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(Baghdad: Al Furat News) A parliamentary source revealed that Parliament will issue a parliamentary decision today regarding the American aggression in Iraq.
The source did not explain the nature of this decision. The United States had killed and wounded about 70 fighters from the Hizballah brigades of the Popular Mobilization in the district of Al-Qaim, west of Anbar province, last Sunday. A US air plane also assassinated the raid of the deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Organization, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, and the commander of the Quds Force in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Qassem Soleimani, and a number of people with them near Baghdad International Airport last Friday. The Presidency of the Parliament decided to hold a special session scheduled today, Sunday, to discuss the implications of the American attacks and to discuss a proposal to remove the American forces from the country.
Rap: Soleimani was a regional threat and Washington has the right to self-defense
January 05, 2020
Rap said Tehran could not go on with its "heinous activities"
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Rapp said on Sunday that Qassem "Soleimani was a" regional threat "and that" the United States has the right to self-defense "and that London is sympathetic" to the situation in which (the United States) found itself, "but we want a reduction in escalation now." The
Rapp added that he had spoken to Iraqi President Barham Salih and outgoing Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi to urge them to reduce the escalation of tensions in the region after the killing of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, who is listed on the US terrorism list.
The British Foreign Secretary added that the UK will take all necessary measures to reduce the risks posed to Britain and its forces.
The British minister considered that "nobody will benefit from war in the Middle East. The only beneficiaries are ISIS and terrorists."
Rapp called on Iran to engage in "meaningful" diplomacy, noting that Tehran cannot proceed with its "heinous activities."
At the same time, he stressed the importance of reducing escalation in the Middle East to avoid "an accidental war," stressing that war in the region is not in anyone's interest.
Rap is traveling to Washington to meet his US counterpart Mike Pompeo, on Thursday, after meeting his French and German counterparts to discuss the killing of Soleimani.
Rap indicated that he also plans to speak to the Iranian foreign minister.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the prime minister, who has yet to comment on Soleimani's killing, will also speak with political leaders within the next two days.
The spokeswoman added that Johnson will likely hold talks with US President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Al-Hakim and Zarif discuss by phone the implications of Soleimani's assassination and developments in Iraq and the region
[Baghdad-where] The Iraqi and Iranian foreign ministers discussed, during a telephone conversation between them today, the repercussions of the terrorist action represented in the assassination of the Quds Force commander, Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, who was recently executed by America.
And the Iranian [IRNA] news agency quoted the media department at the Foreign Ministry as saying that the Minister of Government had telephoned this afternoon, Zarif, to offer condolences for the martyrdom of Lieutenant-General Qassem Soleimani. He also discussed with him the latest developments in the region and Iraq. For his part, Zarif described during the contact with al-Hakim the feet of the American military forces that led to the martyrdom of Soleimani and the deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Organization, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and his companions, as a terrorist act, stressing the need to respect the independence of Iraq and the sovereignty of its lands.
Can the Iraqi parliamentary blocs cancel the agreement with America?Some argue that the United States has caused the country to be handed over to pro-Iranian armed factions
Sunday 5 January 2020
The assassination of Soleimani and the engineer may cause the Shiite blocs to vote to cancel the agreement (AP)
Not only did the political blocs stop at the limits of denouncing the American strike that targeted Iran's Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani and deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Organization Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, but voices rose again to demand the cancellation of the strategic framework agreement between Iraq and America, and the expulsion of American forces from the country.
Perhaps the recent tensions between Washington and the armed factions close to Tehran inside Iraq have aggravated the government position, which did not appear to be controlling or controlling the initiative since the start of the Iraqi protests in the beginning of last October until the incident of the bombing of the Soleimani convoy and the engineer at Baghdad International Airport.
But what further aggravated the situation between Baghdad and Washington, was the recent bombardment that politicians of various currents considered violating the country's sovereignty and entering Iraq into a war of regional and international axes, which led to the escalation of a wave of anger politically and calling for the agreement to be canceled between Iraq and the United States of America.
Shiite consensus
The Iraqi parliament is under great pressure from the blocs that have armed factions to take measures aimed at canceling the security agreement, but the views of the parliamentary blocs seem divided in this regard, as the parliament did not succeed in holding a session last Monday to discuss the American bombing of the headquarters of the crowd.
Iraqi political forces are divided in the framework of canceling the agreement, but the Shiite forces that own the majority in the Iraqi parliament seem to often with the abolition of the agreement, and American raids contributed to the acceleration of such a decision.
The leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, has always called for the abolition of the security agreement with America, calling on the political forces to join hands and remove them from the country, but he renewed this position after the bombing that attacked the bases of the Popular Mobilization before it, and members of the "Saeron" bloc had announced earlier that Voting on its abolition will be his first mission in the new year.
On the other hand, the "Al-Fateh" coalition, which includes political currents that have factions in the popular crowd led by Hadi al-Amiri, president of the Badr Organization, is pushing for a vote to cancel the agreement, which could put great pressure on the Shiite blocs.
But Kurdish and Sunni political blocs seem to reject the cancellation of the agreement, due to concerns related to the security of Kurdistan, as well as Sunni fears of the infighting of armed factions over their cities.
While MPs and politicians are calling for the need to cancel the agreement and remove the security forces as a response to national sovereignty, others see that America has caused Iraq to surrender Iraq to the armed factions loyal to Iran, and it must correct this situation before its departure.
But observers believe that the removal of US forces from Iraq in this circumstance may turn it into an enemy country relative to America, which would lead to political and economic sanctions against it.
