a meeting in Damascus. There they would gather to determine how they would help the Iraqis defeat ISIS.
One of these officers, a senior Hezbollah military commander who accompanied Soleimani and fought alongside him in many battles, shared the details of this story in an exclusive interview with The Cradle. To preserve his anonymity, we have used the name Sajed below.
The Cradle:With the emergence of ISIS, Qassem Soleimani’s name began to feature more prominently, both globally and in the region. However, his work in Iraq had begun long before that. What was his role in the Iraqi resistance against the US occupation of Iraq?
Sajed: Hajj Qassem is the commander of the Quds Force in the IRGC, he was a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war, and he knew Iraq well. When the Americans occupied Iraq, some formations that were active against Saddam Hussein’s regime decided to direct their efforts to resisting the occupation.
They asked for Hajj Qassem’s help, and he did not delay in responding. He helped organize these groups, establish training camps, and personally supervised the provision of support, equipment, and weapons to the Iraqi resistance factions.
The Cradle:Following the expansion of ISIS control, Soleimani began to appear more often in public. In one of his speeches, Nasrallah said that Hezbollah was at the forefront of those who were with him. What was the task assigned to Hezbollah and its field officers by Soleimani, and what were the instructions and objectives provided by Nasrallah?
Sajed: After a meeting between Hajj Qassem and Sayyed Nasrallah, a decision was taken to summon a group of Hezbollah cadres, between 12 and 13 people, to a meeting with Hajj Qassem in Damascus. There he informed them that they would go to Iraq to help our brothers in the Iraqi resistance, by transferring the experiences they gained in resisting the Israeli occupation and in the Syrian war.
They were of various specializations, including operational commanders. Everyone was surprised that the mission had just begun and that they were to travel to Baghdad immediately. Some of them asked for an opportunity to bring their personal belongings or to say goodbye to their families, but Hajj Qassem insisted that some of them would leave with him that same night for Baghdad, while the rest were to meet him there shortly afterwards.
The first batch left with Hajj Qassem on the same flight to Baghdad and spent their first night at the home of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (the late deputy head of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units or PMUs). After that, the rest arrived, and the number reached about 30. Hajj Qassem personally distributed roles and missions, and said:
“All of you participated in major operations against Israel and against the takfiris in Syria. What is required of you is to transfer your experiences to our Iraqi brothers, and to show them the same spirit with which you fought the Israelis and defended the shrine of Sayyida Zainab (the burial place outside Damascus of the Prophet Muhammad’s granddaughter).”
Simply put, that was the mission.
After distributing the tasks, each headed to the location assigned to him. This was before the fatwa of the supreme Shia authority in Iraq, Sayyed Ali al-Sistani, on 13 June, 2014, which led to the formation of the PMU, with the aim of confronting the expansion of ISIS and its control over large parts of Iraq.
In addition to ISIS at the time, there were other armed factions [aligned with the terror group] such as the Military Council, which included various militant organizations, including the Twentieth Revolution, the Salah al-Din Brigades, the Brigade of the Messenger of God, the Al-Qaqaa Brigades, and groups from the Baath Party. At that time, they [ISIS] were mainly extending their control towards western Baghdad, after they had captured the city of Mosul, and approached the city of Samarra.
The Cradle:Western and Persian Gulf media promoted the narrative that Soleimani was implementing an Iranian agenda in Iraq. You worked closely with him – is this true, and what was his actual goal in defending Iraq and achieving victory over ISIS and other terrorist organizations?
Sajed: This question should be directed to the Iraqis. I believe that anyone who aims to implement a private agenda will not go so far as to endanger his life. Many times, Hajj Qassem was at the forefront of the attacking groups, and he could have died at any moment.
For example, he was in one of the Hummers that opened the road to Samarra. I do not think that Iran’s agenda in Iraq is based on opening a road to a city, and requires endangering the life of a leader like Hajj Qassem.
His mission was to place all his capabilities and the capabilities of the Islamic Republic in Iran at the service of the Iraqi government. In all his meetings with the Iraqis, he used to tell them:
“The decision is yours. We are only here to help, and anyone who does not comply with your orders can be asked to leave immediately.”
Even on the behavioral level, it was not possible to distinguish between him and any of the other fighters.
The Cradle: We have heard that Soleimani is called the “Man of the Ditches.” Does that mean he was present, on the ground, in some of the battles? Tell us about that.
Sajed: I can say that Hajj Qassem was personally present in all the battles. On 31 August, 2014, he participated in lifting the siege on the city of Amerli. The siege of the city, inhabited by Shia Turkmen, began after the fall of Mosul in July 2014. ISIS militants took control of all the villages surrounding Amerli, isolating the city and depriving it of water, food and medicine for 80 days.
Hajj Qassem was at the forefront of the attacking convoy to lift the siege, and he was ambushed tightly when an explosive device exploded in the Hummer he was traveling in, killing two of those who were with him and injuring two others.
A similar thing happened in the battle of Jurf al-Sakhar in October 2014. This is a very complex area geographically for any attacking forces because of the dense palm groves that surround it, which serves as a cover for the forces defending it. It is also a very important area from a strategic point of view, and it formed an enclave for ISIS through which it can reach the holy cities such as Karbala and Najaf.
After two weeks of attacks, the attacking forces were unable to cut off the road and reach the river bank until Hajj Qassem came. He asked to bring an armored Hummer to head to the river bank, which was about three kilometers away. Getting there practically meant liberating the area from the grip of ISIS. He wanted to explore the area, so he climbed the berm, which was under fire by medium weapons.
