A supporter of Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah carries pictures of the late Iran's Quds Force top commander Qassem Suleimani during a rally commemorating the Hezbollah's slain leaders, in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon. Reuters
A supporter of Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah carries pictures of the late Iran's Quds Force top commander Qassem Suleimani during a rally commemorating the Hezbollah's slain leaders, in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon. Reuters
A supporter of Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah carries pictures of the late Iran's Quds Force top commander Qassem Suleimani during a rally commemorating the Hezbollah's slain leaders, in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon. Reuters
A supporter of Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah carries pictures of the late Iran's Quds Force top commander Qassem Suleimani during a rally commemorating the Hezbollah's slain leaders, in

US drone strike on Iran's Qassem Suleimani 'unlawful', UN investigator says

Washington has failed to provide sufficient evidence of an ongoing or imminent attack against its interests to justify the strike, says the UN special rapporteur

Reuters

July 07, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The US drone strike in Iraq that killed top Iranian general Qassem Suleimani and nine others in January represented a breach of international law, a UN human rights investigator has said.

The United States has failed to provide sufficient evidence of an ongoing or imminent attack against its interests to justify the strike on Suleimani's convoy as it left Baghdad airport, said Agnes Callamard, UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.

The attack violated the UN Charter, Ms Callamard wrote in a report calling for accountability for targeted killings by armed drones and for greater regulation of the weapons.

"The world is at a critical time, and possible tipping point, when it comes to the use of drones. ... The Security Council is missing in action; the international community, willingly or not, stands largely silent," Ms Callamard, an independent investigator, said on Monday.

Ms Callamard is due to present her findings to the Human Rights Council on Thursday, giving member states a chance to debate what action to pursue. The United States is not a member of the forum, having quit two years ago.

Maj Gen Suleimani, leader of the of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, was a pivotal figure in orchestrating Iran's campaign to drive US forces out of Iraq, and built up Iran's network of proxy armies across the Middle East. Washington had accused the deceased commander of masterminding attacks by Iranian-aligned militias on US forces in the region.

"Major General Suleimani was in charge of Iran military strategy, and actions, in Syria and Iraq. But absent an actual imminent threat to life, the course of action taken by the US was unlawful," Ms Callamard wrote in the report.

The drone strike on January 3 was the first known incident in which a nation invoked self-defence as a justification for an attack against a state actor in the territory of a third country, Ms Callamard said.

Iran retaliated with a rocket attack on an Iraqi airbase where US forces were stationed. Hours later, Iranian forces on high alert mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger airliner taking off from Tehran.

Iran has issued an arrest warrant for US President Donald Trump and 35 others over Suleimani's killing and has asked Interpol for help, Tehran prosecutor Ali Alqasimehr said last month, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

A look back at the US attack on Suleimani

A burning vehicle near Baghdad International Airport, Iraq. Security Media Cell / EPA
A burning vehicle near Baghdad International Airport, Iraq. Security Media Cell / EPA
A burning vehicle near Baghdad International Airport, Iraq. Security Media Cell / EPA
A burning vehicle near Baghdad International Airport, Iraq. Security Media Cell / EPA
A burning vehicle near Baghdad International Airport, Iraq. Security Media Cell / EPA
A burning vehicle near Baghdad International Airport, Iraq. Security Media Cell / EPA
Qassem Suleimani, head of the Revolutionary Guard's foreign operations branch, the Quds Force, was killed in a US rocket strike at Baghdad International Airport. AFP
Qassem Suleimani, head of the Revolutionary Guard's foreign operations branch, the Quds Force, was killed in a US rocket strike at Baghdad International Airport. AFP
Suleimani, centre, began to rise in stature during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War. Getty Images
Suleimani, centre, began to rise in stature during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War. Getty Images
Suleimani and Hadi Al Amiri, head of Iraqi Badr organisation, in Iraq during the fight against ISIS.
Suleimani and Hadi Al Amiri, head of Iraqi Badr organisation, in Iraq during the fight against ISIS.
Suleimani, the commander of Iran's Quds Force, drinking tea in Tikrit in 2015.
Suleimani, the commander of Iran's Quds Force, drinking tea in Tikrit in 2015.
Suleimani and Iraqi Shiite cleric, politician, and militia leader Moqtada Al Sadr in Tehran. AFP
Suleimani and Iraqi Shiite cleric, politician, and militia leader Moqtada Al Sadr in Tehran. AFP
Suleimani during a meeting with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, centre, and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani in Tehran in 2019. AFP
Suleimani during a meeting with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, centre, and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani in Tehran in 2019. AFP
Suleimani uses a walkie-talkie at the frontline during offensive operations against Islamic State militants in the town of Tal Ksaiba in Salahuddin province in 2015. Reuters
Suleimani uses a walkie-talkie at the frontline during offensive operations against Islamic State militants in the town of Tal Ksaiba in Salahuddin province in 2015. Reuters
Suleimani walks near an armoured vehicle in Tal Ksaiba in Salahuddin province. Reuters
Suleimani walks near an armoured vehicle in Tal Ksaiba in Salahuddin province. Reuters
Suleimani stands at the frontline in Tal Ksaiba. Reuters
Suleimani stands at the frontline in Tal Ksaiba. Reuters
Suleimani attends an annual rally commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, in Tehran in 2016. AP Photo
Suleimani attends an annual rally commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, in Tehran in 2016. AP Photo
Suleimani was one of the Revolutionary Guard officers sent to Lebanon to organise the formation of Shiite militia groups during the Lebanese Civil War. Out of his efforts rose the now regionally dominant Hezbollah. AP
Suleimani was one of the Revolutionary Guard officers sent to Lebanon to organise the formation of Shiite militia groups during the Lebanese Civil War. Out of his efforts rose the now regionally dominant Hezbollah. AP
Suleimani became close to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah while assisting the rise of the group. AFP
Suleimani became close to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah while assisting the rise of the group. AFP
Together, the pair planned countless Hezbollah actions inside and outside of Lebanon.
Together, the pair planned countless Hezbollah actions inside and outside of Lebanon.
Suleimani was close to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, seated.
Suleimani was close to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, seated.
Under Suleimani, the Quds Force helped Iraqi militias carry out a deadly attacks on American and coalition troops following the US-led invasion in 2003. AFP
Under Suleimani, the Quds Force helped Iraqi militias carry out a deadly attacks on American and coalition troops following the US-led invasion in 2003. AFP
In Syria, Suleimani served as commander-in-chief of Iran’s operations in support of Bashar Al Assad’s regime. AFP
In Syria, Suleimani served as commander-in-chief of Iran’s operations in support of Bashar Al Assad’s regime. AFP
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with Suleimani in 2015. AFP
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with Suleimani in 2015. AFP
Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

THE SPECS

Engine: 4.4-litre V8

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 523hp

Torque: 750Nm

Price: Dh469,000

The specs: 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet

Price, base: Dh429,090

Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission Seven-speed automatic

Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km

While you're here
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England v New Zealand

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Palestine and Israel
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Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm) 

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Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn  (4.30pm) 

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Sunday, May 17

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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
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Vidaamuyarchi

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

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4pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 | US$350,000 | (Dirt) | 1,200m
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The biog

Favourite book: Animal Farm by George Orwell

Favourite music: Classical

Hobbies: Reading and writing

 

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Profile of Tamatem

Date started: March 2013

Founder: Hussam Hammo

Based: Amman, Jordan

Employees: 55

Funding: $6m

Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media

UAE currency
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Director: Ayan Mukerji

Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
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  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes