20-Year Memorial: Esmail Qaani Takes Leading Role In Funeral Rites Of Missile Attack Victims

Introduction

At Hosseinieh Fatemeh al-Zahra in Tehran, Iranian officials and military personnel held a solemn ceremony to remember the missile attack that occurred on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

After his unexpected death and Qasem Soleimani’s departure, Brigadier General Esmail Qaani became the head of the Quds Forces. He was born on August 8, 1957, in Mashhad, which is well known as a vibrant city, and joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) at an early age.

His leadership skills shone during the brutal Iran-Iraq war, where he commanded Nasr Brigade 5th and Imam Reza Armored Brigade 21st. The post-war era saw him smoothly move from the IRGC’s Quds Force to operations across its eastern boundaries, specifically Khorasan province.

As Deputy Commander of the Quds Force under Major General Qassem Soleimani, he navigated through complex geopolitical terrain related to paramilitary groups like Hezbollah or even crucial financial disbursements. At this time, he was also engaged in fighting drug smuggling and supporting regional allies, including the Northern Alliance, based in Afghanistan.

April 8, 2024 | 6:15 pm