One of us said to him, “Do you want us to die?” He replied: “I do not want us to die, but rather that we open the road.” Then the commander of Badr Operations, Abu Muntazer, said to him: “I will take care of things.” To which Hajj Qassem replied: “I will be with you.” But Abu Muntazer insisted that he advance with a group of fighters, and that Hajj Qassem join them later.
After less than ten minutes, Hajj Qassem decided to set off. Immediately, as soon as we crossed the road, Jurf al-Sakhar slipped out of ISIS control like magic. Also in the battle of Al-Dhuluiya, in December 2014, Hajj Qassem insisted on accompanying a young man on a motorbike to explore ISIS-controlled territory on his own. This battle constituted a quantum leap in the war against ISIS, after it liberated the road between Baghdad and Samarra from the terrorists.
The Cradle:There are those who claim that Soleimani fought alongside the US, with the Americans providing air cover while he was on the ground. How true is this assumption?
Sajed: The Americans did not participate in any operation to liberate Iraq from ISIS. In the battle of Tikrit, in March 2015, the PMU finished their preparations to liberate the city, but the Americans intervened with the Iraqi government to prevent the PMU from carrying out the attack.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi decided to assign the anti-terrorism forces and the federal police to carry out the operation, and US planes bombed targets inside the city. When the government forces entered, they were unable to advance much, and it turned out that the American bombing did not cause much damage to ISIS.
As a result, the city was not liberated until after the participation of the PMU in the battle. The US military did not provide air coverage for any of the PMU operations, nor did they participate in any operation to liberate Iraq from ISIS.
The Cradle:After the defeat of ISIS, there was a widespread narrative that attributed the victory to the US-led coalition and tried to present Soleimani as an international terrorist. What is the real story?
Sajed: The coalition forces have not participated in any operations against ISIS. It rejected the request of the government of (former Iraqi Prime Minister) Nuri al-Maliki to intervene against the terrorist organization, and refused to provide the Iraqi army with weapons. The Iraqi army had only four tanks without ammunition, and they were used as binoculars for night vision only.
The only battle in which the Americans participated was in Mosul. For us, resistance is resistance to occupation whoever it may be. But for the Americans, resistance is legitimate when it is against, say President Bashar al-Assad, and it becomes “terrorism” when it is against Israel.
The Cradle:What was the turning point in the war that marked the beginning of ISIS’ defeat?
Sajed: The Battle of Baiji from late December 2014 until late October 2015 was the decisive battle that allowed the resistance to take control of the highway from Baghdad to Baiji, and use Baiji as a base to launch a counter offensive on Mosul.
The fall of Mosul began when the PMU cut the road between Mosul and Syria and prevented supplies from reaching the terrorists in the city. Although the Americans contributed to the battle of Mosul, they were responsible for 99 percent of the losses suffered by the resistance forces.
The Cradle:How were the US responsible?
Sajed: Most of the casualties were caused by suicide bombers. They were driving cars full of explosives, armored and closed on all sides, so that their drivers could not see the road. It was US drones that guide them to the paths that they should take.
The Cradle:Were the PMU limited to Shias only?
Sajed: Of course not. There were and still are Sunnis, Christians, and Yazidis.
The Cradle:There are about 5,000 ISIS members in prisons controlled by the Kurds today. In the event of facilitating their escape, is there a possibility to revive the organization?
Sajed: If this happens the game will be exposed. However, 5,000 is a meager number in a country like Iraq. I think it is impossible for them to be able to even form a small emirate.
The Cradle:Despite the role played by Iran in achieving victory over ISIS, there are negative feelings towards it among a large number of Iraqis – why is this the case?
Sajed: The reason is the media machine that blamed the Islamic Republic for the widespread corruption in Iraq, once under the pretext of its support for the government of Nuri al-Maliki, and again under the pretext of its support for the government of Haider al-Abadi.
Yes, Iran supported the Iraqi government, but it is not responsible for the policy adopted by this government. Supporters of the US and its followers in Iraq made great efforts in the media to hold Iran responsible for all the mistakes committed by Iraqi politicians, in order to turn the Iraqis against the Iranians.
The Cradle:What do you think was the motive behind the assassination of Soleimani on Iraqi soil?
Sajed: They [the US] felt that the presence of Hajj Qassem would be an obstacle to their adoption of the victory over ISIS. He was a major obstacle to the American project in West Asia, just as Hajj Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was a major obstacle to the same project in Iraq.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of The Cradle.
Related Videos
The approach of the martyr Soleimani on the way to Palestine
Karim Younes is free after 40 years… A scene that disturbs the occupation
On 3 January 2020, the US military assassinated Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the elite Quds Force in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with his companion, the deputy head of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
Three years later, the motives for this decision – and its timing – are still being debated. The reasons for the US’s shock killing, however, may not be solely related to Soleimani’s role in regional conflicts, but could also arguably stem from his growing international clout.
Why was Soleimani assassinated?
Soleimani was reportedly responsible for leading Iran’s plan to surround Israel with an arc of missiles and precision drones in the West Asian region – from Lebanon to Syria, Iraq and Gaza, all the way to Yemen – which was viewed by Israeli officials as an existential threat to the Jewish state.
The US has long accused Soleimani of being behind much of the resistance it faced after invading Iraq in 2003, as well as allegedly ordering operations against US forces in the period leading up to his assassination.
The Quds Force commander – along with Muhandis – were critical in the Iraqi effort to defeat ISIS, outside of the control and agenda of the US and its regional allies, who often used the terrorist group to secure political and geographic gains.
Furthermore, the US held Iran, and by extension Soleimani, responsible for the Yemeni attack on Saudi Arabia’s Aramco oil facilities on 14 September, 2019. The Aramco attack was so massive that it disrupted half of Saudi oil production, and was the largest of its kind since former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
A leader in the Resistance Axis
Soleimani was the “keyholder” in the Axis of Resistance, according to an Arab politician with strong ties to decision-making circles in both Washington and Riyadh.
“Hajj Qassem,” says the politician, was uniquely capable of making decisions and then implementing them, which is considered a “rare advantage” among leaders. He was able to achieve significant strategic results – rapidly – by moving freely and negotiating directly with various statesmen, militias, and political movements.
Examples of this are rife: The Quds Force commander persuaded Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2015 to intervene militarily in Syria, and organized the complex ‘frenemy’ relationship between Turkiye and Tehran through Turkish intelligence director Hakan Fidan.
Soleimani played a pivotal role in preventing the fall of Damascus, maintained and developed important links with Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah in Beirut, led a region wide campaign to defeat ISIS, and successfully managed the delicate balances between various political components in Iraq. In Yemen, he was able to supply the Ansarallah movement with training and arms that arguably changed the course of the Saudi-led aggression.
Together or separately, the aforementioned points made him a desired target of assassination for both the US government and the security establishment in Israel.
A visit to Venezuela
There may, however, be additional factors that contributed to the US decision to assassinate Soleimani on 3 January, 2022. While some analysts cite, for instance, the storming of the 2019 US embassy in Baghdad by demonstrators three days before the extrajudicial killing, US decision makers were unlikely to have mobilized its assassins in reaction to this relatively benign incident.
More significant for them would have been Soleimani’s unannounced trip to Venezuela in 2019, which crossed Washington’s red lines within its own geographic sphere of influence.
His visit to the South American country was publicly revealed more than two years later by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, during an interview with Al-Mayadeen in December 2021.
Maduro stated that Soleimani visited Caracas between March and April 2019, during which time the US launched a cyber and sabotage attack on Venezuela, resulting in widespread power outages. He glorified the Iranian general as a military hero who “combated terrorism and the brutal terrorist criminals who attacked the peoples of the Axis of resistance. He was a brave man.”
Although Maduro did not reveal the exact date of the visit, it can be assumed that it took place on 8 April, 2019, and that Soleimani came on board the first direct flight of the Iranian airline Mahan Air between Tehran and Caracas.
At that time, the US attack on Caracas was at its peak: Washington’s recognition of Juan Guaidó as president of Venezuela, comprehensive economic sanctions, and then, at the end of April, the organization of a coup attempt that succeeded only in securing the escape of US-backed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez to the Spanish embassy.
Expanding military ties with Caracas
During Soleimani’s Caracas visit, military cooperation between Iran and Venezuela was likely a key topic of discussion. Prior to his visit, Maduro had announced the establishment of “Popular Defense Units,” or revolutionary militias, to maintain order in the face of US-backed coup attempts.
Both Iranian and Latin American sources confirm that Tehran had a role in organizing these militias. However, the most significant military cooperation between the two countries has been in the field of military industrialization.
Since the tenure of late, former President Hugo Chavez, Venezuela has been working on a project to manufacture drones. This was announced by Chavez on 13 June, 2012, noting that “We are doing this with the help of different countries including China, Russia, Iran, and other allied countries.”
A few months earlier, the commander of the US Army’s Southern Command SOUTHCOM (its assigned area of responsibility includes Central and South America), General Douglas Fries, spoke about the same project, downplaying its importance by claiming that Iran was building drones with “limited capabilities” in Venezuela for internal security purposes.
Developing drones
In fact, Iran, represented by Soleimani’s Quds Force, was busy increasing military cooperation with Venezuela by developing new generations of drones and providing Caracas with spare parts for its existing American-made aircrafts. Interestingly, the raising of the Iranian flag has become routine in the Venezuelan Air Force’s military ceremonies.
On 20 November, 2020, President Maduro delivered a speech announcing plans to produce different types of drones. Near him, on display, was a miniature model of a drone which appeared to be that of the Iranian “Muhajer 6” aircraft that entered service in Iran in 2018.
This issue was raised by then-Israeli Minister of Defense, Benny Gantz, while receiving the heads of American Jewish organizations in February 2022.
Soleimani’s legacy in Latin America
These developments were the direct result of Qassem Soleimani’s efforts. A Venezuelan official has confirmed to The Cradle that the country’s drone project was built with full Iranian support: from training engineers to setting up research and manufacturing centers, all the way to production.
In October 2019, the commander of US Southern Command, Navy Admiral Craig S. Faller, warned that Russia, China, Iran and Cuba were operating in varying capacities in SOUTHCOM’s area of responsibility. He noted, specifically, that Iran’s influence and presence is being felt in South America.
In March 2020, the US SOUTHCOM commander repeated the same warning, placing Iran at the “top of the list of countries” that have assisted Venezuela in skirting US sanctions.
The US has long viewed Latin America as its “backyard” and has sought to prevent the influence of rival or hostile powers in the region through its adherence to the Monroe Doctrine. The influence of Soleimani in the western hemisphere may have been viewed as a threat to US interests and a crossing of this “red line.”
His role in assisting Venezuela in developing military capabilities, including the production of drones, was seen in Washington as a qualitative leap in Iran’s foreign relations and was likely a factor in the decision to assassinate Soleimani.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of The Cradle.
Related Videos
On the Anniversary of Victory Leaders: Which Equations Does Sayyed Nasrallah Draw?
A reading of the positions of Sayyed Nasrallah and the conditions of Lebanon, the region and the world in the dialogue of the resistance community via the Twitter platform
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi commemorates IRGC Quds Force commander martyred leader Qassem Soleimani on the third anniversary of his martyrdom.
A child carrying a poster commemorating martyred leaders Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis
Martyr Major General Qassem Soleimani was a prominent and influential figure on the battlefields of resistance, and he took incredibly unique steps in his line, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said Tuesday on the third anniversary of the martyrdom of Maj Gen Soleimani and Popular Mobilization Forces Vice President Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis.
