New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is beefing up terrorism security in key areas of the city that may be at risk for an attack after a deadly airstrike ordered by President Trump in Iraq killed a force commander, provoking Iran to vow revenge on the United States.
“We will have to be vigilant against this threat for a long time to come,” de Blasio wrote on Twitter.
Los Angeles is also heightening security in the wake of the strike on Baghdad’s international airport that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassim Soleimani, who was the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ elite Quds Force. Six others at the Baghdad international airport were also killed in the strike early Friday.
The Pentagon confirmed that Trump ordered the airstrike in an effort to protect Americans abroad. According to the statement, General Soleimani had orchestrated attacks on American service members.
“General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more,” the Pentagon added.
“He had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months — including the attack on December 27th — culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel.”
Iran quickly vowed, “severe revenge” on the U.S., and the U.S. embassy in Iraq called on U.S. citizens to flee Iraq immediately, according to the Washington Post.
Trump has taken to Twitter once again to address the deadly strike.
“General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more…but got caught! He was, directly and indirectly, responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number….”
On New Year’s Eve, Trump tweeted, “The U.S. Embassy in Iraq is, & has been for hours, SAFE! Many of our great Warfighters, together with the most lethal military equipment in the world, was immediately rushed to the site. Thank you to the President & Prime Minister of Iraq for their rapid response upon request….” following the reports of protests at the U.S. Embassy in response to the airstrikes. He then issued a direct threat to Iran.
“…Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning; it is a Threat. Happy New Year!”
