TEHRAN - The martyr Iranian lieutenant general was known around the world for his bravery on the battlefield. He played a critical role as a top military advisor to help Iraq and Syria emerge victorious in their battle against the Daesh terrorism. 

General Soleimani was also known for his humanitarian character. Tehran Times reached out to Iraqi war reporter Sayyed Haider al-Mousavi, who spent many months with General Soleimani in many battlefields in Iraq and Syria Al-Mousavi sheds light on just some of the humanitarian aspects of General Soleimani, who was assassinated by a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad International Airport on January 3rd, 2020. 

The United Nations denounced the attack as "unlawful" and many around the world poured their anger against the U.S. on the streets. 

Al-Mousavi refers to General Soleimani, like many in West Asia and beyond, as "Hajji" or "Hajj Qassem" as a sign of respect. 

Following is the text of the interview: 

Q: What stands out for you the most on the battlefield with General Qassem Soleimani?

A: "One of the hardest operations that always comes to mind was a battle in Palmyra. The Hajji was on the front line in the face of extremely heavy gunfire by the terrorists. We all were. It was perhaps the heaviest operation we defeated. 

Hajj Qassem contacted the person responsible for the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Quds Force in eastern Tehran. 

It was difficult to hear the voice of Hajji with the person in Tehran amid the heavy sound of gunfire.

The person responsible for the Quds Force in Tehran asked him 'what do you need Hajji? Just give an order; has something happened?'

This person was quickly under the impression that a major incident had occurred in the operation that the Hajji was involved in because of the sounds of heavy gunfire. 

The IRGC Quds Force officer quickly asked again what do you need for this operation, fearing for the Hajji life. 

Hajj Qassem replied that 'I need to ask you for a request'. 

'Go ahead’.

The Hajji said when I was in Tehran in the Quds Force center. There was an open hill there and there were always different animals there, including wild animals and foxes. A divided area for birds also. 

The Hajji told him that when I was in Tehran, I used to always take food for these animals and now there is no one to give them any food. 

This is the only request I have. Please send somebody or go there, the weather is very cold now and they certainly do not have any food so please deliver some food for them."

Q: What other events would you think reflected his humanitarian side on the battlefield?

A: "There were so many. Once in al-Bukamal (Eastern Syria). 

You know the Hajji, especially with the social media videos that went viral was very caring, passionate and such a kind, humble gentleman; he spoke softly and with love. At the same time, all these characteristics gave him so much respect among everyone around him. 

The United Nations denounced the assassination of General Soleimani as "unlawful" and many others around the world vented their anger against the U.S. on the streets. This was very clear, everyone knows these characteristics, through his photos, videos and other footage. 

In al-Bukamal, one of the brothers had a radio (walkie talkie), people were talking from different locations, when Hajj Qassem's voice came on. 

I felt, for the first time, that Hajj Qassem was extremely angry. He was very upset and you can sense the anger in his voice at the person he was addressing. 

I was surprised. In al-Bukamal the situation was very tense, a very difficult operation and the Hajji angry. 

I wanted to find out what was going on. 

I soon found out that the person that Hajj Qassem was addressing was in charge of delivering food to the soldiers. 

So, there was this group of young men, among them Afghan and Pakistani volunteers. 

This unit had entered in the middle of the battlefield so the food had not been delivered to them and they didn't say anything or complain about it. 

After many long hours, the leader of the unit contacted the Hajji asking 'if we can just get some water, we might get stuck later.'

So, the Hajji was very angry at the person responsible for the food asking him why nothing has been delivered to these soldiers? 

This person replied, 'nobody requested from me. I have prepared the food; they haven't come to collect it'.

The Hajji got even angrier and as I told you I learnt afterward, the Hajji had told the man responsible for food that you have to deliver the food to the soldiers. 

These volunteers, the Hajji said, didn't leave their families and work to come and pick up food. You must deliver it. This is your responsibility. You are not a cook so that people come and pick up their lunch, the Hajji had told him. 

'How have you not paid attention that these people have taken this path and are fighting to save women and children, how can you allow this to happen, these people have come here to fight and you are sitting here with an excuse.'

This is what the Hajji said."

Q: What was it like being a war journalist with General Soleimani? 

A: "In the war against Daesh terrorism, especially in Iraq and Syria, most of us, as journalists, wanted to be as close as possible to the front line, a sensitive point, or a decisive event, for example, to get the best coverage. 

This was something even more important when it came to the liberation of an area or land. 

Every reporter wished for this. Perhaps not everyone but the majority of the reporters. 

This happened on a number of occasions in Iraq and Syria when we were so happy that we finished our coverage with very critical developments captured. 

At one point, we were very close to the terrorists, whereby the cameraman was in shooting distance of a sniper. Suddenly we saw the Hajji was at a point which was even closer to the enemy than we were. 

He was on a motorbike, sitting at the back and entered the battlefield ahead of us. 

This happened on a number of occasions in Iraq and Syria. 

When you see the Hajji in front of you and give you the green light to follow him, you just felt safe. 

Most of the other commanders would give orders to go to the battle while they sat back at the barracks, the Hajji was always the opposite. He was unique and enabled us to make the best reports."