Betrayal of the homeland
In the context, the parliamentary "coalition" coalition called on the Iraqi government to respond to repeated violations by America and cancel the security agreement, while representatives in the bloc considered that who would not attend the parliament session, in order to vote on the decision, is considered a "traitor to his country."
"The Iraqi government must make a harsh response to America, and the House of Representatives must vote with an extraordinary session for the exit of the occupier and the abolition of the security agreement concluded between the two parties," said the deputy of the Badr bloc, a bloc of the Al-Fatah coalition in the Iraqi parliament.
"We say to America, we will have an unexpected response, because it has crossed the red lines."
While the deputy of the "Sadikon" bloc, affiliated to Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Ahmad Al-Kinani, wrote in a tweet on Twitter that "tomorrow (Sunday) will be a day of sovereignty or sovereignty, and the martyrs will rejoice or their sacrifices will be wasted, either we vote for the exit of the occupation forces Or, we remain submissive, deprived of will and dignity. "
A dangerous exit
On the other hand, the politician Athel Nujaifi says, "It is Iran that controls Iraq and its project is the ruler. Therefore, we do not want this agreement to end and our relationship with the world and the international community to be broken before things are restored to the right thing."
"When America entered Iraq, it turned him over to the armed factions loyal to Iran, and we want to correct this situation before it leaves," he added, adding that "the United States of America should not leave Iraq and leave Iraq prey to these factions."
It is likely that the forces calling for the abolition of the agreement to take real measures, indicating that it "states that the start of the withdrawal takes place after a year of cancellation by written request from one of the parties, which means that the implementation of the decision will be in the hands of the next government and parliament."
Kurdish fears
Observers say that the Kurdish political currents see the necessity of the American presence to maintain security and control of the borders and the tense Iraqi interior, pointing out that the decision to remove them may not be implemented in the region.
And the journalist Saman Noah explains that "the positions of the Kurdish parliamentary blocs are not announced yet, but what is clear is their belief that the American presence is necessary in order to maintain security, borders, and control of the troubled Iraqi interior."
And he affirms that "the Kurds are looking for strategic relations with America and a continued presence, especially in the region," noting that "the fears revolve around facing ISIS and those related to the Turkish extension, as well as other concerns about Iran, which bombed several border areas in the Kurdistan region."
He notes that "the Iraqi arena may be a battleground between the United States and Iran. Therefore, the American presence to some extent guarantees safety for these areas," expressing his belief that "the greater part of the Sunni political forces as well as all Kurdish forces, will not agree to cancel Agreement. "He adds that "the decision to remove American forces may not be implemented in the region because it has a kind of sovereignty that Baghdad cannot currently influence."
Parking subject to outside
Politicians believe that the assassination of Qassem Soleimani changed the positions of the Shiite political currents towards the agreement with America, suggesting the possibility of abolishing it and collecting the political majority for that.
"The political forces are divided into two parts, the first wants to cancel the agreement, and the second part is conservative about this procedure," independent politician Muhammad al-Okili said, adding to "Independent Arabia" that these positions are subject to the mood of some countries that have influence in Iraq.
He notes that "targeting Soleimani and the engineer will change attitudes toward Shiite political currents," suggesting the possibility of voting to cancel the agreement in the Iraqi parliament, according to the political majority.
He adds that "the Shiite political blocs will use the demands of the protesters, who have become a key player in the political framework, calling for the independence of the Iraqi decision, to vote on the abolition of the agreement," declaring that "the interest of Iraq must be achieved and it is unreasonable to remain vulnerable to the American-Iranian conflict."
As for the professor of political science, Qahtan Al-Khafaji, he says that "canceling the security agreement with America is unlikely in light of the current political intersections between the parliamentary blocs."
He continues to "The Independent Arabia" "ending the agreement in light of the intensification of the American-Iranian conflict gives the impression to Washington that Iraq is lining up with Tehran in this battle," noting that "this may enter Baghdad within the framework of US sanctions."
A year for complete withdrawal
In November 2008, the two countries signed the Strategic Framework Agreement for Joint Defense and the Promotion of Security and Stability in Iraq, stating that they are to deter all threats against the country's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, through the development of defense and security arrangements, and the agreement obliges the two parties to cooperate within the framework of Security and defense.
The agreement also specifies mechanisms for amending or canceling it, stating that it "shall remain in effect unless either party provides a written notice to the other party intending to terminate this agreement, and the effect of the termination shall take effect after one year from the date of such notification." It also indicates that "it is permissible Amending this agreement with the written consent of both parties and in accordance with the constitutional procedures in effect in both countries.
According to these data, even if a vote to abolish it is approved, the American forces will not withdraw until one year after that.
An estimated 5,000 American soldiers are in Iraq, most of them "Marines" who have returned to Iraq at the request of the previous government in the context of fighting ISIS and training Iraqi security forces.
Hizbullah sends a message to Iraqi Parliament Speaker Muhammad al-Halbousi
Publication date:05.01.2020
AFP Jim WATSON
The head of the Iraqi Council of Representatives (Parliament) Muhammad Al-Halbousi
The Hezbollah Brigades in Iraq today sent a message to Parliament Speaker Muhammad Al-Halbousi, asking him to take a firm stand on the presence of the American forces in the country.
Hezbollah calls on Iraqi security to stay away from American bases for at least 1000 AD
The security official in the Phalanges Abu Ali Al-Askari wrote in a tweet on Twitter: "Our peace to Halbousi ... tomorrow and after our eyes on you, you carefully monitor what your decisions will lead to the presence of the Crusader occupation forces."
He added: "We were following your video calls with the embassy of evil before the day of the prayer, and we thank you for your objection to the killing of our brothers in Qaim. Complete this national position by approving the removal of the invading forces."
