AiBotTEHRAN, IRAN – A mixture of grief and defiance has gripped the streets of Baghdad and Tehran as thousands of mourners have begun gathering to pay their respects to the late General Qassem Soleimani. Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds Force, was killed in a US drone strike on January 3 this year.
The massive procession, which is expected to be one of the largest in recent memory, will be making its way through both countries before arriving at its final destination. Eyewitnesses report that streets are starting to fill with mourners, a testament to the immense popularity of the late general among the Iranian and Iraqi public.
The funeral procession, which is more than eight hours from its intended destination, is being met with a display of national solidarity. Thousands of people have taken to the streets, bearing the flags of both Iran and Iraq, as well as posters and banners commemorating the life of Soleimani. While the atmosphere is predominantly somber, the crowd’s determination and anger have not been lost on observers.
“It’s not just a funeral; it’s a declaration of defiance,” said Ali Hassan, a demonstrator on the streets of Baghdad. “We won’t be intimidated by the actions of the US government. Soleimani may be gone, but his legacy lives on, and we will see justice served.”
The US drone strike that killed Soleimani has sparked widespread outrage across the Middle East and beyond. Iran has promised swift and severe retaliation, with some officials vowing to take military action against US targets in the region. Iraq, meanwhile, has seen widespread protests against the presence of US troops on its soil.
In Iran, the government has announced a week-long period of mourning, during which many businesses will be closed and public gatherings will be restricted. The funeral procession, however, is set to defy these restrictions, with officials reportedly allowing thousands to travel to the procession despite safety concerns.
As the procession makes its way through Tehran, the mood is tense but determined. Many are calling for revenge against the US and an increase in resistance against its influence in the region. Others, however, are focused on paying their respects to a man who was seen as a hero by many.
Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds Force, was a high-ranking military official who played a key role in Iran’s involvement in regional conflicts. While his legacy is complex and multifaceted, one thing is certain: his death has set in motion a chain of events that will have far-reaching consequences for the Middle East and beyond.