Karachi (AFP) – Pro-Iranian protesters angered by the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei tried to storm the US consulate in Pakistan’s Karachi on Sunday, resulting in eight deaths. The protests extended to the fortified Green Zone hosting Washington’s embassy in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. Iranian state media confirmed Khamenei’s death, who had been the supreme leader since 1989 and was a sworn enemy of the West, on Sunday after the opening salvo of a massive US and Israeli attack.
In the Pakistani megacity of Karachi, hundreds of pro-Iranian protesters attempted to enter the US mission, as observed by an AFP journalist. At least eight people were killed, and at least 20 were injured, according to Muhammad Amin, a spokesman for the Edhi Foundation rescue service, who noted that most of the injuries were due to bullet wounds. A crowd of young protesters climbed over the main gate, gaining access to the driveway of the consular building and smashing some windows. Police responded by firing tear gas, which caused the protesters to disperse. Videos on social media showed young individuals breaking the windows of the main building, with the American flag visible flying over the compound, whose perimeter is topped with barbed wire.
Additionally, thousands of people took to the streets in the eastern city of Lahore and in northern Skardu, with a demonstration expected in the afternoon near the diplomatic enclave housing the US embassy in the capital, Islamabad.
In Baghdad, hundreds of Iraqis, many dressed in black, attempted to storm the American embassy compound on Sunday despite a heavy security presence. A masked protester, named Ali, told AFP, “the martyrdom of Sayyed Ali Khamenei has hurt us.” He added, “We are here because we want the withdrawal of the occupying American forces from Iraq,” referring to US-led coalition troops, who have recently reduced their presence and are now mainly stationed in northern Iraq. Protesters had gathered in the Iraqi capital since early Sunday, hurling stones at security forces, who responded with tear gas. A security source reported to AFP that “their attempts have been thwarted so far, but they keep trying.”
In Indian-administered Kashmir, several thousand Shia Muslims participated in street demonstrations in the main city, Srinagar. Protesters held red, black, and yellow flags as they converged on the main square. Many chanted anti-Israel and anti-US slogans during the emotionally charged but largely peaceful gathering. “This day we are all very heavy-hearted. We are mourning our beloved leader who was martyred,” Syed Towfeeq, 40, told AFP. “We all have a message for the (US President Donald) Trump… We will always stand against your oppression.” Similar protests occurred in other places across Kashmir and other parts of India with a sizeable Shia Muslim presence.
© 2024 AFP