The message of the "Hezbollah" brigades comes after calling on the Iraqi security forces to stay away from the bases of the American forces throughout the country, for a distance of not less than 1000 meters, starting on the evening of Sunday, January 5.3
American options in Iraq after the killing of Soleimani and the engineer
The Washington Institute has identified 3 possible options and paths that the United States might take to deal with the current situation in Iraq, after the "Blue Lightning" operation that killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Qods Force in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of the Popular Mobilization in Iraq.
The first track is to continue the current approach that requires neutrality and leave the protesters and religious and moderate leaders in Iraq alone, or to pursue a second path by imposing maximum sanctions for anti-American elements in Iraq to include politicians and militia men, while the third track that the Institute expects is secession and withdrawal from Iraq, whether At the request of the government or Washington's suspension of security cooperation.
Crossroads
In the context of a recent report, the Institute drew attention to the fact that the current crisis was long awaited, following the seizure of militias supported by Iran, most notably the Hezbollah Brigades, in the main areas and responsibilities, including the Prime Minister's Office, the government center, the diplomatic area, Baghdad Airport, and highways Iran is linked to Syria, in addition to managing the country's airspace, and dozens of Iraqi protesters were killed last year to prevent them from reaching the Iranian embassy, while allowing the American embassy to be attacked.
Continuity
The report mentioned that the first options are to continue the current approach that requires protesters, religious leaders, and moderates in Iraq to be largely left alone, with the United States contented only with responding to serious attacks targeting American citizens or facilities.
More militancy
The report pointed out that many American officials are currently hinting at a second course that may involve maximum sanctions to deter anti-American elements in Iraq, including imposing sanctions on a much broader list that includes politicians and militiamen for their role in launching or facilitating attacks on American facilities or committing violations Human rights against the Iraqis.
Washington could also withhold exemptions from sanctions on Iraqi gas and electricity purchases from Iran if Baghdad fails to protect Americans and diplomatic headquarters, as well as take preventive measures in the future to protect its bases against Iran directly.
Separation
The third possible path expected by the institute is separation, whether at the request of Iraq or Washington's suspension of security, economic and diplomatic cooperation, but no one in the US government defends this path, but it may become necessary if the Iraqi government orders American employees to exit through new legislation or If you fail to protect them from militia attacks. In both cases, the institute expected that the consequences would be severe, whether temporarily or in the long term, as security cooperation against ISIS in general may stop, and non-US members will leave within the "Joint Task Force, Solid Resistance Operation, and the Inherent Resolving Process", Alongside US forces, including most of the G20 nations, are Baghdad's most influential allies.
Iraq’s importance diminished
These American steps lead to a significant decline in the diplomatic importance of Iraq, and economic cooperation may also stop, including the United States' protection of Iraqi assets from lawsuits, and the ability of Iraqis to conduct transactions in US dollars, while it is expected that this will be accompanied by strong new options in public policy, and that The penalties increase with less reason to reduce them. It is also expected in this case that the military options against Iran's proxies will increase, making Iraq more similar to the anti-terrorist shooting area freely in Syria, and individuals active in Iraqi politics classified by the United States on the terrorist list will be more vulnerable to kinetic targeting. "The US government apparently concluded - and rightly so - that continuity is not an option and therefore militancy for a period of time may be feasible, and if the results are unsatisfactory, then Washington appears ready to move toward some form of separation, and accordingly, what is required Today is finding the right mix of continuity and meaningful militancy. ”
Five demands
At the end of its report, the institute asked American officials to take 5 next steps to deal with the current situation in Iraq.
Withdrawal campaigns
Not paying attention to the campaign to submit a parliamentary proposal to expel US forces, as the government is unlikely to evacuate US forces, as demonstrated by the three failed efforts to do so in 2019.
Ensuring the security of soldiers
Continue to send strong indications that the serious attacks on American facilities and personnel
Punishing the bad ones
Increase the human resources available to the Treasury’s efforts to impose sanctions on a large group of Iraqi politicians and militia leaders under the powers of counterterrorism and the “Magnitsky International Law,” led by Faleh al-Fayyad, the National Security Adviser responsible for inciting a series of attacks against Iraqi protesters and American sites.
Re-establish security
Urging countries that have embassies in Baghdad to ask the Iraqi government to replace the militia officer Abu Muntazer al-Husseini, a member of the Iranian-backed Badr Organization, who is the advisor to the Prime Minister for Popular Mobilization Forces, also responsible for the security of the Green Zone, in addition to replacing the current director of Baghdad International Airport Ali Taqi, an intelligence official for the Badr Organization.
Re-legitimacy
Continue to work with the United Nations, the European Union, and individual countries to support the appointment of an "Independent High Electoral Commission" and to express American support for reform in efforts that are well promoted to promote good governance, provide government services, take measures to combat corruption, and achieve growth in the private sector.
Imposition of command and control
Collaboration with the main partners - in the "Joint Task Force - Operation Solid Resolve Process, the inherent solution" of Australia, Britain, Canada, France and Italy - to review security cooperation, and return the expelled leaders to their appropriate roles, including the leader of the "counter-terrorism agency" Abdel Wahab Al-Saadi, the leader of the "Anbar Operations", Mahmoud Al-Falahi, and the official in the "Baghdad Operations Command", Jalil Al-Rubaie. And remove bad leaders.
