Gen. Qassem Soleimani: A resistance leader, a strategist, and a family man  

By Hiba Morad

On the third anniversary of the assassination of Iran’s top anti-terror commander, General Qassem Soleimani, the Press TV Website spoke to a cross-section of people on his illustrious life and legacy.

General Soleimani, an international hero and a key figure in the Axis of Resistance, was assassinated on 3 January 2020 in Baghdad in a drone strike authorized by then-US President Donald Trump.

Hussein Haj Hassan, MP (Lebanon)

General Qassem Soleimani contributed to the victories of the axis of resistance, from Palestine to Lebanon to Syria to Iraq and Yemen. He played a leading role in confronting the Israeli and American enemies, and in the emergence and support of resistance movements in the region.

He was a great leader and strategist concerned with tactical issues, but also a family man. While he led on the battlefield, he also shed tears over the suffering of the poor and needy.

Ali al-Madhoush, Analyst and researcher (Iraq)

General Qassem Soleimani's personality was outstanding not only in terms of decimating Daesh in Syria and Iraq but also in sending out positive vibes and courage to everyone.  He was sincere, humble, and with unshakable beliefs and a symbol of international resistance who redefined the rules of leadership.

 When Daesh took over Iraq and a fight broke out, Iraq’s Ministry of Defense was without the necessary arsenal. Iraq's Minister of Defense and Prime Minister admitted to it. America and the Arabs turned away from us, but the Islamic Republic stood with us as a staunch ally under Hajj Qassem Soleimani.

Tahsin Halabi, Researcher (Syria, Palestine)

General Qassem Soleimani was an Iraqi in Iraq, a Palestinian in Palestine, a Syrian in Syria, and a Lebanese resistance fighter in Lebanon. He was also an Iranian patriot concerned and committed to the Islamic Republic and its glory.

He was a leader always concerned and committed to the Palestinian cause.  General Soleimani was a man of the people, who believed in supporting the oppressed anywhere in the world. He was a regional and international leader recognized even by the Israeli regime. 

Mohammad Jaradat, Researcher (Palestine)

Martyr Hajj Qassem played an important role in Palestine through his direct support to Palestinians. He went to Gaza through underground tunnels and performed a miracle there by building factories that manufactured rockets and missiles that protected Gaza and posed a strategic threat to the Israeli regime, including Tel Aviv, Ashkelon and Netanya areas as well as the illegal Israeli settlements. 

He helped draw a new resistance equation through Operation al-Quds Sword, and the Operation Unity of the Arenas, a fact acknowledged by leaders of the Palestinian resistance, including Dr. Ramadan Abdullah, Haj Ziyad Nakhala, Yahya Al-Sinwar, and Ismail Haniyeh.

The strong and effective role played by Hajj Qassem prompted Netanyahu, Trump and other leaders of global arrogance to assassinate him.

When we look at the charismatic personality of Hajj Qassem, his interaction with simple and loyal fighters who stood in the face of Takfiri terrorism in the region, especially in Syria and Iraq, or his help to the people of Ahwaz when they were hit by severe floods among other events, we see his humane side, his smile that captivated the hearts of all those surrounding him.

 He was a model that broke barriers, and here in the Gaza Strip where Sunni people thought negatively of Iran and the axis of resistance due to stereotypes, he changed everything.

Baqer Darwish, President, Bahrain Forum for Human Rights (Bahrain)

 The heinous murder of General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis by the United States proves that its military bases in Iraq were involved in flagrant violations of the UN Charter, showing utter disdain for the rule of law and adoption of the "law of the jungle."

This crime confirms the conclusions of a report by the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings submitted to the UN Human Rights Council that the US has failed to justify and explain its violations of Iraq's sovereignty, which must end.

Americans killed General Suleimani, who had a key role in confronting extremist and terrorist groups in the region. Those involved, led by former US President Donald Trump, must be brought to the International Criminal Court.

Mohamed Atwi, Retired Brigadier General and Analyst (Lebanon)

Martyr Qassem Soleimani was active in many conflicts, especially in Iraq and the Levant, in the war imposed on Iran, confrontations with Kurdish terrorist groups in eastern Iran and in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan and occupied Palestine.   

He played an important role in the fight against Daesh, an internationally recognized terrorist organization and took part in decisive battles in northern Iraq, including in Salah al-Din Governorate, the battle to liberate the city of Amerli, the city of Tikrit, the battle of Fallujah in Anbar, the liberation of Diyala province in northern Iraq and the Jurf al-Nasr district, a strategic area near Baghdad.

He also had a key role in coordinating operations in Syria at the request of the Syrian government to help it recover areas that had been seized by Daesh.

Martyr Soleimani's methods were a combination of military assistance to his allies, tough strategic diplomacy, and active participation in the battles. He was very popular among Iranians, Iraqis, Lebanese and Palestinians as a selfless hero, fighting the enemies of Iran and Islam.

He was a man who showed humility and care towards all, something that was acknowledged even by his enemies. He was described in Western media as the most powerful general in the Middle East, and the main military strategist against Western hegemonic powers.

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