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Last Updated:
2024-09-22 08:20:01

Qasem Soleimani

Iranian military officer and Quds Force commander
Iranian military officer and Quds Force commander

Qasem Soleimani, a key figure in the IRGC, led operations in the Syrian Civil War and was considered a top strategist in the Middle East. He was assassinated by the US in 2020, leading to tensions between the two countries.

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1955
Birth of Qasem Soleimani

Qasem Soleimani was born in 1955 in Iran's southeastern province of Kerman. He rose to prominence as the commander of the Quds Force and played a significant role in Iran's military operations.

1957-03-11
Birth of Qassem Soleimani

Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian major general and commander of the Quds Force, was born in Qom, Iran. He grew up in a poor rural family and worked from a young age to help pay off the family's debt.

1970
Suleimani's Family Debt

In 1970, Qassem Suleimani's family owed a significant amount of money to the government, indicating their status as landless peasants who struggled despite initial benefits from land reforms. This financial burden likely impacted Suleimani's early life and choices.

1975
Suleimani's Contracting Work

In 1975, Qassem Suleimani began working as a contractor for the Kerman Water Organization, showcasing his transition from manual labor to more specialized roles. This period marked a shift towards his future career in strategic military operations.

1976
Start of Revolutionary Activities

Qasem Soleimani began his revolutionary activities in 1976 through the influence of Martyr Kamyab. This marked the beginning of his involvement in revolutionary movements.

1979-05-29
Establishment of IRGC Command Council in Kerman

After the victory of the revolution, Qasem Soleimani joined the association of 'honorary Guardsmen' in Kerman, which was established by the father of Martyr Qazi. This marked his initial involvement with the IRGC.

1980-09-22
Soleimani's Role in Iran-Iraq War

In September 1980, Soleimani joined the battlefield during the Iran-Iraq War, quickly rising through the ranks due to his bravery and successful operations. He eventually became the commander of the 41st Tharallah Division and played a significant role in retaking lands occupied by Iraq.

1981-11-11
Operation Tarigh al-Ghods

Suleimani participated in the joint Islamic Republic of Iran Army and IRGC operation to liberate Bostan during the war with Iraq.

1982-03-03
Operation Fath al-Mobin

Suleimani took part in the operation to liberate Western parts of Dezfoul and Dehloran, and protect Andimeshk, Shoush, Dezfoul, and the Andimeshk/Ahwaz road during the war with Iraq.

1982-07-05
Kidnapping of Ahmad Motevasselian

Ahmad Motevasselian, who was kidnapped in Lebanon on July 5, 1982, was chosen as the head of an IRGC expeditionary force to Lebanon due to his past role in suppressing the Kurdish rebellion. This incident sheds light on the IRGC's tactics and strategies.

1984-02-22
Operation Kheibar

Suleimani was involved in the operation threatening Basra during the war with Iraq.

1985-07-17
Soleimani's Opposition to IRGC Leadership

On July 17, 1985, Soleimani opposed the IRGC leadership's plan to deploy forces to two islands in western Arvand Rud, on the Shatt al-Arab River.

1986-06-30
Operation Karbala I

Suleimani participated in the operation to liberate Mehran during the war with Iraq.

1987-01-09
Operation Karbala V

Suleimani led the operation invading Shalamcheh and advancing toward Basra during the war with Iraq.

1987-06-21
Nasr IV Operation

Suleimani's unit faced Iraqi forces using mortars with chemical agents during the advance toward Sulaymaniah.

1987-06-26
Forty-First Tharallah Division's Breaking of Iraqi Encirclement

Suleimani's division broke Iraqi encirclement attempts following the defeat of the Nasr IV operation.

1988-03-25
Operation Beit al-Moghadas IV

Suleimani was involved in the operation aiming to conquer the Shakh-e Shemiran heights during the war with Iraq.

1994
Buenos Aires Bombing

In 1994, a bombing took place in Buenos Aires, which was linked to Iran and Qasem Soleimani. The event raised questions about the actions of the U.S. in response to such incidents.

