Pro-Iran Protests Erupt Across Multiple Countries Following Khamenei's Death
Pro-Iran demonstrations have emerged in multiple countries. Pro-Iran protesters angered by the death of Iran’s highest leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have even resulted in riots in some countries.
Earlier, Khamenei’s death was confirmed on Sunday. The 86-year-old Shiite cleric who led Iran since 1989 was killed in a missile attack by the United States and Israel on Saturday in Tehran, Iran.
In Pakistan, violence occurred in Karachi. Demonstrators attempted to storm the United States Consulate on Sunday. This resulted in eight people dead whilst 20 were wounded.
According to a spokesperson for the rescue service of the Edhi Foundation, Muhammad Amin, most demonstrators suffered gunshot wounds. The chaotic situation occurred as a group of young people climbed the main gate and entered the consulate building’s entrance road, and destroyed several windows.
Police subsequently fired tear gas at the demonstrators, who then dispersed. Videos on social media showed young people smashing windows of the consulate’s main building whilst the American flag was seen flying above the complex, whose perimeter was surrounded by barbed wire.
Thousands also took to the streets in the city of Lahore in the east and in Skardu in the north. Demonstrations also occurred in the capital Islamabad.
Meanwhile in Iraq, the Green Zone area in Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, was reinforced. This was because hundreds of Iraqi residents wearing black clothing attempted to storm the complex housing the American embassy on Sunday.
“The martyrdom of Sayyed Ali Khamenei has pained us,” said Ali, a masked demonstrator, telling AFP.
“We are here because we want the withdrawal of American occupation forces from Iraq,” he added.
The demonstrators were also reported to have thrown stones at security forces. This was then responded to by troops with tear gas.
“Their efforts so far have been thwarted, but they continue trying,” said a security source.
In Kashmir, India, several thousand Shiite Muslims joined street demonstrations in the major city of Srinagar. Demonstrators carrying red, black, and yellow flags gathered in the main square.
Many of them chanted anti-Israel and anti-American slogans during the emotionally charged gathering. However, the majority of the demonstrations remained peaceful.
“Today we are all in deep mourning. We mourn our beloved leader who fell as a martyr,” said Syed Towfeeq, 40 years old.
“We all have a message for (US President Donald) Trump… We will always oppose your oppression,” he added.
Not only in Kashmir, protests were also held elsewhere in India. The country has a considerable Shiite Muslim presence.