Thousands March In Baghdad To Mark Anniversary Of Soleimani Death

Thousands of protestors have marched through the streets of Baghdad to mark one year since Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike.

A mock funeral procession was also held in the Iraqi capital, on the road leading to Baghdad airport where Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis died.

Iran retaliated in the aftermath of their deaths, and there are fears the anniversary could provoke further tension.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei recently met members of the Soleimani family and repeated his promise of revenge against the United States.

The aftermath of the drone strike led to the deterioration of relations between the West and Iran.

A few days after Soleimani’s death, two military bases in Iraq for British and American troops were targeted by air strikes.

A total of 15 missiles were fired, according to US officials, with 10 hitting Al Asad airbase and one striking a base in Erbil. The US said more than 60 people had been injured during the strikes.

On Soleimani’s birthday in March, Iraqi militias – believed to be backed by Iran – launched rocket attacks on Camp Taji.

The strikes killed three coalition personnel, including Lance Corporal Brodie Gillon – a reservist serving with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry.  

Cover image: General Qassem Soleimani (Picture: PA).