1995
Kfar Darom bus attack

The Quds Force, under the leadership of Brigadier-General Ahmad Vahidi, cultivated relations with Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad through the 1995 Kfar Darom bus attack.

1997-09-10
Qassem Suleimani appointed chief of the Quds Force

Brigadier General Qassem Suleimani was appointed as the chief of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) between September 10, 1997, and March 21, 1998. He was selected due to his extensive battlefield experience and cultural background, making him a strategic choice during the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan.

1998
Qasem Soleimani becomes leader of Quds Force

Qasem Soleimani took over as the leader of the Quds Force in 1998 and became known for masterminding Iranian military operations in Iraq and Syria.

1999
Soleimani signs letter regarding student protests

In 1999, Soleimani signed a letter to then-President Mohammad Khatami regarding student protests, expressing concerns about the situation and urging decisive action.

2001
Collaboration with U.S. after September 11 Attacks

Following the September 11 attacks in 2001, Soleimani, under his leadership, collaborated with U.S. officials to destroy the Taliban in Afghanistan. This collaboration was instrumental in capturing key Al-Qaeda operatives.

2003-05-12
Riyadh Compound Bombings

Qasem Soleimani allegedly authorized the Riyadh compound bombings in May 2003, targeting Saudi and American interests, with involvement of an al-Qaeda cell operating from Iran with the approval of the Quds Force.

2005
Qasem Soleimani designated as a terrorist by the United States

In 2005, Qasem Soleimani was designated as a terrorist by the United States due to his involvement in orchestrating or attempting attacks against American and other targets abroad.

2006
Role in 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War

Soleimani was in Lebanon during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War, managing the conflict and supporting Hezbollah by sending operatives to retake southern Lebanon.

2007-01-11
Raid on Iranian Liaison Office in Erbil

On January 11, 2007, the United States raided the Iranian Liaison Office in Erbil, Iraq, based on false intelligence that IRGC Commander-in-Chief Mohammad Ali Jafari and Soleimani were present.

2007-01-20
Karbala Provincial Joint Coordination Headquarters attack

On January 20, 2007, Qais al-Khazali's Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq militia, with the help of Quds Force Brigadier General Abdolreza Shahlaei and Hezbollah operative Ali Musa Daqduq, infiltrated the U.S. Army's Karbala Provincial Joint Coordination Headquarters and killed five American soldiers.

2008
Qassem Suleimani's role in Iranian policy towards Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza, and Afghanistan

Brigadier General Qassem Suleimani played a crucial role in directing Iran's policy towards Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza, and Afghanistan. He was considered the point man in formulating and implementing Iran's Iraq policy, with significant authority under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Suleimani's leadership of the Quds Force involved organizing, training, and supporting various groups, leading to international sanctions.

2009-01
Presence in Palestinian Joint Operations Room

During January 2009, Soleimani was present at the Palestinian Joint Operations Room in Damascus, overseeing operations against the Israeli Army during the 2008-2009 Gaza War, as disclosed by Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.

2011-01-24
Promotion of Soleimani to Major General

Soleimani was promoted to Major General by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who had a close relationship with him and supported him financially.

2011-05-18
U.S. Sanctions on Qasem Soleimani

On May 18, 2011, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Qasem Soleimani for providing support and arms to the Syrian regime. He was accused of being a terrorist and supporter of terrorism by the U.S.

2011-06-24
EU Sanctions on Iranian Revolutionary Guard Members

On June 24, 2011, the European Union sanctioned three Iranian Revolutionary Guard members, including Soleimani, Mohammad Ali Jafari, and Hossein Taeb, for providing support to the Syrian government in suppressing protests.

2012
Qaani listed as 'specially designated national' by U.S. Treasury Department

In 2012, the U.S. Treasury Department designated Qaani as a 'specially designated national' for his alleged involvement in overseeing financial disbursements and weapons shipments to Hezbollah and Quds Force elements in the Middle East and Africa.

2013-01-03
Ismail Qaani becomes Quds Force commander

After the promotion of Ismail Qaani to Quds Force commander on January 3, 2013, Ayatollah Khamenei praised him as 'one of the most distinguished Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps commanders.'

