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In Sunni World, Many Applaud Soleimani Killing

Jacob Wirtschafter

   AMMAN - Security sources in the Sunni states mostly applaud the
   assassination of Quds Force leader Major General Qassem Soleimani of
   Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, and his deputy in
   Baghdad, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the leader of Iraq's Kataeb Hezbollah.

   "There has long been a hostile feeling by the Arabs and [Sunni] Muslims
   toward Qassem Soleimani," said Nabil Al-Otoom, a Jordanian analyst
   focusing on Iran. "The American move drew a strong positive reaction
   from public opinion in the region, and a strengthened U.S. presence in
   Iraq is becoming more important to stop Iranian plans to build a
   regional empire by 2030.

   "His elimination has slowed Iran's plan to manage a military coup with
   politicians completely loyal to Tehran controlling the government,"
   Al-Otoom said. "I can say that this American move was in the right
   direction."

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