Qassim Soleimani, the late commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), remains a polarizing figure in international politics. Revered by some as a hero and criticized by others for his role in Iran’s foreign policy, Soleimani was a key strategist and operator in the Middle East for over two decades.
His influence extended beyond Iran, shaping the geopolitics of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and other conflict zones in the region. Above all, his supporters highlight his role in fighting terrorist groups such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and other extremist organizations that destabilized the region.
Born in 1957 in Kerman, a rural province in south-eastern Iran, Soleimani rose through the ranks of the IRGC after joining during the early years of the Islamic Republic. His leadership and operational prowess during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988) earned him recognition as a disciplined and capable military figure.
In 1998, Soleimani was appointed commander of the Quds Force, a unit responsible for Iran’s extraterritorial military and intelligence operations. Under his leadership, the Quds Force became a central player in Iran’s strategy to project influence in the Middle East, often by working with allied militias and paramilitary groups.
One of Soleimani’s most notable legacies is his role in the fight against ISIS. When the extremist group overran large swathes of Iraq and Syria in 2014, creating a self-declared “caliphate,” Soleimani and the Quds Force became deeply involved in counterterrorism operations. Collaborating with the Iraqi government and Shia militias, Soleimani helped to orchestrate efforts to reclaim territories such as Mosul, Tikrit, and Fallujah from ISIS control. His presence on the frontlines, often captured in widely circulated photographs, symbolized his hands-on approach to combat.
Soleimani also played a pivotal role in defending the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad during the Syrian Civil War. While his critics argue that this support contributed to prolonging the conflict, his allies credit him with fighting against extremist groups like Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda, and later ISIS in Syria. These efforts, according to his supporters, were instrumental in preventing the collapse of governments and the spread of terrorism in the region.
His military strategies were not limited to direct combat. Soleimani was known for building networks of allied groups across the region, from Hezbollah in Lebanon to various Shia militias in Iraq. These alliances were key in counterterrorism operations, though they also fueled accusations that he undermined state sovereignty and escalated sectarian tensions.
Soleimani’s death in January 2020, in a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad International Airport, marked the end of an era for Iran’s regional strategy. While the strike was justified by the U.S. as a measure to prevent imminent attacks, it sparked widespread mourning in Iran and among his allies, with many highlighting his contributions to the fight against terrorism.
Though his legacy is complex, there is little doubt that Qassim Soleimani was a central figure in the struggle against violent extremism in the Middle East. To his supporters, he was a steadfast commander who stood on the frontlines to confront terrorism and defend his nation’s interests. To others, he remains a symbol of Iran’s controversial regional policies.