Kauaihn Iraq Articles:dd
Deputy: Parliament is ready to fulfill any request by the government regarding the security agreement with America
On Sunday, the deputy of the Alliance of Riyad Al-Masoudi affirmed that the parliament is ready and ready to respond to any request from the federal government regarding the security agreement between Iraq and America. Al-Masoudi said in an interview with Alsumaria News, "The House of Representatives is ready and determined to respond to any request that comes from the federal government regarding the security agreement between Iraq and America, whether the request is to amend or cancel that agreement," noting that "the recent American aggression and targeting leaders from Resistance is a continuation of America's hostile approach. "
Al-Masoudi added, "The Iraqi position should be commensurate with this dangerous stage, and no one believes that this attack will be the last, especially since the Middle East region is boiling over international and regional conflicts and problems. The three political powers, political, religious, cultural and social actors are united to defend the sovereignty of Iraq and reject any violation of that sovereignty. "
The Presidency of the Council of Representatives decided, to hold an emergency session today, Sunday, to discuss the American aggression against Iraqi sovereignty.
The deputy head of the crowd, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and the commander of the Iranian Quds Force, Major General Qasim Soleimani, were assassinated on Friday, January 3, 2020, by a US raid near Baghdad airport, west of the capital.
An official funeral for Al-Mohandes Al-Mohandes and Soleimani in the presence of Abdul-Mahdi. An extraordinary session of the Iraqi parliament today to discuss the American strike
Today, at noon, the Iraqi parliament will hold an extraordinary session set by its president, Muhammad al-Halbousi, after several calls as a result of the assassination of the deputy head of the "Popular Mobilization" committee, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and the commander of the Iranian Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, who had official ceremonies in Baghdad in the presence of official personalities.
A source in the Iraqi parliament said, "Today's session will be the most important session in the history of the Iraqi parliament, because it will witness decisions affecting Iraq’s sovereignty, security and dignity."
He added, «There is a determination by many members of the Iraqi parliament that the session be open and broadcast via various media outlets so that the Iraqi people are informed of who is standing with the country in its crisis, and who is truce or underdevelopment».
The resigned Iraqi Prime Minister, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, had invited Parliament, on Friday, for the purpose of convening in order to unify the Iraqi position after the American strike.
On the related front, a member of the Iraqi parliament, Hussein Al-Yasari, said, "The parliament has great opinions and invocations in today's session devoted to discussing the American violation of Iraqi sovereignty." He added, "Parliament will discuss all the implications of the security agreement with Washington."
Expectations indicate that most of the Kurdish representatives will be absent from today's session, while there are sources that confirm that there will be weakness in the attendance by the deputies of the "Iraqi Forces" coalition, whose members represent the "Sunni component".
The Iraqi National Security Council held a meeting yesterday, headed by Abdul-Mahdi, and a statement stated that the council discussed developments in the security situation and issues in the country after the bombing that led to the killing of a number of leading figures.
Meanwhile, a large funeral took place yesterday morning in the Al-Jadriya district of central Baghdad, which was attended by thousands of Vice President of the “Popular Mobilization” Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, the commander of the Iranian Quds Force, Qasim Soleimani, Director of the Public Relations Directorate in the “Popular Mobilization” and a number of the Authority’s employees, who were killed With an American air strike near Baghdad International Airport, at dawn on Friday.
The funeral ceremony witnessed very tight security measures, as many roads and bridges were cut to ensure the safety of the mourners. Political and parliamentary personalities participated in the funeral, led by resigned Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and leader of the "Al-Fath" coalition, Hadi al-Amiri and head of the "Popular Mobilization" committee, Faleh al-Fayyad. After that, the funeral procession set out towards the city of Karbala, then headed towards the Najaf governorate, where the Iraqi dead were buried in the Dar es Salaam cemetery, while the bodies of Soleimani and those with him were transferred to Iran via the Najaf International Airport.
An official funeral for Al-Mohandes Al-Mohandes and Soleimani in the presence of Abdul-Mahdi
An extraordinary session of the Iraqi parliament today to discuss the American strike
Today, at noon, the Iraqi parliament will hold an extraordinary session set by its president, Muhammad al-Halbousi, after several calls as a result of the assassination of the deputy head of the "Popular Mobilization" committee, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and the commander of the Iranian Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, who had official ceremonies in Baghdad in the presence of official personalities.
A source in the Iraqi parliament said, "Today's session will be the most important session in the history of the Iraqi parliament, because it will witness decisions affecting Iraq’s sovereignty, security and dignity."
He added, «There is a determination by many members of the Iraqi parliament that the session be open and broadcast via various media outlets so that the Iraqi people are informed of who is standing with the country in its crisis, and who is truce or underdevelopment».
The resigned Iraqi Prime Minister, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, had invited Parliament, on Friday, for the purpose of convening in order to unify the Iraqi position after the American strike.
On the related front, a member of the Iraqi parliament, Hussein Al-Yasari, said, "The parliament has great opinions and invocations in today's session devoted to discussing the American violation of Iraqi sovereignty."He added, "Parliament will discuss all the implications of the security agreement with Washington."
Expectations indicate that most of the Kurdish representatives will be absent from today's session, while there are sources that confirm that there will be weakness in the attendance by the deputies of the "Iraqi Forces" coalition, whose members represent the "Sunni component".
The Iraqi National Security Council held a meeting yesterday, headed by Abdul-Mahdi, and a statement stated that the council discussed developments in the security situation and issues in the country after the bombing that led to the killing of a number of leading figures.
Meanwhile, a large funeral took place yesterday morning in the Al-Jadriya district of central Baghdad, which was attended by thousands of Vice President of the “Popular Mobilization” Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, the commander of the Iranian Quds Force, Qasim Soleimani, Director of the Public Relations Directorate in the “Popular Mobilization” and a number of the Authority’s employees, who were killed With an American air strike near Baghdad International Airport, at dawn on Friday.
