Much of the talk about yesterday’s drone strike has been focused on Qasem Soleimani, somewhat missing the other significant individuals with him in his convoy, and in doing so, missing why this convoy was such a threat.
Also in the convoy was Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
Also in the convoy was Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
al-Muhandis helped form Kata'ib Hezbollah, a powerful paramilitary entity that had been actively involved in the protests at the US embassy in Baghdad
The group were active in the Iraqi civil war against coalition forces & more latterly against ISIS, again backed by Iran.
The group were active in the Iraqi civil war against coalition forces & more latterly against ISIS, again backed by Iran.
But al-Muhandis is better known for the work he did in the 1980s, particularly towards United States embassies.
On 12 December 1983, two months after the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, a series of terrorist attacks took place in Kuwait.
On 12 December 1983, two months after the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, a series of terrorist attacks took place in Kuwait.
One of the targets was the American Embassy in Kuwait City. A truck bomb demolished half of one building.
Five people were killed, but embassy staff were largely spared because the driver did not hit more heavily populated buildings and only a quarter of the explosives ignited.
Five people were killed, but embassy staff were largely spared because the driver did not hit more heavily populated buildings and only a quarter of the explosives ignited.
In 2007, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was sentenced to death in absentia for his part in the 1983 Kuwait attacks; he is largely considered to be their architect.
There was a lot of risk attached to the protests at the US Embassy on Baghdad, especially given this history.
There was a lot of risk attached to the protests at the US Embassy on Baghdad, especially given this history.
