This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-50979463

The article has changed 24 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Baghdad airport rocket attack hits Iraqi paramilitaries Qasem Soleimani: Iran Quds force leader reportedly killed
(32 minutes later)
A number of rockets have struck near Baghdad airport in Iraq. General Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' elite Quds Force, has been killed in Iraq, reports say.
Iraqi security sources said at least eight people had died in the strike, with two cars also destroyed in the attack. Iraqi State television said Soleimani was among a number of people killed in a strike near Baghdad's airport.
The Popular Mobilisation Forces, an Iranian-backed Iraqi militia, announced that one of its top officials had been killed. US officials told Reuters news agency they had carried out strikes against targets linked to Iran but gave no further details.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, and details are still emerging. As yet there has been no official confirmation of a death or a US attack.
The Popular Mobilisation Forces, an Iranian-backed Iraqi militia, told Reuters that Gen Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis had been killed.
Earlier reports suggested a number of people died after a rocket strike at Baghdad's international airport.
The strike comes days after protesters surrounded the US embassy in Baghdad, clashing with US forces at the scene.The strike comes days after protesters surrounded the US embassy in Baghdad, clashing with US forces at the scene.
US defence secretary Mark Esper said late on Thursday that the US would not accept attacks against its personnel in the region, blaming Iran for the violence at the embassy.US defence secretary Mark Esper said late on Thursday that the US would not accept attacks against its personnel in the region, blaming Iran for the violence at the embassy.
"Attacks against us will be met with responses in the time, manner, and place of our choosing," a statement read. "We urge the Iranian regime to end their malign activities.""Attacks against us will be met with responses in the time, manner, and place of our choosing," a statement read. "We urge the Iranian regime to end their malign activities."