“As an Iranian, I want to thank you with all my heart”
Iranians and Iraqis are celebrating after the Pentagon, under the direction of President Trump, carried out an airstrike in Baghdad that killed Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani.
The action came in response to an Iran-led attack on the US embassy in Iraq.
Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ elite Quds Force, a designated terror group since 2007, was despised by many in Iran, and by Iraqis who have been subject to a campaign of terror in their own country at the hands of forces operating in lockstep with the Iranian military.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had deemed Soleimani equally as dangerous as Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
BREAKING: Pentagon confirms air strike:
“At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel by killing Qasem Soleimani.”
“Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members.” pic.twitter.com/PIdGtlPH2R
— Alex Salvi (@alexsalvinews) January 3, 2020
Footage of one of the vehicles struck by strike killing Iran military leader Qasem Soleimani tonight in Baghdad. pic.twitter.com/jkwydjH2pq
— Israel Breaking (@IsraelBreaking) January 3, 2020
Both Iraqi state TV and #Hezbollah's AlMayadeen confirm that #Iran's Qassem Soleimani and #PMF's Abu Mahdi Mohandis were killed in a #US strike in #Baghdad.
#Iraq— Nafiseh Kohnavard (@nafisehkBBC) January 3, 2020
Iraqis were seen dancing in the streets at the news of Soleimani’s death:
Iraqis are celebrating the death of #QassemSoleimani.
Let's not forget. When Iraqi pro-democracy activists were demonstrating Tahrir Square, forces propped up by Soleimani were terrorizing them.
Now, can you blame these Iraqis for celebrating the death of Soleimani? https://t.co/AMUGxqnlo9
— Vahid ?????? (@vahid_y1) January 3, 2020
Iranians who have been forced to live under ruthless military rule, took to Twitter to thank Trump with the hashtag #TnxPOTUS4Soleimani:
Who is breathing a sigh of relief that Gen Soleimani is dead? Dissidents, feminists & secularists from Iran, Iraq, Syria & Lebanon.
He was a Shia Osama bin Laden with a national treasury & flag.
Who is crying foul? Obama alum Ben Rhodes, CodePink & Squad cocreator Cenk Uyger?????
— Asra Nomani (@AsraNomani) January 3, 2020
I still can't believe this mother fuckers are gone, but thanks anyway uncle trump#TnxPOTUS4Soleimani pic.twitter.com/XITWL29FVg
— ???? (@foadsf) January 3, 2020
Ghasem soleimani got smoked tonight, now world can take a breath. Thanks to anyone who did this great job#TnxPOTUS4Soleimani
— Leila (@LR6256) January 3, 2020
#TnxPOTUS4Soleimani #realDonaldTrump …
Behalf of the people of Iran who fighting against the #IslamicRegim ????????? pic.twitter.com/nYHb4SP4ob— ANUNNAKI(King of The UNIVERS)??? (@Anunnaki126) January 3, 2020
As an Iranian, I wanted to thank you with all my heart @realDonaldTrump, for putting an end to #Soleimani. You just made the world a better place to live in#TnxPOTUS4Soleimani#FreeIran2020
— ????? ??? (@DaChubbyPopeye) January 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/mehdikkyu/status/1212913189773627393
https://twitter.com/S_BostaniAsl/status/1212957838236147712
https://twitter.com/SammyXCVIII/status/1212975622965862401
https://twitter.com/siroos23664793/status/1212956549636919297
https://twitter.com/Barbodcamo/status/1212972725939126273
Dear Mr. President, @realDonaldTrump , in last month Islamic Regime in Iran killed defenseless Iranian youth& children and then suppressed Iranian Ppl. But today we get hope to continuing the struggle with this bloody regime. Thank you.
#TnxPOTUS4Soleimani pic.twitter.com/iWhAqBOI0k— Goli_dar_goldan?? (@dar_goldan) January 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/BScoRpion0/status/1212949164927131653
On behalf of all Iranians that have been taken hostage by mulla's regime and those who lost their loved ones and also exiled Iranians Thank you @realDonaldTrump #TnxPOTUS4Soleimani
— Daughter of ?Reza Shah? The Great? (@DaughterReza) January 3, 2020
The Iranian people beg to differ with you #TnxPOTUS4Soleimani
Death Toll Of Iran Protests Surpasses 1,000; Names of 221 Slain Protestershttps://t.co/KouHJquuQ3
— Jewhadi™ (@JewhadiTM) January 3, 2020
Mr Secretary, Middle East is smiling today.
Iranian patriots are the same & possibility even happier.
Please pass our unanimous gratitude message to Mr President.
2020 has been extraordinary thanks to you. We'll be able to celebrate once @khamenei_ir is gone.#TnxPOTUS4Soleimani https://t.co/lDKwijwLnD— ???? ??????? (@Solo_Commando) January 3, 2020
There are thousands more tweets.
Some decried the total lack of coverage from Western media until now:
https://twitter.com/Madam__Luna/status/1212953134953189376
Others singled out those criticizing the US action, saying that they do not need uninformed Westerners speaking on their behalf:
https://twitter.com/Madam__Luna/status/1212921055393677314
Reports also suggest that US marines captured high profile terrorist figures:
DEVELOPING: U.S. Marines have captured and arrested the following outside Baghdad:
Qais Khazali (Leader of Asaib Ahl al-Haq)
Hadi al-Amiri (Head of Badr Organization)
— Alex Salvi (@alexsalvinews) January 3, 2020
President Trump tweeted an American flag without further comment:
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020