“Martyr Soleimani worked on and developed the structure of resistance in the region without religious or sectarian discrimination, and it wanted to defend the region from evil,” Raisi underlined.
Furthermore, the Iranian President highlighted that Soleimani was a prime model in combatting arrogance and terrorism, noting that he defeated ISIS and undermined the US all over the world.
“The Americans wanted to rob the peoples of their identity, but martyr Soleimani was working on building and underscoring peoples’ identities,” Raisi said.
“Just as commander Soleimani fended off your expansionist plans, today, martyr Soleimani will quell you once again,” Raisi said. “The Iranian people thwarted your plans of war that you waged in all areas,” Raisi told the enemies of the Islamic Republic.
“We will never forget the blood of martyr Soleimani and know that he will be avenged eventually,” the Iranian President added. “This large crowd and those similar to it all over the world are telling you that you have lost all of these wars, and you will meet a similar fate in all of your upcoming wars.”
Meanwhile, martyr Soleimani’s daughter, Zeinab, called on all of the leaders of the axis of resistance to adhere to the path and line of the martyr and to safeguard his views while fulfilling the rights of the Iranian people.
“The Iranian people have made strides this year, and I thank you dearly for all you have offered so far,” Soleimani added.
During a meeting with the family of martyr Soleimani and the officials of the General Soleimani Commemoration Ceremonies, Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei considered that breathing a new spirit into the Resistance front was an outstanding and essential part of Soleimani’s endeavors.
The Iranian leader explained that “by strengthening the physical, spiritual and mental aspects of the Resistance, the General preserved, equipped and revived this everlasting and growing phenomenon against the Zionist regime and the influence of the US and other arrogant countries.”
Khamenei pointed out that the testimony of Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah about General Soleimani’s struggles is a great means for understanding the importance of the martyr’s work in reviving the Resistance.
“General Soleimani used the experience that he had attained during the period of the Holy Defense as well as the advice of his comrades to strengthen the Resistance by relying on the internal capacities of these same countries,” he highlighted.
The Iranian leader praised Soleimani’s accomplishments and referred to the manner in which the martyr uprooted the terrorist acts of ISIS, pointing out that General Soleimani had done very well in that test.
On January 3, 2020, the US carried out a drone strike authorized by former US president Donald Trump targeting a car carrying the commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC General Qassem Soleimani, and his Iraqi trench-mate and the second-in-command of Iraqi PMU (Popular Mobilization Units), Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
Martyr Soleimani was on an official visit to Iraq and was transported in a car with Martyr al-Muhandis from Baghdad’s International Airport upon his arrival before being assassinated by the US.
Days after his martyrdom, the anti-terror icon’s body was transferred to Iran and was laid to rest in his hometown of Kerman. On Saturday, the head of the special committee in charge of the case, Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaei, confirmed Iran is in the final stages of releasing an official indictment on the murder of IRGC’s Quds Force Commander.
The US, as it does business, as usual, has attempted to block the legal case prosecution. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, noted that “unfortunately, both the Americans and some other western countries are creating obstacles in the way of judiciary procedure, but the Islamic Republic of Iran, too, is not hand-tied.”
Related Videos
Iranian President: Martyr Soleimani defeated “ISIS” and revenge is inevitable
Aleppo – a memorial council in honor of Major General Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis
3 years since Soleimani’s martyrdom.. “Israel” is facing difficult challenges and equations
Special coverage, details that are told for the first time about the martyr Qassem Soleimani, narrated by Sheikh Zuhair Al-Jaid
The martyr Qassem Soleimani, dear Yemen
From Kerman to Tehran, love and loyalty to the martyr leader
Former head of IRGC’s Quds Force General Qassem Suleimani, assassinated by a US drone strike in Baghdad in 2020.
According to Al-Manar reporter in Iran, dozens of thousands of Iranians have visited Martyr Qassem Suleimani’s tomb in Kerman, paying tribute to his soul and recalling his feats.
Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said in a tweet on Monday that the confrontation will not stop, adding that Suleimani is a martyr, leader and role model.
Martyr Suleimani achieved liberation in the battlefield, sustained people’s dignity, and set Palestine and Jerusalem as a major cause, according to Sheikh Qassem.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Qassem said that Trump is an unjust criminal killer, who kills aggressively and openly and supports the Zionist occupation without accountability.
Large billboard-style posters honoring Martyr Commander Suleimani were installed across Gaza Strip in loyalty to his sacrifices he had made for the sake of the Palestinian cause.
On January 3, 2020, a US drone attack claimed the two martyrs Suleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, the former deputy chief of Hashd Shaabi Committee, after targeting their convoy near Baghdad airport.
Martyr Qassem Soleimani’s close friend relates to Al Mayadeen his memories with the Iranian leader for the first time; so what did he say three years after his departure?
Soleimani with his long-time friend, Mahmoud Khaleqi
Three years on… on the anniversary of the assassination of the two leaders, Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, Al Mayadeen conducted an interview with the former’s close friend Mahmoud Khaleqi. What did he say about Soleimani? What was the will he left behind? How did he spend his last days with him before he was martyred?
How he received the news of his martyrdom
“I felt that the whole world was crumbling around me.”
As for his personal qualities, Khaleqi says Martyr Soleimani was renowned for his honesty, sincerity, altruism, courage, and good manners, with a great focus on people’s problems and concerns.
He adds that sometimes when Soleimani was overwhelmed with work and responsibilities, his body would no longer be able to follow up with him. But from a psychological and spiritual point of view, he was a strong, self-made person.
This is how Mahmoud Khaleqi, a close friend of Martyr Qassem Soleimani, describes the news of the latter’s martyrdom. He adds that he received the news of his martyrdom from a friend. Afterward, he headed to Soleimani’s house in Tehran to follow up on matters from there.
On their friendship, Khaleqi says it dates back to 1985, and it was strengthened in 1992 when they headed to Mecca to perform the Hajj act of worship. He adds that on the 18th of Thul-Hijjah, which coincides with the occasion of Eid Al-Ghadir, and in the Sacred Mosque and in front of the Kaaba, “we made the brotherhood promise, and we pledged to always meet in this world.”
Khaleqi had a lot to say about his long-time friend. He describes him as “a person with a high heart and full of kindness, who was the best friend and companion,” adding that he cared about the smallest details of his personal life and gave him honest advice and help.
Regarding his journey during the Holy Defense period, Khaleqi says, “Hajj Qassem was feeling physically tired, and he was also suffering from headaches and had lung problems due to the freedom-fighting track he undertook.”
What was the will Soleimani left behind?
Khaleqi says that in the early nineties of the last century, Soleimani spoke to him for the first time about his shrouding and burial when they were visiting the cemetery of the martyrs of the city of Kerman. He notes that “Martyr Soleimani used to sit in the same place where he is currently buried, i.e., next to the shrine of Martyr Commander Hossein Yousef Saif Elahi.”
He adds that at that time, Soleimani told him, “If I die or was martyred, let this place here be my final resting place,” asking to be buried right next to Martyr Saif Elahi. Khaleqi continues to say that Soleimani asked him several times to be the one who shrouds and lays him down in the grave upon his martyrdom. He also asked him to bury the ring he prayed with along with him, in addition to a piece of cloth signed by religious references and scholars, which attests to his good conduct, as his friend recalls.
“A decapitated body”
Khaleqi stresses that everyone thought that the martyr’s body was complete, “because there was no opportunity to open the shroud completely and there was no need for that, so we did not do it.”
He confirms that Martyr Soleimani’s head was separated from his body. Khaleqi recalls how he buried his brother Martyr Mohammad 32 years ago, in 1986, explaining that his head was separated from his body, and so was the case of Martyr Soleimini.
He got what he wanted; martyrdom
Khaleqi says, “Hajj Qassem wished for martyrdom.” His friend recalls how he used to ask everyone he met to pray for him to die as a martyr and not a normal death.
“And he got what he wanted,” Khaleqi confirms.
He continues to say, “His martyrdom came in a situation that no one could have ever thought of,” as it came when his most beloved bits and pieces came together. “He was martyred on the blessed Friday eve, on the [sacred] land of Iraq, and with [his long-time companion] Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, along with his righteous companions, in addition to how he was martyred, not to mention the majestic funeral that was held for him,” Khaleqi recalls.
Four nights prior to his eternal departure
Khaleqi tells Al Mayadeen how four nights before his martyrdom, Martyr Soleimani came to the city of Qom and how they spent several hours in the shrine of Sayyeda Fatima Al-Masouma performing prayers and making supplications. He adds that he insisted on accompanying Soleimani to Tehran, and 100 hours after they parted in front of his house in Tehran, he was martyred.
Regarding the conversation that took place between them, Khaleqi said, “It was a regular conversation about cognitive and ethical research and some local and foreign political affairs, in addition to family and personal matters.”
At the end of his interview for Al Mayadeen, Khaleqi pointed out that Martyr Soleimani viewed all human beings on the basis of equality without any discrimination, stressing that if Soleimani was present today, he would be more than willing to sacrifice himself for everyone without exception because his love was not exclusively for religious people and Iran, but for all peoples.
Khaleqi called for taking Soleimani out of the political, partisan, and sectarian calculations and getting to know this all-inclusive person who sacrificed himself for the sake of everyone.
In a statement commemorating the third anniversary of Martyr Soleimani, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) considered revenge against the perpetrators and murders of Martyr Soleimani as certain.
The statement said that the three years since the martyrdom of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani the discourse of Resistance and anti-Arrogance around the world has matured.
Referring to the school of Martyr Soleimani, the statement added that Martyr Haj Qassem is a lasting legend and myth not only for Iran and Iranians but also for the Anti-Arrogant and anti-Zionist Resistance front in the world.
According to the statement, Martyr Soleimani following the instructions of Imam Khomeini (RA) and Imam Khamenei, had firmly set to respond to the needs of the revolution, Iran, and the Muslim nations of the region in dealing with Takfiri terrorism and ISIL by using the capacities of the Resistance Front and its allies and supporters.
The statement further added that the strength and vitality of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in advancing the strategy of supporting and accompanying the Islamic Resistance Front indicate the continuation of the path of General Soleimani and the survival of the ideal of the Iranian nation in supporting the Palestinian nation and the liberation of Quds.
The statement considered taking revenge on the perpetrators and murderers of Martyr Soleimani as a “definite” and “inviolable” matter and further stated that the IRGC monitors the process of expelling the US from the West Asian region and deems the promotion of the schools of figures such as General Soleimani schools in Iran as undeniable strategies of the IRGC.
In the end, the Guards reiterated that they will sacrifice their lives for the sake of the homeland and the nation against the global hegemonic system and Zionism.
The head of the Iranian special committee in charge of the case, Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaei, says that the US committed an unforgivable crime.
The head of the Iranian special committee responsible for pursuing the legal case of the assassination of Martyr Qassem Soleimani, Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaei.
Iran is in the final stages of releasing an official indictment on the case of the murder of IRGC’s Quds Force Commander, Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, by the United States back in 2020, according to an Iranian official.
The head of the special committee in charge of the case, Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaei, said on Saturday that the Judiciary in the Islamic Republic and the foreign ministry have taken measures to accurately follow the case.