The funeral ceremony witnessed very tight security measures, as many roads and bridges were cut to ensure the safety of the mourners.Political and parliamentary personalities participated in the funeral, led by resigned Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and leader of the "Al-Fath" coalition, Hadi al-Amiri and head of the "Popular Mobilization" committee, Faleh al-Fayyad.After that, the funeral procession set out towards the city of Karbala, then headed towards the Najaf governorate, where the Iraqi dead were buried in the Dar es Salaam cemetery, while the bodies of Soleimani and those with him were transferred to Iran via the Najaf International Airport.
This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, early Friday, Jan 3, 2020. The Pentagon said Thursday that the US military has killed Gen Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, at the direction of President Donald Trump. Inset top: A picture of commander Qassem Soleimani. Below: A picture of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis killed with Soleimani. (AP)
JERUSALEM, Jan 4, (AP): The unprecedented killing of Iran’s top general in a US airstrike in Iraq has sent shockwaves across the Middle East, with Iran and its allies vowing revenge amid fears of an all-out war. But while they have vast arsenals and are within striking distance of US troops deployed in Syria, Iraq and the Gulf, Iran may be wary of launching a retaliatory attack that could ignite a major conflict.
The targeted attack on Friday could give them pause by signaling that the mercurial President Donald Trump is willing to wield US military power in dramatic and unforeseen ways. The slain general, Qassem Soleimani, was a towering figure who mobilized heavily-armed militias across the region against the United States and its allies, extending Iran’s influence to the Mediterranean. His death was a major blow to Iran and led nearly everyone from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on down to vow massive retaliation. “There will be for sure a reaction from Iran’s side and the axis of resistance, but the question is where, when and how,” said Ibrahim Bayram, an analyst with Lebanon’s daily An-Nahar. “I think the Iranians are precise and know how to direct the hit.”
Here is a look at possible scenarios going forward:
America out of IraqThe most immediate repercussions are likely to be felt in Iraq, where the airstrike – which also killed a top Iraqi militia commander — was seen as an assault on the country’s sovereignty. Iraq’s parliament will meet for an emergency session Sunday. On Saturday, the country’s powerful Iran-backed militias will hold a funeral in Baghdad that thousands are expected to attend. The targeted killing is likely to strengthen Iran-backed forces and political factions in the face of anti-government protesters who oppose Tehran’s influence.
Iran’s allies can now present themselves as upholding national sovereignty against foreign aggression. Iraq’s government, which has maintained an uneasy alliance with both Washington and Tehran, will come under mounting pressure to expel the 5,200 American troops who are in the country to help prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State group. Restricting or expelling American troops on Iraqi soil is a likely immediate impact option, according to Renad Mansour, a research fellow at the London-based international affairs think tank Chatham House. “I think it would be hard for any Iraqi government official making a claim to keep American troops after this,” Mansour said. If America goes, he added, other diplomatic missions might follow. That would place Iraq even more firmly in Iran’s camp, alongside Syria and Lebanon, and fulfill a goal Soleimani had pursued since the 2003 USled invasion. But it might not be enough.
Regional pressure pointsOver the last decade, Soleimani had mobilized tens of thousands of heavily armed fighters in Syria and Iraq, who have battled alongside President Bashar Assad in Syria’s civil war and fought the Islamic State group in both countries. The United States has relatively small deployments of troops in both countries who could be targeted in revenge attacks. The latest escalation began last week when a rocket attack blamed on an Iran-backed Iraqi militia killed a US contractor. The US responded with a wave of airstrikes that killed 25 militiamen in Iraq and Syria, and the militiamen then staged two days of violent protests at the US Embassy in Baghdad. No one was hurt in the protests, but demonstrators breached the embassy compound. Iran could also exact revenge through allies further afield, in Lebanon, Yemen or the Gaza Strip. The Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group dominates Lebanon and has an arsenal of tens of thousands of rockets that can hit every part of Israel. But it is unlikely to risk an all-out war that would devastate Lebanon, which is already in the grip of a severe economic crisis and its own anti-government protests.
Cyberattacks and other possible retaliation tactics Security experts said cyberattacks were likely to be part of Iran’s retaliation. And while cautioning that the US power grid is quite resilient, there are plenty of other opportunities for major disruption, they said. Other potential targets include the financial sector, manufacturing, oil and gas plants and transit systems. Iranian hackers carried out a series of disruptive attacks that knocked US banks’ websites offline prior to the Obama administration’s 2015 nuclear deal.
“Our concern is essentially that things are going to go back to the way they were before the agreement,” said John Hultquist, director of intelligence analysis at the cybersecurity firm FireEye. “There are opportunities for them to cause us real disruption.” Iran has also been doing a lot of probing of US industrial systems in recent years — trying to gain access — but has limited its destructive attacks to targets in the Middle East such as the Saudi oil company, experts say.
Striking the GulfRather than unleashing its proxies, Iran might respond on its own by targeting US allies in the Gulf and their oil infrastructure. The US blamed Iran for a sophisticated attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities in September that temporarily halved its oil production. The US also blamed Iran for the sabotage of oil tankers last year in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil passes. Iran denied those allegations, but acknowledged shooting down a US surveillance drone in June.
