Lawmakers and other Colorado officials react after the Pentagon confirmed the death of General Qassim Solemani in an airstrike at Baghdad International Airport.
Soleimani was the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, and was the leader of Iran's military forces in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and throughout the Middle East.
The Quds Force is a division of Iran's Revolutionary Guard believed to support a number of Iranian-backed terror groups such as Hezbollah.
The Department of Defense statement called it a "decisive defensive action to protect U.S. Personnel abroad." It also said Soleimani was "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members" in the Middle East, including recent attacks on coalition bases in Iraq in recent months as well as the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.
U.S. Senator Cory Gardner said in a statement that he commends the action, and urged the Trump Administration to be prepared for retaliation:
“I commend the Administration for taking this decisive action today in Baghdad against Tehran-backed terrorists. The world should not mourn Qassem Soleimani, a man whose name is synonymous with murder in the Middle East and who was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American service members. I now urge the Administration to be prepared for possible retaliation, including against U.S. troops stationed in the region, and to consult closely with Congress on any next steps should the situation escalate. I hope Iran will realize its future depends on stopping its support of terrorism.”
Rep. Doug Lamborn tweet Friday morning he was "pleased to hear" about President Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's actions:
I am pleased to hear that @realDonaldTrump and @SecPompeo took action against the brutal terrorist, Qassem Soleimani. He had the blood of hundreds of our brave American warriors on his hands & orchestrated attacks on coalition bases- including the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
— Rep. Doug Lamborn (@RepDLamborn) January 3, 2020
