Top Iranian commander Major General Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, the elite special forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has stated that the terrorist group ISIS will be annihilated in no more than two months time, the Iranian Fars News Agency reports.
“I … already said we will root out ISIS in three months’ time, and I’m telling you now that the annihilation of ISIS is close at hand and we will celebrate the destruction of this evil tree in two months, and it is Iran, Russia, Syria, and Iraq that should hold that celebration,” the Quds Force commander said.
Soleimani furthermore stated that while Iran is heavily involved in the fight against terrorism in Iraq and Syria, the terrorists dare not attack Iran directly, due to its successful experience in withstanding and driving back invasion forces such as Saddam Hussein’s armies in the 1980s. He also reiterated that according to Iran, the conflict is by no means a sectarian one.
“The enemies tried to create the impression that this is a Shi’ite-Sunni war, but today there is more kindness between Shi’ites and Sunnis than ever before (…) Today, all those who have come from Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan to defend holy shrines have come voluntarily.”
Qasem Soleimani is widely credited as being the mastermind behind the highly successful Iranian support to both Iraq and Syria in the years when ISIS was at the height of its power, and is seen by friend and foe alike as an extremely capable field agent and commander. Soleimani is seen as a potential candidate for the presidency, having been named twice as a potential runner for the seat, both in 2013 and in 2017. Both times however, the General turned down the offer in favour of continuing his military career.