Gen. Soleiman: A man of battlefield and diplomacy
By Sadeq Dehqan
Staff writer
Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds Force and the primary administrator of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps’ military operations abroad, is a prominent figure on the global stage. He led the operation to liberate Al-Bukamal city in Syria, the last stronghold of ISIS, which marked the decisive blow to the terror group, effectively ending its rule.
Today, it is rare to find people in the international community who are unfamiliar with the name of Gen. Soleimani. His valor and bravery in combating terrorist groups, particularly his pivotal role in uprooting ISIS and other extremist factions, have garnered widespread recognition and admiration.
Within Iran and the countries comprising the Resistance Front, the esteemed commander of the IRGC enjoys immense popularity. His standing among high-ranking officials and the Iranian people is so profound that the indelible image of tears shed by Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei while praying over Gen. Soleimani’s body, followed by million-strong funerals held for him across Iran, remains etched in memory.
Conversely, Gen. Soleimani has left an ineffaceable mark on terrorist groups and their supporters in the region, including the occupied territories of Palestine. His unparalleled fearlessness and indomitable spirit in battling extremist organizations continue to evoke trepidation among their supporters. Even after his assassination at the hands of the United States, depictions of Soleimani are met with intolerance by some of his opponents in political arenas and even sporting events.
Despite being one of Iran’s senior military commanders and overseeing major operations on the international stage, Gen. Soleimani’s face and name remained unknown to many within Iran for a considerable period. Consequently, he was often referred to as the “Shadow Commander” in Western media.
A leading figure in diplomacy
The issue that continues to raise questions for many pertains to the sudden transformation of Gen. Soleimani from an enigmatic figure, who deliberately maintained a sense of anonymity for an extended period, into a widely known personality.
Morteza Mahmoudvand, a member of the Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee (NSFPC), who himself has a military background, shed light on this matter in an interview with Iran Daily.
Mahmoudvand said that despite his extraordinary stature, Gen. Soleimani humbly identified himself as a “soldier” of the nation.
“There are numerous soldiers akin to Gen. Soleimani whose identities remain unknown to the masses. The exposure of Gen. Soleimani to the public and the international community can be attributed to the delicate regional political and security landscape, particularly the Arab Spring and the ensuing military conflicts in Syria and Iraq. These circumstances required the appearance of Gen. Soleimani’s image in the media,” the lawmaker said.
“It was during this period that terrorist groups and military forces from both the East and West infiltrated the region, waging a large-scale war. Given Gen. Soleimani’s versatile prowess, encompassing both military genius and diplomatic finesse, his involvement in diplomacy became imperative. Consequently, his presence in front of cameras became indispensable,” he added.
Regarding Soleimani’s popularity in Iraq and other countries, Mahmoudvand expounded on the crucial factor that set him apart in the eyes of free-thinking nations.
“Gen. Soleimani’s compassionate and benevolent manner toward various social strata played a key role. For instance, when ISIS subjected Yazidi women, children, and girls to physical and sexual violence in Iraqi Kurdistan, Gen. Soleimani, despite the absence of a historical connection between Islam and the Yazidi religion, empathetically responded by shedding tears and providing immediate assistance. This remarkable display of humanity epitomized his character.”
Mahmoudvand pointed to the efforts of Gen. Soleimani’s adversaries, both domestic and foreign, to tarnish his image even after his assassination. “The enemies, recognizing the significance of a national hero to a nation’s strength, seek to exploit his legacy for their own gain, thereby distorting Gen. Soleimani’s personality.”
He dismissed the notion that Gen. Soleimani’s military services solely benefited the Resistance Front and Iran. The legislator emphasized how the top general played a pivotal role in countering ISIS.
“Long before its ultimate defeat, Gen. Soleimani relentlessly combated the ISIS reign of terror, thwarting their terrorist acts in multiple European countries. In doing so, he rendered an invaluable service to the global community including European nations,” the lawmaker said.
When questioned about the Western powers’ inability to eradicate ISIS independently, Mahmoudvand responded by highlighting their inabilities.
“Despite the collective efforts of the United States, the entire Western world, and even assistance from the Eastern Bloc and Russia, they failed to move forward. It was a military branch of our armed forces that brought the terrorists to their knees,” he said.
Iran’s security is intact after Soleimani’s loss
Western powers were never lacking in military equipment but, ultimately, courage was the decisive factor on the battlefield. It is through courage that weapons are effectively employed.
The distinguishing characteristic of the Iranian armed forces lies in their gallantry, as exemplified during the Iraqi war against Iran in the 1980s.
“Iran has numerous soldiers similar to Gen. Soleimani and, thus, his absence has not caused any disruption to the authority and security within the Islamic Republic,” Mahmoudvand said.
A figure that fostered national unity
Moinoddin Saeedi, a representative of Sistan and Baluchestan Province in Iran’s Parliament, told Iran Daily that Gen. Soleimani was once appointed to serve in the southeastern region where he managed to enhance security through an approach characterized by “maximum attraction and minimum rejection”.
Saeedi said such an approach encouraged many militants causing insecurity in the volatile region to put down their guns and return “to the arms of the nation”.
The lawmaker emphasized that Gen. Soleimani’s impact extended beyond the military and security realms.
“His inclusive perspective, which refrained from dividing people into different factions, engendered a sense of harmony and empathy within society. This sentiment is evident in his speech, where he referred to even the girls avoiding the Muslim veil as being part of our own family. As a result, Gen. Soleimani emerged not only as a hero in the fight against terrorism but also as a national figure revered across all segments of society,” Saeedi pointed out.
“He presented himself as a devoted servant of the people, a sentiment that resonated deeply, drawing great love and admiration. The massive turnout at his funeral is a testament to this widespread sentiment.”
The lawmaker noted that even after his assassination, Gen. Soleimani’s influence remains potent.
“His martyrdom served to unify the resistance movement and garnered the sympathy of people from all walks of life.”
Gen. Soleimani’s attachment to society
Mahmoud Abbaszadeh, a lawmaker also sitting in the NSFPC, said Gen. Soleimani had remarkable personality traits.
“Not only was he a strong battlefield commander, but he also demonstrated abilities as a skilled diplomat. It is due to these exceptional characteristics that he was assigned to deal with complex international arenas. The Syrian war, one of the most intricate conflicts in history, involved numerous Western and international military forces. Yet, despite their advanced weaponry, none of them achieved significant results. It was the military genius of Gen. Soleimani that ultimately led to the decisive defeat of ISIS,” Abbaszadeh said.
According to the lawmaker, another aspect of Gen. Soleimani’s character was his attachment to the realities of society.
“He paid close attention to various segments of society… His realistic outlook on societal issues permeated his military approach, as he displayed pragmatism and calculated strategies in defense and combat operations. Indeed, his military genius was undoubtedly influenced by his pragmatic perspective.”
Abbaszadeh said Gen. Soleimani’s refusal to pursue political power demonstrated his commitment to being a true warrior.
“Despite his widespread popularity among the people, he declined a potential candidacy in the 2021 presidential elections. Gen. Soleimani said that as long as his performance in his current position was satisfactory to the Leader, he would not seek any other capacity. This aspect of his character reflected his dedication to his role and his focus on fulfilling his responsibilities,” he said.
The lawmaker said the slain general left a lasting impact overseas as he “established a school” that trained many individuals, both in the military and political spheres.
“Gen. Soleimani’s followers and successors carry the weight of his experience, further contributing to the ongoing legacy he left behind,” Abbaszadeh said.