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Airstrikes targeting Iraqi militia reported north of Baghdad – live Airstrikes targeting Iraqi militia reported north of Baghdad – live
(about 1 hour later)
Two of three vehicles in Iraqi militia convoy were reportedly found burned, a day after killing of Iran general Qassem SuleimaniTwo of three vehicles in Iraqi militia convoy were reportedly found burned, a day after killing of Iran general Qassem Suleimani
Along with California Representative Ro Khanna, Vermont Senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders today announced legislation that would prohibit any funding for offensive military force in or against Iran without prior congressional approval.
“I am introducing a bill with Rep. Khanna to stop Donald Trump from illegally taking us to war against Iran,” Sanders wrote on Twitter.
“It’s working-class kids who will have to fight and die in a disastrous new Middle East conflict — not the children of billionaires.”
In the wake of the strike that killed Iran’s top general, and a more recent offensive that claimed the lives of five yet-to-be-identified members of an Iran-backed militia, law enforcement officials in several major US cities are advising residents to remain watchful for retaliation.
Guardian reporter Edward Helmore observes that officials in New York and Los Angeles have yet to encounter credible threats, but are remaining vigilant against potential threats.
“You see something, say something,” the New York City mayor, Bill de Blasio, said on Twitter.
Helmore noted:
The Associated Press has reported new details on the latest airstrike in Iraq which it attributes to an Iraqi official who says the strike hit two cars and killed five members of the Iran-backed militia they were carrying. The unnamed official said the identities of those killed are unknown.The Associated Press has reported new details on the latest airstrike in Iraq which it attributes to an Iraqi official who says the strike hit two cars and killed five members of the Iran-backed militia they were carrying. The unnamed official said the identities of those killed are unknown.
The salvo comes a day after a US drone strike that killed top Iranian general Gen. Qassem Soleimani — an act of aggression which Iran has promises to avenge. The salvo comes a day after a US drone strike that killed top Iranian general Gen Qassem Soleimani – an act of aggression which Iran has promised to avenge.
Early reports have emerged on a fresh airstrike that took place in Baghdad and the details in the past hour appeared increasingly credible.Early reports have emerged on a fresh airstrike that took place in Baghdad and the details in the past hour appeared increasingly credible.
Reuters reports: “Airstrikes targeting Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces umbrella grouping of Iran-backed Shi’ite militias near camp Taji north of Baghdad have killed six people and critically wounded three, an Iraqi army source said late on Friday.Reuters reports: “Airstrikes targeting Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces umbrella grouping of Iran-backed Shi’ite militias near camp Taji north of Baghdad have killed six people and critically wounded three, an Iraqi army source said late on Friday.
Two of the three vehicles making up a militia convoy were found burned, the source said, as well as six burned corpses. The strikes took place at 1.12am local time, he said.”Two of the three vehicles making up a militia convoy were found burned, the source said, as well as six burned corpses. The strikes took place at 1.12am local time, he said.”
Here’s more from the Trump event. Richard Luscombe, reporting from Miami:Here’s more from the Trump event. Richard Luscombe, reporting from Miami:
Some of Trump’s biggest cheers came when he moved on to topics such as abortion and the “hard left’s” perceived war on religious freedom, and freedom of speech.Some of Trump’s biggest cheers came when he moved on to topics such as abortion and the “hard left’s” perceived war on religious freedom, and freedom of speech.
“We believe in the right to life,” he said, prompting lengthy cheers, and seemingly overlooking his own conversion from his 1999 position of being pro-choice.“We believe in the right to life,” he said, prompting lengthy cheers, and seemingly overlooking his own conversion from his 1999 position of being pro-choice.
“There is no issue that Democrats have become more extreme [on] than the issue of life, he said, claiming to have asked Congress to prohibit late-term abortion and that he had issued an executive order stopping taxpayer money going to fetal tissue research.“There is no issue that Democrats have become more extreme [on] than the issue of life, he said, claiming to have asked Congress to prohibit late-term abortion and that he had issued an executive order stopping taxpayer money going to fetal tissue research.
“We will not allow faithful Americans to be bullied by the hard left,” Trump said. “Very soon I’ll be taking action in our schools to protects students’ first amendment rights to pray.”“We will not allow faithful Americans to be bullied by the hard left,” Trump said. “Very soon I’ll be taking action in our schools to protects students’ first amendment rights to pray.”
Using words carefully chosen to fire up his churchgoing audience, Trump accused Democrats of waging a “crusade” against religious freedom.Using words carefully chosen to fire up his churchgoing audience, Trump accused Democrats of waging a “crusade” against religious freedom.
“The extreme left in America is... trying to replace God with socialism,” he said. “In America, we don’t worship government, we worship God. Since 2016 the left hasn’t given up on their religious crusade against religion. Democrats have worked to remove the words “So help me God” from the oath. Not going to happen. Not as long I’m here.”“The extreme left in America is... trying to replace God with socialism,” he said. “In America, we don’t worship government, we worship God. Since 2016 the left hasn’t given up on their religious crusade against religion. Democrats have worked to remove the words “So help me God” from the oath. Not going to happen. Not as long I’m here.”
Trump has now been speaking for one hour.Trump has now been speaking for one hour.
Guardian world affairs editor Julian Borger:Guardian world affairs editor Julian Borger:
State department officials have been trying to bolster claims from the president and the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, that the killing of Suleimani stopped imminent attacks and was therefore an act of self-defence.State department officials have been trying to bolster claims from the president and the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, that the killing of Suleimani stopped imminent attacks and was therefore an act of self-defence.
“He was traveling around the region. He’s not there on vacation. He is there for the specific purpose to plan multiple attacks against Americans and facilities, and that’s why he’s hanging out with Muhandis [the PMF militia deputy commander],” said a senior state department official. “Why is he in the car with Muhandis?”“He was traveling around the region. He’s not there on vacation. He is there for the specific purpose to plan multiple attacks against Americans and facilities, and that’s why he’s hanging out with Muhandis [the PMF militia deputy commander],” said a senior state department official. “Why is he in the car with Muhandis?”
He added: “The threat picture that the intelligence presented made very clear that in the absence of decisive action, hundreds of Americans would be killed” in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.He added: “The threat picture that the intelligence presented made very clear that in the absence of decisive action, hundreds of Americans would be killed” in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.
“These were attacks targeting American diplomats, American military personnel, and American – facilities that house Americans. Whether it’s – whether we’re being hosted by the government or whether it’s our own facility,” he said.“These were attacks targeting American diplomats, American military personnel, and American – facilities that house Americans. Whether it’s – whether we’re being hosted by the government or whether it’s our own facility,” he said.
The official said that Suleimani would be hard for Iran to replace and so killing him had helped to stop attacks. “I’m just saying that Suleimani, I think, was in many ways the indispensable man, and with Suleimani dead, it will be very difficult for these proxies to be organized on the scale, lethality, and effectiveness that they had under Suleimani,” the official said.The official said that Suleimani would be hard for Iran to replace and so killing him had helped to stop attacks. “I’m just saying that Suleimani, I think, was in many ways the indispensable man, and with Suleimani dead, it will be very difficult for these proxies to be organized on the scale, lethality, and effectiveness that they had under Suleimani,” the official said.
Another official said: “There were things he could do that nobody else could do. He was not a decentralized manager; he was a hands-on, down-to-the-details manager. And we are not safe in the region as long as Iran is pursuing this general strategy, but we are safer without him than we are with him.”Another official said: “There were things he could do that nobody else could do. He was not a decentralized manager; he was a hands-on, down-to-the-details manager. And we are not safe in the region as long as Iran is pursuing this general strategy, but we are safer without him than we are with him.”
A third official added Suleiman’s death would reduce the pace of attacks on Americans. “It slows it down. It makes it less likely,” the official said, adding: “Jesus, do we have to explain why we do these things?”A third official added Suleiman’s death would reduce the pace of attacks on Americans. “It slows it down. It makes it less likely,” the official said, adding: “Jesus, do we have to explain why we do these things?”
Leading up to the rally in Florida, where Trump is making case that Democratic leaders pose a threat to the religious freedoms he has protected, his administration announced that it would appeal a district court ruling that blocked a so called “conscience rule” that would have made it easier for healthcare workers to avoid assisting with abortion or other medical procedures on religious or moral grounds.Leading up to the rally in Florida, where Trump is making case that Democratic leaders pose a threat to the religious freedoms he has protected, his administration announced that it would appeal a district court ruling that blocked a so called “conscience rule” that would have made it easier for healthcare workers to avoid assisting with abortion or other medical procedures on religious or moral grounds.