Iran could also retaliate by abandoning the 2015 nuclear deal, which has gradually come unraveled since Trump withdrew from the agreement in May 2018 and restored crippling sanctions. Iran has already openly breached some of its commitments in response to the sanctions and could announce a major new drive to enrich uranium
Sound and fury?There’s also the possibility, amid all the dire predictions, that Iran does nothing, at least for now. Israel, for one, does not appear terribly concerned. Authorities closed a ski resort near the borders with Lebanon and Syria, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a trip to Greece, but there have been no other security measures or any talk of calling up reserves. “I think the Iranians are shocked now,” said Yoel Guzansky, an expert on Iran at the Institute for National Strategic Studies, a Tel Aviv think tank. Iran and its allies have lost several other senior commanders over the years. While they always vow revenge, they usually add that it will happen at a time and place of their choosing — and the crisis passes. For example, Hezbollah vowed revenge after one of its top commanders, Imad Mughniyeh, was killed in a bombing in Damascus that the group blamed on Israel. That was in 2008, and while the group has traded fire with Israel since then, it has not carried out any major attacks. Then again, there’s no real precedent for the killing of a figure like Soleimani. Joost Hiltermann, the Middle East program director at the Crisis Group, an international think tank, says “we could see a war.” “They have put themselves in a corner. They will have to respond,” he said.
Did President Donald Trump have the legal authority to order the killing of a top Iranian general in Iraq? The answer depends largely on facts that aren’t publicly known yet. And experts are quick to point out that even if it was legally justified that doesn’t make it the right decision, or one that will be politically smart in the long run. Iran and its allies are vowing revenge. In its limited explanation so far, the Pentagon said Gen. Qassem Soleimani was “actively developing” plans to kill American diplomats and service members when he was killed in a U.S. drone strike Friday near the Baghdad airport shortly after arriving in the country. That would appear to place the action within the legal authority of the president, as commander in chief, to use force in defense of the nation under Article II of the Constitution, said Bobby Chesney, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law who specializes in national security issues.
Trump on Killing of Iran’s Soleimani: We Took Action to Stop War
The United States took action and killed Iran’s Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani to stop a war, not to start a war, said US President Donald Trump in an official statement from the White House.
Describing the Iranian commander as “number 1 terrorist anywhere in the world”, Trump said Solemani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel, but he was caught in action by the US forces.
The US president blamed Soleimani for the recent rocket attack on Kirkuk K1 military base where one US civilian contractor was killed and four other troops were wounded. He also said the assault on the US embassy in Baghdad was orchestrated by the Iranian commander.
“We take comfort of knowing that his reign of terror is over,” Trump pointed out.
“We do not seek regime change, however, the Iranian regime’s aggressions, including the use of proxy fighters to de-stabalize its neighbors must end and must end now,” he added
On Tuesday, US diplomats and soldiers took shelter in the United States embassy in Baghdad in light of a siege by Iraqi protesters who stormed it in protest against American attacks on Iranian-backed military brigades.But there are no US lawmakers or congressional staff in the country, although such visits are frequent during holidays.The Pentagon banned these visits in December, amid fears of regional instability. The writer of these lines obtained a non-confidential Pentagon memo issued on December 16th dedicated to "official use only", and the memo indicated that "all high-level visits from the US government, the US Congress, and allies to Syria and Iraq are prohibited" until January 15, 2020. And the memo signed by the Secretary Defense Mark Asper represents approval of a request by Central Command chief Gen Kenneth Mackenzie.Exceptions include the president, vice president, minister of defense, military weapons leaders, and joint commanders."The Central Command has raised concerns about the shrinking resources capable of hosting high-ranking personalities, the fragility of conditions in Iraq, and the need to continue to focus on supporting operations in Syria," a senior Defense Ministry official said on December 18.This is just a temporary pause for travel during a vacation period. ” More recently, a series of events has exposed tensions about the US presence in Iraq on the surface.An American contractor was killed and a number of American soldiers were wounded in an attack on a US base hosting American forces on December 27.On December 29, the United States retaliated by striking five sites in Iraq and Syria targeting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah Brigades.Then, on December 31, supporters of these brigades penetrated the walls of the embassy compound, set fire to a guard post, threw petrol bombs over the walls, and chanted the slogan "Death to America."The security forces prevented them from advancing with tear gas.US President Donald Trump was quick to accuse Iran of masterminding the attacks and demanded that Iraqi security forces protect the embassy, which it eventually did. The "Pentagon" temporarily suspended the visits of members of Congress and senior leaders to Iraq at many previous times.But this year's ban shows just how deteriorating the security situation in Iraq has been in the past weeks and months.Trump made a surprise visit to Iraq during this time last year, but this is not possible today because of the serious conditions there now.And the earliest time a delegation of Congress visited Iraq was last November, headed by Rep. Adam Smith, who heads the Armed Forces Committee in the Parliament.There are already other congressional envoys in the Middle East at the moment but none of them are in Iraq or Syria, in which the number of US soldiers has been reduced to about 600 soldiers residing in the oil fields in Deir Ezzor Governorate. The decision of the Congress to keep the legislators away from Iraq and Syria during the holidays is reasonable in terms of pure security.But the lack of enough workers in Iraq to provide safe hosting for legislators and employees raises questions about the Trump administration's plans to reduce the number of US embassy personnel there.Foreign Policy magazine recently stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to reduce the diplomatic team in Iraq by 28% by the end of May 2020 by canceling 114 jobs in the Baghdad embassy alone.As the security situation in Iraq worsens, the Trump administration should focus on diplomacy, and Congress should focus on oversight.But these two vital tasks have fallen victim to an escalation of violence. * An American writer specializing in foreign affairs
Palestinians, Iraqis, Lebanese, and Syrians cry Soleimani ... and Iranians celebrate
Iraqis mourn the body of Qasim Soleimani in Baghdad
From Baghdad, via Gaza and European cities, dozens of angry demonstrations protested the killing of the Quds Force commander, Qassem Soleimani, while the Iranians in Canada and London were celebrating his death.
