Baghdad (CNN) President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike at Baghdad International Airport that killed Qasem Soleimani, a key Iranian military commander , in a "decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad" that was intended to deter "future Iranian attack plans," the Pentagon confirmed Thursday. According to the Pentagon, Soleimani also approved that attack. The Green Zone in Baghdad was completely locked down by Iraqi security forces to prevent any emergency following the strike, two Iraqi Security sources told CNN. The US airstrike killed the commander of Iran's Quds Force at Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2019. News of the strike prompted an immediate reaction from Iranian officials who condemned the killing.

Source: CNN January 02, 2020 23:21 UTC