Summary
Gholamreza Soleimani, leader of Iran's Basij forces, was reportedly killed by the Israeli military. Soleimani had led Iran's internal security for six years and was a veteran of the Iran-Iraq War. The Basij forces are a paramilitary group under Iran's Revolutionary Guards.
Key Facts
- Gholamreza Soleimani was the commander of Iran's Basij forces.
- Israel claims to have killed him in a military strike.
- Soleimani, aged 62, was a veteran of the Iran-Iraq War.
- The Basij is a volunteer paramilitary force under the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
- The Basij has been involved in enforcing internal security and suppressing protests.
- Soleimani was appointed as the head of the Basij in July 2019.
- Iran has not confirmed the reports of his death.
- Soleimani was sanctioned by the US, EU, UK, and Canada for his role in suppressing protests.
