By Uche Mbah
The killing of the Iranian National Guard commander, Qassem Suleimani, has triggered a lot of international ripple effects, including the surge of international oil price to $70 per barrel, and Israeli raising of security bar on all borders, with many fearing this might just be the trigger that will kick-start a global war that may result in many deaths and culminate in a feared world war.
Pentagon has owned up responsibility for what the Iranian leader, Ayotola Ali Khomeini, called an Assassination, and has said Iran will have to start a devastating war. Iran has summoned an emergency security council meeting.
Soleimani was the mastermind of Iran’s Military strategy for years.
Critics of President Trump, who only tweeted the American flag in reaction to the killing, all but accuse him of playing politics with the lives of Americans to present the facade of a strong man-a gimmick, they claim, aimed at winning the next election. Indications are that Trump may not have consulted intelligence reports before ordering the attack.
Killed with Soleimani was Abu Mahdi Al Mohandis, Iraqi militia commander. This has tended to forge a greater tie between two former enemies, who have now vowed to unite in the fight against the American imperialism. Shiites all over the world, including Nigeria, are mourning his death.
Reports indicate that Israel has beefed up security at the Palestinian border in anticipation of violent reactions targeted at the Israeli nation. This is as the Hezbollah is threatening fire and brimstone over the killings.
The strike has precipitated a surge in Oil price to nearly $70 per barrel amid fears that the largest oil basket may face serious crisis in the immediate future. America has promised air strikes on oil installations as a follow up to Soleimani’s death, though Iran has been reeling under a barrage of sanctions from the United states.
There has been as yet no official reaction from the Nigerian government, though the government has been having a running battle with the Shiites group through the detention of their leader, Ibrahim el Zakzaky.