“In the criminal aspect, the indictment related to this case is nearing its final stages and we hope that it will reach good result,” he said.
Kadkhodaei made the announcement during an event on the fight against terrorism and extremism in West Asia.
On January 3 of 2020, the US carried out a drone strike authorized by former US president Donald Trump targeting a car carrying the commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC General Qassem Soleimani, and his Iraqi trench-mate and the second-in-command of Iraqi PMU (Popular Mobilization Units), Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
Martyr Soleimani was on an official visit to Iraq and was being transported in a car with Martyr al-Muhandis from Baghdad’s International Airport upon his arrival, before being assassinated by the US.
“This is an unforgivable crime and the American officials who committed this crime and accepted responsibility for it must be tried and punished for their action,” Kadkhodaei, who is an advisor to the foreign minister, continued.
“The US tries to resort to every means to secure its illegitimate interests.”
During an address to the 77th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last September, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi raised a picture of the former commander of the Quds Force and called for punishing former US President Donald Trump, who ordered the assassination of Soleimani in a barbaric and illegal manner.
“The previous president of the United States [Trump] effectively managed to sign the document of the savage crime, an illegal crime, an immoral crime,” he indicated.
It’s noteworthy that earlier this month, former Iraqi PM Mustafa Kadhimi had local lawmakers contemplating his arrest for allegedly being involved in the assassination of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani by the US in 2020.
A senior official in the State of Law Coalition, Fadel al-Zerigawi, stated during an interview with Iraqi news outlet Shafaq News last Monday that Kadhimi is hiding inside the US embassy.
Although Kadhimi previously vowed to expel all foreign military forces from the country, US troops remained but were given the option to “rename” their position as “advisory roles”.
Indeed, when applied geopolitically and militarily vis-a-vis Zion’s war on the Islamic Republic of Iran and its Mouqawamah Bloc partners, the “chazakah” sought by the Jews in this instance is the elimination of the Dauntless and Defiant trifecta of Suleimani (R.A.), Al-Mohandes (R.A.) and al-Zaydi, which will bring “peace” to the “house” of World Jewry because the most effective personalities in countering its intrigue, these “Viceroys of Amalek”, will be no more. And because the afterlife is barely an afterthought at best in Judaism, with Jewish scholars noting that “Judaism is focused on life and how to live it”, and with the “Torah” having ZERO – repeat, ZERO – mention of it at all, Jews can’t comprehend the Culture of Martyrdom present in Iran as well as Ansarullahi Yemen and elsewhere that keeps its adherents resisting no matter what calamities they face down. Keeping this in mind, al-Zaydi lives, alhamdulillah, and Jewish plots against him and Kata’ib Imam Ali persist as a result.
That was the “spiritual” angle. Now, the historical facets of the ramped up Zionist onslaught against Iraq and Syria are staring everyone right in the face via the name of Shibl al-Zaydi’s group of Righteous Renegades: Kata’ib IMAM ALI (A.S.) The brother, successor and son-in-law of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) was a tour-de-force against the Jewish Power Configuration of his era and on the battlefield, he mopped the floor with the Yahoudlings. Because the Jews were impotent when confronting Haydar al-Karrar (A.S.) eye-to-eye, they collapsed into the shadows, their home, hatching a scheme of subterfuge to dispatch the Imam (A.S.) It was a Jew, Ibn Muljim (L.A.), who assassinated him in the most cowardly manner of cowardly manners, driving a poison sword into his head as he was in prayer in the masjid. Exactly like the cowardly fashion the US and ‘Israel’ murdered Suleimani (R.A.) and Al-Mohandes (R.A.), slaughtering them with a flying robot while they were unarmed on a peace mission. Verily, the similarities between Amir al-Mou2mineen (A.S.) and his modern-day acolytes, the Knight of Kerman (R.A.) and the Brightness of Basra (R.A.), are vast. Most especially in the identical enemy opposing them.
Understanding this struggle as an ideological one will give us better insights into how Dajjal and its lieutenants operate. It is Judaism driving the latest flare-up against Iran currently, along with the war on Islam historically. Not just Zionism, which is merely the political outgrowth of Judaism. The Jewish obsession with the number 3 and the Halakhic-Talmudic-Kabbalistic need to “make permanent” all things in line with the “mitzvot” of the “Torah” is demented. Simply demented. This Judaic fanaticism is dangerous to the umpteenth degree. For the Iraqi Islamic Resistance and the Mouqawamah Bloc of course, yes, but also the whole of the globe. We pray for ALLAH (SWT) to encase in armor all pure-souled opponents of Shlomo as the battle against Jewish supremacist evil rages.
And we sincerely pray for the Jews to hearken to the teachings of Rasoulallah (S.A.W.W.) and Christ (A.S.) before they take us and themselves into oblivion. To say they’re too far out in front of their skis and have been for quite some time is the understatement of… Well… the 40 some odd centuries they’ve been around, wandering about and tormenting Gentiledom along the way.
It didn’t come as a surprise that the Daesh Takfiri group claimed responsibility for the dastardly terrorist attack at the revered Shah Cheragh shrine in Shiraz on Wednesday.
The modus operandi employed by the Kalashnikov-yielding terrorist who went on a rampage at the 12th-century shrine belonging to a descendant of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was straight out of the Daesh playbook.
So, quite expectedly, the group in a statement posted on their website Amaq News bragged about the carnage, which left at least 15 people dead and dozens of others injured.
Among the victims were 4-year-old Artin’s parents and brother, who had gone to the shrine for evening prayers. Artin was lucky to survive and is recuperating from injuries at a local hospital in Shiraz.