Last month the New York Times reported that the rule “is part of a broader agenda by the Trump administration, which says it wants to expand protections for the civil rights of healthcare workers, even as critics say it has weakened civil rights protections for certain patients. President Trump announced the rule last May at a Rose Garden event for the National Day of Prayer.”Last month the New York Times reported that the rule “is part of a broader agenda by the Trump administration, which says it wants to expand protections for the civil rights of healthcare workers, even as critics say it has weakened civil rights protections for certain patients. President Trump announced the rule last May at a Rose Garden event for the National Day of Prayer.”
Richard Luscombe, reporting from Miami, has more from the Trump rally:Richard Luscombe, reporting from Miami, has more from the Trump rally:
Trump wasted no time in gloating about the “flawless strike” that eliminated the Iranian general Qassem Suleimani after taking to the stage in Miami 10 minutes earlier than scheduled, and praying with faith leaders, including the pastor of the King Jesus international ministry, Guillermo Maldonado.Trump wasted no time in gloating about the “flawless strike” that eliminated the Iranian general Qassem Suleimani after taking to the stage in Miami 10 minutes earlier than scheduled, and praying with faith leaders, including the pastor of the King Jesus international ministry, Guillermo Maldonado.
“It was flawless strike that eliminated the terrorist ringleader,” Trump said, claiming that his death will save the lives of “hundreds and hundreds of Americans”.“It was flawless strike that eliminated the terrorist ringleader,” Trump said, claiming that his death will save the lives of “hundreds and hundreds of Americans”.
Qassem Suleimani has been killed and his bloody rampage is now forever gone. He was plotting attacks against America but now be assured his atrocities have been stopped for good. He was planning a very major attack and we got him.”Qassem Suleimani has been killed and his bloody rampage is now forever gone. He was plotting attacks against America but now be assured his atrocities have been stopped for good. He was planning a very major attack and we got him.”
We are a peace loving nation,” Trump went on. “My administration remains committed to establishing peace and harmony. We do not seek war we do not seek nation building.”We are a peace loving nation,” Trump went on. “My administration remains committed to establishing peace and harmony. We do not seek war we do not seek nation building.”
“Let this be a warning to terrorists, if you value your life you will not threaten the lives of our citizens.”“Let this be a warning to terrorists, if you value your life you will not threaten the lives of our citizens.”
Donald Trump has taken the stage at the “Evangelicals for Trump” event taking place now at a Florida megachurch and wasted no time in speaking to the drone strike that killed Qassem Suleimani, Iran’s top general, doubling down on the claim that the military action interrupted an attack Suleimani had planned.Donald Trump has taken the stage at the “Evangelicals for Trump” event taking place now at a Florida megachurch and wasted no time in speaking to the drone strike that killed Qassem Suleimani, Iran’s top general, doubling down on the claim that the military action interrupted an attack Suleimani had planned.
He was preparing for an attack, Trump said of Iran’s general, “and we got him”. (Trump’s critics have pointed the unverified nature of that claim).He was preparing for an attack, Trump said of Iran’s general, “and we got him”. (Trump’s critics have pointed the unverified nature of that claim).
The US president quickly moved on to his commitment to protecting Evangelical values, a point aimed at the dozens of evangelical leaders who have assembled at the Miami megachurch.The US president quickly moved on to his commitment to protecting Evangelical values, a point aimed at the dozens of evangelical leaders who have assembled at the Miami megachurch.
Richard Luscombe, who’s on the scene in Miami, observed that “Trump is calculating that by appealing to evangelicals he can again lock in the support of a large power base of voters that helped propel him to the White House in 2016.”Richard Luscombe, who’s on the scene in Miami, observed that “Trump is calculating that by appealing to evangelicals he can again lock in the support of a large power base of voters that helped propel him to the White House in 2016.”
That’s it from me on the live blog today. My west coast colleague, Mario Koran, will take things over for the next few hours.That’s it from me on the live blog today. My west coast colleague, Mario Koran, will take things over for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
In a short statement at his Florida resort, Donald Trump defended the drone strike that killed Qassem Suleimani, Iran’s top general. “We took action last night to stop a war,” the US president said. “We did not take action to start a war.”In a short statement at his Florida resort, Donald Trump defended the drone strike that killed Qassem Suleimani, Iran’s top general. “We took action last night to stop a war,” the US president said. “We did not take action to start a war.”
The US is sending nearly 3,000 more army troops to the Middle East amid fears of reprisals over the killing of Suleimani.The US is sending nearly 3,000 more army troops to the Middle East amid fears of reprisals over the killing of Suleimani.
Mike Pence justified the Suleimani strike by claiming (without evidence) that Iran supported the September 11 attackers – prompting criticism from foreign-policy experts, who called the vice-president’s assertion inaccurate and dangerous.Mike Pence justified the Suleimani strike by claiming (without evidence) that Iran supported the September 11 attackers – prompting criticism from foreign-policy experts, who called the vice-president’s assertion inaccurate and dangerous.
Trump’s Republican allies praised the strike as a necessary intervention to stop a “master terrorist”, but Democratic presidential candidates and lawmakers expressed fear that the attack could have disastrous consequences and set off “another endless war” in the Middle East.Trump’s Republican allies praised the strike as a necessary intervention to stop a “master terrorist”, but Democratic presidential candidates and lawmakers expressed fear that the attack could have disastrous consequences and set off “another endless war” in the Middle East.
The commander of the Quds force, which was previously run by Suleimani, advised Iranians angry about the general’s death to be “patient” and witness the killing of Americans across the Middle East.The commander of the Quds force, which was previously run by Suleimani, advised Iranians angry about the general’s death to be “patient” and witness the killing of Americans across the Middle East.
Mario will have much more coming up, so stay tuned.Mario will have much more coming up, so stay tuned.
Foreign-policy reporters criticized Mike Pence for linking Iran to the September 11 attackers without any evidence in order to justify the drone strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.Foreign-policy reporters criticized Mike Pence for linking Iran to the September 11 attackers without any evidence in order to justify the drone strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.
(The vice-president also misstated the number of September 11 attackers as 12, rather than 19.)(The vice-president also misstated the number of September 11 attackers as 12, rather than 19.)
Florida’s Democratic party rolled out some religious figures of their own to counter Donald Trump’s afternoon appearance before a Christian evangelical congregation in Miami.Florida’s Democratic party rolled out some religious figures of their own to counter Donald Trump’s afternoon appearance before a Christian evangelical congregation in Miami.
Doug Pagitt, a pastor and executive director of Vote Common Good, an organization that mobilizes voters of faith, decried the president’s event as a sham in a press call.Doug Pagitt, a pastor and executive director of Vote Common Good, an organization that mobilizes voters of faith, decried the president’s event as a sham in a press call.
“He’s trying to use this rally and this base to give cover for his broken promises and his immoral policies,” Pagitt said.“He’s trying to use this rally and this base to give cover for his broken promises and his immoral policies,” Pagitt said.
“It is Trump’s desperate response to the realization that he’s losing his primary voting bloc, faith voters. He realizes he needs every last vote if he wants a shot at re-election [and] losing even five per cent ends his chances.“It is Trump’s desperate response to the realization that he’s losing his primary voting bloc, faith voters. He realizes he needs every last vote if he wants a shot at re-election [and] losing even five per cent ends his chances.
“Many of these voters realize that Jesus’s admonition that you can gain the whole world and lose your very soul is coming into focus for them. While they will hear from Donald Trump that he is the best thing to ever happen to evangelical Christianity, these are voters who know that their faith does not depend on the power of the presidency.”“Many of these voters realize that Jesus’s admonition that you can gain the whole world and lose your very soul is coming into focus for them. While they will hear from Donald Trump that he is the best thing to ever happen to evangelical Christianity, these are voters who know that their faith does not depend on the power of the presidency.”
Pagitt said the rally offered faith voters two different visions of America. “One is to seek all that which benefits you and your agenda. The other is to think about others and to care for the common good,” he said.Pagitt said the rally offered faith voters two different visions of America. “One is to seek all that which benefits you and your agenda. The other is to think about others and to care for the common good,” he said.
