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The United Nations’ chief is deeply concerned with the recent escalation of tensions in the Gulf after a U.S. strike killed a powerful Iranian general in Baghdad, saying the world is not ready for another war.
According to a UN spokesperson in a statement, Antonio Guterres has consistently advocated de-escalation of tensions in the Gulf.
“This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. The world cannot afford another war in the region,’’ the statement said.
The attack also killed top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an adviser to Soleimani.
It followed a sharp increase in long running U.S.-Iranian hostilities recently when pro-Iranian militiamen attacked the U.S. embassy in Iraq following a U.S. air raid on the Kataib Hezbollah militia, founded by Muhandis.
Iraq’s prime minister said that with Friday’s attack Washington had violated a deal for keeping U.S. troops in his country.
Israel put its army on high alert and U.S. allies in Europe including Britain, France and Germany voiced concerns about an escalation in tensions.
U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Soleimani was killed in a drone strike. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said he died in an attack by U.S. helicopters.
The U.S. embassy in Baghdad urged all American citizens to depart Iraq immediately.
Germany restricts movement of troops in Iraq following U.S. strike
Germany is restricting the movements of its troops in Iraq following the strike on Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, a spokesman for the deployment command said from its headquarters outside Berlin on Friday.
“The headquarters of the international military coalition combating Islamic State had issued an order to this effect, covering movements on the ground and in the air,’’ the spokesman said.
Germany has deployed 27 troops in a training capacity to Camp Taji, some 30 kilometres north of Baghdad.
“Nothing has changed in the mission and we are continuing there as ordered,’’ he said, adding that preparations there were proceeding for the next course, which is set to start in mid-January.
A further five German troops are deployed to the headquarters of the anti-Islamic State coalition in Baghdad and there are around 90 German army soldiers in the Kurdish controlled zone in northern Iraq engaged in training.
The total German contingent for the international deployment against Islamic State currently numbers 415 men and women.
The contingent is currently being commanded from Jordan, where many of them are stationed.
The Defence Department in Washington confirmed earlier that Soleimani was killed in an attack near Baghdad airport, in what the U.S. described as “defensive action” strikes.
Soleimani was killed along with the deputy head of Iraq’s powerful Shiite Hashd Shaabi militia, Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes.
India urges restraint after killing of Iranian commander by U.S.
India on Friday called for “restraint” as the situation in the Gulf escalated dramatically after the killing of a top Iranian military commander by the U.S. forces at Baghdad airport in Iraq.
In a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian government said that the heightened tension had “alarmed the world.”
“We have noted that a senior Iranian leader has been killed by the U.S.
“The increase in tension has alarmed the world. Peace, stability and security in the region is of utmost importance to India. It is vital that the situation does not escalate further.
“India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so.”
Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who led a highly specialised Iranian armed force called Quds Force, was killed by U.S. forces on Thursday in a drone strike.
“General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
It, however, called the strike “decisive defensive’’ action aimed at deterring future Iranian attacks.
U.S. says it disrupted ‘imminent attack’ with killing of top Iranian commander
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the that the U.S. air strike in Baghdad that killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force and architect of its growing military influence in the Middle East aimed to disrupt an “imminent attack” that would have endangered Americans in the Middle East.
However, Democratic critics said the Republican president had raised the risk of more violence in a dangerous region.
Pompeo, in interviews on Fox News and CNN, declined to discuss many details of the alleged threat but said it was “an intelligence based assessment” that drove the decision to target Soleimani.
Iran on Friday promised harsh revenge after the U.S. air strike that killed Soleimani.
Soleimani, a 62-year-old general, was regarded as the second most powerful figure in Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The overnight attack, authorised by President Donald Trump, was a dramatic escalation in a “shadow war” in the Middle East between Iran and the U.S. and its allies, principally Israel and Saudi Arabia.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the strike aimed to disrupt an “imminent attack” that would have endangered Americans in the Middle East.
Democratic critics said the Republican president had raised the risk of more violence in a dangerous region.
Pompeo, in interviews on Fox News and CNN, declined to discuss many details of the alleged threat but said it was “an intelligence based assessment” that drove the decision to target Soleimani.
The attack also killed top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an adviser to Soleimani.
It followed a sharp increase in long running U.S.-Iranian hostilities recently when pro-Iranian militiamen attacked the U.S. embassy in Iraq following a U.S. air raid on the Kataib Hezbollah militia, founded by Muhandis.
Iraq’s prime minister said that with Friday’s attack Washington had violated a deal for keeping U.S. troops in his country.
Israel put its army on high alert and U.S. allies in Europe including Britain, France and Germany voiced concerns about an escalation in tensions.
U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Soleimani was killed in a drone strike. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said he died in an attack by U.S. helicopters.
The U.S. embassy in Baghdad urged all American citizens to depart Iraq immediately.
Dozens of U.S. citizens working for foreign oil companies in the southern city of Basra were leaving the country.
Iraqi officials said the evacuations would not affect output and exports were unaffected.
Oil prices jumped over 3 dollars a barrel over concern about disruption to Middle East supplies.
Khamenei said harsh revenge awaited the “criminals” who killed Soleimani and said his death would double resistance against the U. S. and Israel.
In statements on state media, he called for three days of national mourning and appointed Soleimani’s deputy, Brig.-Gen. Esmail Ghaani, to replace him as Quds Force head.