Hundreds of people flocked to the streets of Baghdad to attend the funeral ceremony of Soleimani and Deputy Chairman of the Popular Mobilization Authority Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, attended by senior Iraqi officials headed by resigned Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, military leaders, parliamentarians and militia leaders loyal to Iran. Widespread controversy on communication sites after the use of an American car at the funeral of Soleimani and Mohandes On the link "Contradiction in the militia's speech." Soleimani's funeral was held in an American car
The mourners, most of them men in black military uniforms, carried Iraqi flags as well as the flags of militias backed by Iran, which were fiercely loyal to Soleimani.
The demonstrators chanted anti-American slogans that have been participating alongside Iraqi forces in the war against ISIS since 2015, and have forces in several Iraqi military bases helping to train and equip the security forces in this country.
In a sign of Soleimani's regional influence, Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip erected a mourning tent in Soleimani, and dozens of American and Israeli flags were burned during angry demonstrations roaming the city's streets.
It is noteworthy that Iran has often provided aid to the armed wing of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, but Soleimani was overseeing an Iranian project that runs from Beirut to Baghdad away from the Palestinian territories.
In Germany, demonstrators carried flags of Iraqi militia loyal to Iran and pictures of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and condemned the United States for killing Soleimani.
Iraqis, Syrians, and Lebanese participated in this demonstration, all of them asylum seekers or those who fled wars and bad conditions in their countries, which Iran had a prominent role in igniting and perpetuating it.
On the other hand, Iranians celebrated in the Canadian streets of Toronto, as soon as they heard the news of the killing of the Iranian Quds Force commander.
They were joined by supporters of the Soleimani killing in London, as British-born Iranians carried banners reading "Khamenei Fall" and others flag of Iran before the Islamic Revolution.
A man was arrested outside an Islamic center in London shortly before Soleimani’s condolence board, which was to be held later.
Soleimani was killed in an air strike early Friday near Baghdad airport in an American air strike that also killed the deputy leader of the popular crowd, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and others.
Soleimani is the mastermind of Iran's regional policy of mobilizing militias throughout Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. He has also been blamed for attacks on US forces and Washington allies dating back to 2003.
1-5-2020 Newshound Guru MilitiaMan I cannot for the life of me understand with all we know and can see directly from the CBI and the Actions of the USA anyone can be down and out now...Mind boggling good information that supports this is coming to an end!! imo.
1-4-2020 Newshound/Intel Guru Francis Albert ...If the CBI has all the actual notes (physical or digital for that matter) they can just destroy them if they want...as all Central Banks do regularly in one way or another. Like Cheeto's Central Banks, can always cruch, (create) more "money".KAP's [Guru Kaperoni] basic argument is based on his opinion that there's 45 Trillion Dinar out there that would come home to roost with an increase in value and thus, he argues, a substantial increase can't happen.IMO, he's just not looking at the whole picture. [Also reference Guru Kaperoni 1-4-2020] [post 2 of 2]
1-4-2020 Newshound/Intel Guru Francis AlbertI agree with KAP [Guru Kaperoni] who posted ...that there's no way the CBI can magically reduce the money supply from 45 Trillion to 5 Trillion. I am not paying close enough attention to know what the number Frank [Guru Frank26] is saying the 5T posted on CBI means. There is one possibility...in counter point to KAP's money supply argument I've seen.It is Possible, that Central Banks around the World hold/held most of the 45 Trillion Dinar...not only possible...but, probable. And, being Central Banks, as banks of issue, and ALL controlled by Dollar Inc. (except for Iran, S Korea, China, Russia), andIF...the Dollar Boys, (who started the whole thing in Iraq), want iraq to prosper...they can easily just destroy the Dinar they hold...all to achieve their goals. There's always a way. [reference Guru Kaperoni 1-4-2020] [post 1 of 2....stay tuned]
1-4-2020 Intel Guru BobTheTaxMan ...If you plan ahead you're going to be able to accomplish the things you want to accomplish. You're going to be able to retain that dinar. Now, I've spent lots of time visiting with some of the brightest minds in the tax world...The three things anytime you have a windfall gain you look for 3 things that can happen. 1. Can I reduce my taxation? 2. Can I defer my taxation? 3. Can I eliminate those taxations? All three of those options are available to us who own dinar.But you have to plan on it. And you have to put certain things in place before the RV occurs...there is no 'tax free' option - period.There isn't any...despite all the rumors out there about making this thing a capital gainsit will not be capital gains... [NOTE: Speak with your financial advisor and tax expert at the appropriate time.] [Post 2 of 2]
1-4-2020 Intel Guru BobTheTaxMan ...I've watched people who have managed to come into great amount of money and lose it so quickly...you're gonna walk into the bank you're gonna exchange your dinar and they're gonna give you X amount of dollars for X amount of dinar. You're gonna walk out and you're gonna be happy. Feeling on cloud 9. You're gonna spend that money. Then you're gonna say, 'wow, I need some more!' So you go cash in some more and you'll keep doing that without taking into consideration that you're building an obligatory spot with the IRS. Every time you do that you got yourself dug into a hole. And it's so easy when you have access to these kind of funds to be able to step up in the tax brackets and keep going and keep going and not realize how deep of a hole you just dug. [NOTE: Speak with your financial advisor and tax expert at the appropriate time.] [Post 1 of 2....stay tuned]
1-4-2020 Newshound Guru Breitling...I have zero doubts on the currency revaluing...This is the most important information you're gonna get...when you exchange your currency you're gonna get taxed. That's a taxable event. You are gonna have a big chunk taken out right there. Next, you're gonna go buy a house, that's a taxable event. You're gonna go out and buy a nice car. That's a taxable event...that's what I've been worried about. It's going to go away from you so quick unless you know what you're doing and have a plan and you have a plan to avoid that.You did what you needed to do. You bought the dinar. The second thing you need to do is keep it.There is nothing else you need to do. This is coming down the road. There's no other way I can say it. It's right in front of you. You're looking at it. Are you prepared? [NOTE: Speak with your financial advisor and tax expert at the appropriate time.]
