Assassination of Qasem Soleimani

The United States has confirmed conducting a targeted strike on Iraqi soil, resulting in the death of a senior commander from the Shiite group "Kataib Hezbollah." The strike, carried out in response to attacks on US military personnel in the region, occurred at 21:30 local time, according to a statement released by the US Armed Forces Central Command (CENTCOM) on social media.

The Americans claim that the attack was carried out by militants supported by Iran.
The conflict in the Middle East escalated dramatically after Hamas fighters attacked Israel on October 7 last year. People across the region are bracing for more violence, but does that mean a major war is likely?

Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at positions occupied by "terrorist groups" in Syria and Iraq on late Monday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement.

State media reported that IRGC destroyed a "spy headquarters" and a "gathering of anti-Iran terrorist groups" in Syria with ballistic missiles.

Local authorities announced that it was a terrorist attack.
A large number of ambulances arrived at the scene of the accident and the injured were taken to local hospitals. The New York Times reports that 141 people were injured. All were transferred to hospitals.

Washington is "prepared to react" if Tehran launches an attack to mark the first anniversary of the killing of powerful Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, the head of U.S. forces in the Middle East warned on Dec. 20.