BAGHDAD — Thousands of militiamen and other supporters chanting “America is the Great Satan” marched in a funeral procession in Baghdad for Iran’s top general, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike.
The region braced for Iran to fulfill its vows to avenge the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, but it was unclear when or how it might respond.
Soleimani was killed Friday alongside senior Iraqi militants near Baghdad’s airport. A series of rockets fell inside or near the Green Zone following the day of mourning.
As the region awaits Iran’s response, all eyes are on Iraq, where America and Iran have competed for influence since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.
Mourners surround a car carrying the coffin of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani during a funeral procession, for him and nine others, in Baghdad’s district of al-Jadriya, near the high-security Green Zone, on January 4, 2020. – Thousands of Iraqis chanting “Death to America” joined the funeral procession for Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, both killed in a US air strike. The cortege set off around Kadhimiya, a Shiite pilgrimage district of Baghdad, before heading to the Green Zone government and diplomatic district where a state funeral was to be held attended by top dignitaries. In all, 10 people — five Iraqis and five Iranians — were killed in Friday morning’s US strike on their motorcade just outside Baghdad airport. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images)