1-4-2019 Newshound/Intel Guru Mnt Goat...The CBI will not be allowed to reinstate as long as Iran is still causing issues in Iraq. ...Yes, the CBI wants it and needs it but will it happen based on this news that CORRUPTION MUST FIRST END...I have been telling everyone for years now that without the elimination of Iranian influence in Iraq there would be no RV...I also said the US was plotting a way to get them out of Iraq.So now we witness the plan in action...So all you dinar investors just remember what I said before and how this is all playing out. I know it may seem gloomy at times but hang in there...
1-4-2020 Newshound Guru Kaperoni...the CBI currency...graph/chart is wrong. No way or how the money supply in Iraq could be reduced at this time let alone from 45 trillion to around 5 trillion...
1-4-2020Newshound Guru MilitiaMan...we found that the currency supply decreased by 975% real close and the CBI clearly shows charts to prove they did in fact did do it. By decreasing the money supply (note count) the common denominator is a value increase based of supply and demand. They will have a liquidity issue going forward if they don't raise the rate soon...The reduction in currency wasn't found until around the 23rd - 26th era December 2019, but it was in fact reported to have occurred on 12/08/2019 by the CBI and whereby, the movement of that money value from the reduction in currency showed up around on the commercial side of banking on 12/29/2019 real close. imo.So, we can see that timing is of extreme importance now. With normal accounting behaviors, this time is very sensitive. I have a very good feeling about the window we are in.
Elmer:
Not in today
Artmeister:
Not in today
Catnip:
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ARTICLE 1 (from PM Mahdi's website; posted only on Arabic side, not on English side)
Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi receives a phone call from Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman
The Prime Minister, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, received a phone call from the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Muhammad bin Salman, and the two parties discussed the difficult situations facing Iraq and the region, and views were exchanged on the expected repercussions and the importance of cooperation to mitigate its effects and avoid a comprehensive escalation.
Media office of the Prime Minister
January 4-2020
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ARTICLE 2 (from Government of Iraq twitter account)
Commander-in-Chief PM @AdilAbdAlMahdi declares 3-days of
national mourning starting today to honour the martyrs who were assassinated by
US forces in Iraq earlier this week.
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ARTICLE 3
Close to the chest announces the innocence of his current from Al-Aqili and Al-Asadi
1/4/2020 22:06 • 112 times read
[Baghdad-where]
Close to the leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, he declared the current acquittal of the candidates for Prime Minister Abdel-Ghani Al-Asadi and Rahim Al-Akili.
Saleh Muhammad al-Iraqi, a page close to al-Sadr, responded in a comment to the statement issued by Tahrir Square for the nomination of two persons for prime minister, where Saleh said: "We will not nominate anyone, and we did not vote for anyone.
The protestors of Tahrir Square said in a statement that "the blue hats took control of the platform of the Turkish restaurant" by force and announced their candidacy to the team "Abdul-Ghani Al-Asadi" and Judge "Rahim Al-Akili" for prime minister.
The statement added: "As we would like to show that we have not and will not nominate any person, and we are still with the specifications put forth by the sit-in squares only."
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ARTICLE 4
An international affirmation of the importance of preserving the sovereignty of Iraq
1/4/2020 17:20
[Follow-up]
On Saturday, France, Germany and China stressed the importance of preserving Iraq's sovereignty.
This came in statements by French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, where he confirmed that he discussed the situation in the Middle East with his German counterparts Haikou Maas and Chinese Wang Yi, during a telephone conversation, stating that "the three agreed on the need to avoid any escalation of tensions in the Middle East."
He also added that he agreed with his German and Chinese counterparts on the importance of preserving the sovereignty and stability of Iraq and ensuring that Iran does not violate the Vienna Agreement.
The Chinese Foreign Minister said earlier today that "the United States should stop abusing force and seek solutions through dialogue", after the US air strike that killed the commander of the Iranian Quds Force.
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ARTICLE 5
Kurdistan Region Presidency Comment on recent events: Reactions will take Iraq towards the abyss
1/4/2020 15:16
[Erbil-Wayne]
The Presidency of the Kurdistan Region issued a statement on the recent events, confirming its rejection of the steps to settle the accounts of countries on Iraq and violating its sovereignty, while calling on all parties to adhere to the utmost restraint.
The Presidency stated in a statement published a comment on the American bombing that caused the killing of the commander of the Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, and the deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Authority, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, near Baghdad airport yesterday morning, that "the recent events that took place in Kirkuk, Al-Qaim and in front of the American embassy in Baghdad, are indications It indicates the increasing complexity of the conditions in Iraq, which have led to repeated actions and reactions.
"From this standpoint, we reject the steps to settle the accounts of countries on the soil of Iraq and thus violate its sovereignty, which led to the result of Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Committee and their comrades, as they had a prominent role in the war against ISIS terrorists during the past years. "
He added that "Iraq should not be used as an arena to resolve the conflicts of states, as we call for the solution of their problems through dialogue and respect for Iraq and its sovereignty," stressing that "the continuation of these complications, actions and reactions will move Iraq and the region towards the abyss and an unknown future and will lead to the revival and strengthening of militant and terrorist forces from Before ISIS. "
He explained that "in these complex, sensitive and dangerous circumstances, we call on all parties to adhere to the utmost restraint and to prevent any dangerous developments."
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