A child who was injured in the terror attack on the Shah Cheragh shrine in Shiraz recounts how the deadly attack happened. pic.twitter.com/vD3peUiNSL
— Press TV’s Terrorism Tracker (@Tracking_Terror) October 26, 2022
The terrorist, whose identity hasn’t been disclosed yet, reportedly aimed to target the congregational prayers inside the main hall of the shrine, but the shrine staff shut the door on him, preventing a bigger massacre.
Let’s get this straight. Contrary to popular perception, Daesh hasn’t been decimated or consigned to the dustbin of history yet. The group, driven by the toxic Takfiri ideology, is very much active and thriving.
It reminds me of what Lebanese Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said some time ago. The self-anointed Daesh regime in Iraq and Syria was annihilated by the resistance axis led by Iran’s famed anti-terror commander Lt. Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
But, as a group and ideology, Daesh is still very much there – in Iraq, in Syria, in Afghanistan – overtly and covertly backed by Western powers.
It’s no secret how Daesh fighters were shipped from Iraq and Syria in military helicopters to Afghanistan, to fill the vacuum left by the US-led NATO military alliance. Those who deny this fact need a reality check.
This is the group that wreaked havoc in Iraq and Syria for years and continues to carry out diabolic attacks on religious and ethnic minorities in Afghanistan in line with the roguish agenda of Western hegemonic powers.
The far-right Takfiri ideology that drives these brainwashed terrorists, according to which anything not in sync with their rigid interpretation of religion must be exterminated, is essentially designed to sow seeds of discord among Muslims and malign the image of Islam. That is precisely where the interests of Daesh and Western powers converge.
A terrorist attack on the Shah Cheragh shrine in the Iranian city of Shiraz in Fars province leaves over a dozen people dead. pic.twitter.com/J6Rn4kIr8x
— Press TV’s Terrorism Tracker (@Tracking_Terror) October 27, 2022
The criminal collusion between them has been on full display in regional countries in recent years. And now they have shown the audacity to target the Islamic Republic of Iran, attacking the country’s sacred religious places and spilling innocent blood to incite sectarian tensions and civil war.
The last time Daesh footprints were spotted in Iran was in 2017 when the group targeted the mausoleum of the late founder of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khomeini, and the parliament building, leaving at least 17 dead and hundreds of others injured.
This is a moment of reckoning for people in Iran, cutting across sectarian, regional, and ideological lines, to thwart evil plots designed to cause social disintegration in the country. It’s also important that regional countries join hands with the Islamic Republic to confront and defeat this hydra-headed monster before it swallows them.
The fact that Wednesday’s attack came amid foreign-backed unrest and riots in Iran makes it even more sinister and dastardly.
It won’t be an exaggeration to state that the anarchy and mobocracy seen across Iran in recent weeks essentially paved the ground for this cold-blooded massacre, which makes the Western powers that instigated rioters directly complicit in this diabolic crime.
As Iran’s foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian quite rightly remarked on Thursday, it’s a “multi-layered project” by enemies to fuel insecurity in the country.
Viewer discretion is advised!
New photos emerge from the aftermath of the deadly terror attack on the holy shrine of Shah Cheragh in Shiraz pic.twitter.com/3F3gQQWNiU
— Press TV’s Terrorism Tracker (@Tracking_Terror) October 26, 2022
What is also worth noting is the target chosen by the terrorist group – a holy shrine in a city known as Iran’s cultural capital. Shiraz, the capital of southern Fars province, is among the major tourist attractions in Iran, known for its picturesque gardens, ruins from Achaemenid era, mausoleums of legendary Persian poets Hafiz and Saadi, as well as the city’s rich heritage.
The objective appears to be fuelling insecurity, instilling fear, and turning Iran into another Afghanistan or Syria, so that tourists stop coming and locals live in constant fear.
There are very few hashtags for victims of Daesh terrorism in Shiraz, which is not surprising though. It goes to show not all lives matter. Had it been Paris or London or New York, it would be a different story altogether. But this is the Islamic Republic of Iran, the country that has singlehandedly challenged the hegemony of arrogant global powers and laid bare their evilness.
Hence, it’s only understandable why the corporate Western media, an extended arm of the Western military-industrial complex, has willfully shut its eyes to the bloodletting in Shiraz, treating it as a normal incident.
The same media brazenly distorted facts in the case of Mahsa Amini’s death and instigated deadly riots in Iran that cost many precious lives.
The self-righteous human rights advocates in the West, who miss no opportunity to decry Iranian authorities for using force to maintain law and order, especially amid foreign-backed riots, have also been silent. Their silence amounts to both complicity and cowardice.
As Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raeisi have categorically stated, this terrorist act will not go unanswered. The perpetrators and their backers will have to pay the price. It’s important to nip this evil in the bud.
Syed Zafar Mehdi is a Tehran-based journalist, political commentator and author. He has reported for over 12 years from India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir and Middle East for leading publications worldwide.
(The views expressed in this article are author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of Press TV.)
Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:
Hezbollah Secretary General His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah delivered on Saturday a speech commemorating the memory of Sayyed Mohammad Ali Al-Amin.
As he praised the noble traits of the late cleric, Sayyed Nasrallah recalled that “The true history of our countries and nations is known through our clerics.”
His Eminence further urged collective efforts to preserve our history as “Much of what has been written is an imagined and assumed history.”
“His Eminence lived the incidents including the establishment of the usurping entity, the displacement of Palestinian people, the 1967 war and the successive ‘Israeli’ aggressions on Lebanon, the latest of which was the 206 aggression,” Sayyed Nasrallah stated.
On the same level, the Resistance Leader called for preserving the blessing of the Resistance. “We must not be affected with the voices that don’t suggest any other alternative,” he added, noting that “The current sense of security and dignity in the south was a victory created in Lebanon and by its people.
