Section Six: Untold Stories and Behind-the-Scenes Documents (Part One)
Political Section
In this section, the lesser-known and untold aspects of the activities of General Qassem Soleimani, the late Commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), are examined. This part includes documents of secret meetings, undisclosed missions, and General Soleimani’s key role in managing regional crises in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, as well as scenes never before revealed in the media. The content is presented comprehensively and analytically, based on available sources and in-depth studies.
Documents of Secret Meetings and Undeclared Missions
Qassem Soleimani, famously known as the “Shadow Commander,” operated mostly behind the scenes due to the covert nature of his missions within the Quds Force. His secret meetings with political and military officials in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and even Russia were rarely covered by the media. These meetings aimed to ensure strategic coordination, strengthen the Axis of Resistance, and manage regional crises.
One of the most notable examples was Soleimani’s secret trip to Moscow in 2015, during which, according to reports, he met senior Russian officials — including President Vladimir Putin — to secure military support for the government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria’s civil war. The confidential meeting became a turning point in Russia’s military involvement in Syria and reinforced the position of Iran’s allies against rebel groups and ISIS. Western media such as The Intelligencer later reported that Soleimani played a decisive role in convincing Moscow to intervene militarily, though details of the meeting remained undisclosed.
Leaked documents from 2013, taken from hacked correspondence of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s representative in Iran, revealed Soleimani’s crucial role in secret negotiations with Kurdish leaders. These communications, first published by Iraqi media, showed that Soleimani was not only a military strategist but also a major diplomatic actor in the region. Acting as the main liaison between Tehran and Erbil, he helped manage Iran’s relations with Kurdish factions, especially during the anti-ISIS campaign — underscoring the depth of his influence, which often extended beyond Iran’s formal diplomatic institutions.
Another unpublicized mission involved the transfer of military equipment to Syria, during which Soleimani reportedly flew aboard an aircraft carrying “restricted cargo.” When Iraqi authorities became suspicious and detained the plane in Baghdad, Soleimani disguised himself as a flight engineer and, with the help of the pilot and a bribe to local officials, managed to prevent the inspection and seizure of the cargo. This episode illustrated his daring and intricate tactics in carrying out covert operations.
Details of Soleimani’s Role in Crisis Management in Iraq and Lebanon
As the architect of Iran’s regional strategy, General Soleimani played an irreplaceable role in crisis management across Iraq and Lebanon — particularly during critical moments — through coordination with militias, political negotiations, and direct presence on the battlefield.
Iraq: Managing the ISIS Crisis and Popular Protests
In Iraq, Soleimani was pivotal in two major periods: the fight against ISIS and the management of public unrest. In 2014, when ISIS captured Mosul and threatened Baghdad, Soleimani quickly intervened, organizing the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) — a coalition of Iran-backed Shia militias — into a powerful front against ISIS. Former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi described him as one of Iraq’s key allies in defeating ISIS. Soleimani not only supplied arms and training but also personally appeared on frontlines, including in Kurdistan, to coordinate with Kurdish Peshmerga forces.
During the intense unrest of 2019 and 2020, which were reportedly fueled by the U.S. embassy, Zionist-linked networks, and certain Arab regimes’ media and financial influence, Soleimani’s name emerged not as an intervener but as a supporter of the Iraqi people and a protector of fraternal bonds between Iran and Iraq.
He attended these events at the invitation of Iraqi leaders and allies, not to interfere in internal affairs, but to share experience and help neutralize sedition and chaos threatening Iraq’s stability.
