Hundreds rally in Wasit to protest killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader

WASIT — Hundreds of residents gathered Sunday evening in Suwaira, north of Wasit Governorate, holding a symbolic coffin and marching around Al-Muhandis Square with Iraqi armed faction flags to protest the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Participants described the gathering as a protest condemning the attacks on Iran. Attendees included local officials and community members.

Iranian state television officially announced the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, earlier on Sunday. Khamenei had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989.

Ali Al-Shammari, a member of the Wasit Provincial Council, told 964media, “Today this protest stand is the least we can offer for this figure who defended the doctrine and the sect. God willing, we will continue defending the doctrine and the sect. This is a great loss, and we cannot offer more than these words in this tragedy.”

Sheikh Mohammed Al-Kalabi, director of Al-Sibtain Religious School, told 964media, “This tragedy was committed by forces of evil and darkness, America and Israel, as they killed the leaders. Revolutions do not end with the killing of leaders, and taking revenge has become an obligation upon us all.”

Muheeb Al-Bayati, a resident of Suwaira, told 964media, “This is not the last revolution and not the end. If it were the end, it would have been the end of the revolution of Imam Hussein, peace be upon him. God willing, we remain committed to the pledge.”

The Iraqi government separately declared three days of nationwide mourning and renewed its call for an immediate and unconditional halt to military operations in the region.