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Mourners chant slogans against the U.S. during the funeral of Qassem Soleimani, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, in the shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala, Iraq, Baghdad Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020. ( AP) In addition to threatening the U.S. with a possible attack, Abuhamzehs remarks that the targets had been previously identified by Iran seemed to confirm the State Departments statement regarding the motivation behind the airstrike. His comments come after it U.S. defense officials told Fox News that more than 3,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Divisions 1st Brigade Combat Team would be deployed to Kuwait. Irans top shadow commander, as Qassem Soleimani was known, was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more. According to State Departments, the airstrike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. Mourners step over a U.S. flags with pictures of President Trump while waiting for the funeral of Iran's top general Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, in Baghdad, Iraq, Baghdad Saturday( AP) SOLEIMANI FUNERAL PROCESSION IN BAGHDAD DRAWS THOUSANDS OF MOURNERS CHANTING AMERICA IS Qassem Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region, the United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world. Mourners gathering in the streets of Baghdad Saturday for Qassem Soleimani funeral procession. Dressed in black military fatigues, the mostly male-dominated group carried Iraqi flags and the flags of Iran-backed militias that are fiercely loyal to Qassem Soleimani. In this image made from a video, mourners gather for a funeral procession for Gen. Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020. ( PMF Media Office via AP) They were heard chanting.