Kevin Chambliss, a youth minister at Miami’s Covenant Missionary Baptist church, spoke of the need to “hold truth to power”.Kevin Chambliss, a youth minister at Miami’s Covenant Missionary Baptist church, spoke of the need to “hold truth to power”.
“We must hold this president accountable by calling out his disdain for law, we must speak up when he labels whole groups of people a racists, murderers and thieves, we have to speak up when he openly mocks people of disabilities, we must speak up when he unapologetically tries to use the government to discriminate against people because of their religious beliefs,” he said.“We must hold this president accountable by calling out his disdain for law, we must speak up when he labels whole groups of people a racists, murderers and thieves, we have to speak up when he openly mocks people of disabilities, we must speak up when he unapologetically tries to use the government to discriminate against people because of their religious beliefs,” he said.
“We need to make sure we don’t have another four years of Donald Trump, I see a better day in our country when those who need help the most can receive it with loving arms and not be taken advantage of as this president has done.”“We need to make sure we don’t have another four years of Donald Trump, I see a better day in our country when those who need help the most can receive it with loving arms and not be taken advantage of as this president has done.”
In his short statement on the Suleimani strike, Trump repeated his administration’s claim that the Iranian general was planning an imminent attack on US forces.In his short statement on the Suleimani strike, Trump repeated his administration’s claim that the Iranian general was planning an imminent attack on US forces.
“Last night, at my direction, the United States military successfully executed a flawless precision strike that killed the number one terrorist anywhere in the world, Qassem Soleimani,” the US president said in his statement. “Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel, but we caught him in the act and terminated him.”“Last night, at my direction, the United States military successfully executed a flawless precision strike that killed the number one terrorist anywhere in the world, Qassem Soleimani,” the US president said in his statement. “Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel, but we caught him in the act and terminated him.”
But it appears even some Penragon officials were unclear on what “imminent and sinister attacks” Trump was referring to.But it appears even some Penragon officials were unclear on what “imminent and sinister attacks” Trump was referring to.
The New York Times reports:The New York Times reports:
The vice president has jumped to Trump’s defense to justify the drone strike that killed Qassem Suleimani, calling the Iranian general “an evil man who was responsible for killing thousands of Americans.”The vice president has jumped to Trump’s defense to justify the drone strike that killed Qassem Suleimani, calling the Iranian general “an evil man who was responsible for killing thousands of Americans.”
But Pence’s list of “atrocities” was criticized by experts for including falsehoods, such as misstating the number of September 11 attackers and linking those terrorists to Iran without any evidence.But Pence’s list of “atrocities” was criticized by experts for including falsehoods, such as misstating the number of September 11 attackers and linking those terrorists to Iran without any evidence.
Here is more of the short statement Trump delivered on the Suelimani strike moments ago at Mar-a-Lago:Here is more of the short statement Trump delivered on the Suelimani strike moments ago at Mar-a-Lago:
“As president my highest and most solemn duty is the defense of our nation and its citizens. Last night, at my direction, the United States military successfully executed a flawless precision strike that killed the number one terrorist anywhere in the world, Qassem Soleimani. Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel, but we caught him in the act and terminated him.“As president my highest and most solemn duty is the defense of our nation and its citizens. Last night, at my direction, the United States military successfully executed a flawless precision strike that killed the number one terrorist anywhere in the world, Qassem Soleimani. Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel, but we caught him in the act and terminated him.
“Under my leadership America’s policy is unambiguous to terrorists who harm or intend to harm any American. We will find you. We will eliminate you. ...“Under my leadership America’s policy is unambiguous to terrorists who harm or intend to harm any American. We will find you. We will eliminate you. ...
“Today we remember and honor the victims of Soleimani’s many atrocities and we take comfort in knowing that his reign of terror is over. Soleimani has been perpetrating acts of terror to destabilize the Middle East for the last 20 years. What the United States did yesterday should have been done long ago. ...“Today we remember and honor the victims of Soleimani’s many atrocities and we take comfort in knowing that his reign of terror is over. Soleimani has been perpetrating acts of terror to destabilize the Middle East for the last 20 years. What the United States did yesterday should have been done long ago. ...
“America will always pursue the interests of good people, great people, great souls, while seeking peace, harmony and friendship with all of the nations of the world.”“America will always pursue the interests of good people, great people, great souls, while seeking peace, harmony and friendship with all of the nations of the world.”