2014-11
Pushing ISIL out of Jalawla and Saadia in Diyala Governorate, Iraq

In November 2014, Shia and Kurdish forces under Soleimani's command successfully pushed ISIL out of the Iraqi villages of Jalawla and Saadia in the Diyala Governorate.

2015-03
Operation to retake Tikrit from ISIL

Soleimani played a crucial role in organizing and planning the operation to retake the city of Tikrit in Iraq from ISIL. The city's strategic location between Baghdad and Mosul made it highly important.

2015-11
Rumors of Soleimani's death in Syria's Aleppo

In November 2015, there were rumors that Qasem Soleimani had been killed or seriously wounded while leading forces loyal to al-Assad in Syria's Aleppo. These rumors were later debunked.

2016-02
Break of the three-year siege of Nubl and Al-Zahraa in Aleppo Governorate

In early February 2016, the 4th Mechanized Division, along with Hezbollah, NDF, Kata'eb Hezbollah, and Harakat Al-Nujaba, launched an offensive in Aleppo Governorate's northern countryside, breaking the three-year siege of Nubl and Al-Zahraa.

2018-11-13
U.S. Sanctions on Iraqi Military Leader

On November 13, 2018, the U.S. sanctioned Shibl Muhsin 'Ubayd Al-Zaydi and others for allegedly financing military actions in Syria on behalf of Soleimani and supporting terrorism in the region.

2019-12-27
Attack on Coalition Bases in Iraq

An attack on coalition bases in Iraq on December 27 resulted in the deaths of an American contractor and Iraqi personnel. The Defense Department attributed this assault to Qasem Soleimani's orchestration.

2020-01-03
Assassination of Qasem Soleimani

Qasem Soleimani was killed in Baghdad, Iraq on January 3, 2020, at the age of 62.

2020-01-04
Funeral procession for Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad

A funeral procession for Qassem Soleimani was held in Baghdad with thousands of mourners chanting 'death to America, death to Israel'. The procession started at the Al-Kadhimiya Mosque and later his remains were taken to Karbala and Najaf.

2020-01-06
Funeral procession for Qassem Soleimani in Tehran

The body of Qassem Soleimani arrived in Tehran, where hundreds of thousands or millions of people gathered in the streets for his funeral. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei led the Islamic prayer for the dead, mourning openly near the coffin.

2020-01-07
Stampede at burial procession for Qassem Soleimani

A stampede occurred at the burial procession for Qassem Soleimani in Kerman, attended by hundreds of thousands of mourners, resulting in 56 deaths and 212 injuries.

2020-01-08
Iranian Missile Attack on U.S. Bases in Iraq

In response to Soleimani's death, Iranian military launched ballistic missiles at two U.S. bases in Iraq, resulting in no reported casualties but 100 traumatic brain injuries. The strike was suggested to be deliberately designed to avoid causing casualties to prevent an American response.

2020-01-13
Authorization of the killing of Soleimani

President Trump authorized the killing of Soleimani in June 2019 on the condition that he had been involved in the killing of many Americans, a decision backed by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

2020-02-14
Legal justification under U.S. law

The Trump administration claimed authorization under both the Constitution and the 2002 Authorization of Use of Military Force Against Iraq for the strike on Soleimani.

2020-07-20
Execution of Mahmoud Mousavi Majd

Iranian state television reported the execution of Mahmoud Mousavi Majd for providing information to the US and Israel about Soleimani and the Quds Force.

2021-01-03
First Anniversary of Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis

The first anniversary of Soleimani and al-Muhandis was marked in Baghdad with Iran-backed militias marching and chanting anti-American slogans.

2023-10-02
AFC Match Cancelled Due to Bust of Soleimani

The AFC called off a match between Iranian side Sepahan and Saudi side Al-Ittihad in Isfahan after Al-Ittihad refused to play when their requests to remove a bust of Soleimani were denied.

2024-01-03
Explosion in Kerman on 4th Anniversary of Soleimani's Death

An explosion near a cemetery in Kerman occurred on the 4th anniversary of Soleimani's death, killing 89 people and wounding 284. The attack was claimed by ISIL.

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Qasem Soleimani
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