Denouncing the fact that “There are no values, ethics or international law in this world, which is governed by the law of the jungle,” His Eminence reminded that “The calmness the people enjoy today, especially the southerners, has been made in Lebanon at the hands of the men of Resistance; this Resistance has presented tangible victories and achievements.”
Moving to the Palestinian front, Sayyed Nasrallah viewed that “The Palestinians have no choice other than resistance as they have turned desperate from negotiations while the Resistance in the West Bank, Gaza, and all regions is rising.”
On the maritime demarcation negotiations with “Israel”, he considered that the written proposal that was presented to the Lebanese presidencies forms a “a very important step.”
“Following months of political, field, and media resistance, today the Lebanese heads of state received the written proposal on the issue of the maritime border demarcation,” His Eminence clarified, pointing out that “The importance of what happened today is that there is a written text and not just mere words.”
Moreover, Sayyed Nasrallah emphasized that “We’ll be facing a decisive week on the level of the maritime border demarcation between Lebanon and the occupied Palestine as the Lebanese authorities prepare their response to an offer that could “open up wide horizons for the Lebanese people.”
“We can extract our resources when we benefit from our strength and unity. We hope that things finally turn good in favor of Lebanon and all the Lebanese people; which in case achieved will open wide horizons to the people of Lebanon. When we stand together and use our available elements of strength we can reach good results,” he added.
He further mentioned that if a deal was reached, it wouldn’t be a result of the US and “Israeli” “generosity” but rather the result of “Lebanon’s strength”.
Regarding the internal Lebanese front, Hezbollah Secretary General viewed that “Holding the session to vote on electing a President of the Republic was an important issue and the turnout confirms what we have been saying that no political alliance in Lebanon possesses the majority.”
“Thursday’s parliamentary session stressed that those who want to elect a president for Lebanon must shun the approach of confrontation and the presidents and candidates of confrontation,” he elaborated.
In parallel, Sayyed Nasrallah wondered “How would a country be run by a president who wants to challenge a major part of the Lebanese people given the deep crisis in the country and the global developments?”
He, thus, urged the political forces to “consult among each other and activate their contacts in the coming period in order to reach a choice the enjoys a majority in parliament.”
“We are short on time regarding the formation of the Lebanese government,” The resistance Leader warned, adding that “The illegal emigration on the boats of death is almost a crime, and we call on serious and judicial investigation on this level.”
On another level, Sayyed Nasrallah cautioned that “The state of ‘Daesh’ [Arabic Acronym for the terrorist ‘ISIS’ group] has collapsed, but ‘Daesh’ as a scheme, organization, and tool still exist.”
“The extent of the US breach of Daesh is huge and a big part of this organization has been transferred to Afghanistan where we are witnessing what is taking place there,” he elaborated.
Moving to the Iranian scene, Sayyed Nasrallah stated that “The United States exploits any incident in Iran in order to provoke the nation against the Islamic establishment, the latest of which is the protests that have broken out following Ms. Amini’s tragic death.”
He also lamented the fact that “The world was moved because an Iranian lady who died in unclear circumstances but turned a blind eye to 50 martyrs in Afghanistan.”
“US-backed vandals took advantage of the unclear circumstances surrounding her death to challenge the Islamic Republic after their so-called campaign of maximum pressure dismally failed,” he said, recalling that “‘Daesh’ was made by the US, and the US intelligence apparatuses are still protecting, facilitating its funding, and transferring more members to it.”
His Eminence went on to warn that “The aim behind imposing sanctions on Iran is to incite the people against the Islamic regime, as it is in Lebanon to incite the people against the Resistance.”
According to Sayyed Nasrallah, “The US’ cruel sanctions against Iranians were meant to pit the people against the Islamic state. The successive US administrations have realized that Iran is a strong, dignified and capable country; and that explains why it doesn’t dare to wage a war on the country and restores to agitating internal disputes.”
“Iran enjoys great capabilities, so the US uses all tools to incite provocations against the Islamic Republic. Western and Gulf media outlets are working to incite the Iranian people against the Islamic state, he said, noting that “The US administrations have established troll armies across social media platforms to undermine Iran, but all to no avail.”
“The global media viewed those who took to the streets in the recent events as the Iranian people, but when millions took to the streets in support of the Islamic regime they turned silent, he stressed.
However, His Eminence assured that “All the schemes are unable to harm the Islamic Republic of Iran because of the nation’s readiness to make sacrifices. It is enough for those fools to watch the Iranian people’s commemorations of the different occasions, and the historic funeral of martyr Hajj Qassem Soleimani to see the will of the Iranian people. The blessed Islamic Republic of Iran is stronger and braver than ever. The Islamic Republic, with its Leader and people, could not be defeated
“Iran does not have any colonial intentions in the Middle East region. The Islamic Republic cannot be defeated, and holding bitter enmity towards it will cause huge losses for the entire Muslim world,” Sayyed Nasrallah added.
He also criticized some Iraqi groups for forgetting about the tremendous and heroic sacrifices made by General Qassem Soleimani: “How would the Iraqis befriend Saudi Arabia that sent 5000 suicide bombers to their country? How would the Iraqis forget Iran’s support with arms and money to defend Iraq against ‘Daesh’? Hadn’t been for Iran after the ‘Camp David Agreement’, where would Palestine and al-Quds have been? And where would have Lebanon and ‘Israel’ been?”
Related Videos
Reading the latest developments with Brigadier General Elias Farhat / With the event
Lebanese entitlements and crises… and the repercussions of the war in Ukraine on Europe / d. Mahmoud Jebai and Dr. Makram Makhoul
UPROOTED PALESTINIANS: SALAM ALQUDS ALAYKUM 