Protests in Baghdad on the anniversary of the assassination of Iranian General Soleimani

A demonstration was held in Baghdad, to commemorate the first anniversary of the assassination of Iranian General Soleimani on January 3, 2020, and to protest against the American presence in the country.

REUTERS - THAIER AL-SUDANI

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

One year ago, to the day, Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was killed by an American drone strike in Iraq.

Thousands of people gathered in Baghdad on Saturday evening and Sunday to pay homage to him, but also to scold the United States.  

Publicity

Read more

Vengeance

 ", " 

We don't want America

 " ... The rallies began on Saturday evening, January 2, near Baghdad airport, a few tens of meters from the place where several missiles fell

. last year

on Qassem Soleimani.

Men, women, children dressed in black, came to meditate there, candle in hand, to honor the one they describe as a martyr slain by the "Great Satan", the enemy to be destroyed: Washington, and its 3,000 soldiers still present on Iraqi soil. 

Protests continued on January 3 in Tahrir Square in central Baghdad, at the call of a powerful pro-Iran militia. 

On the signs: "

 Go out USA

 ",

 “

 The Americans out

 ”.

But also insults targeting Iraqi Prime Minister Moustafa Al-Kazimi, treated as a coward and accused of being at the boot of Donald Trump.

Many in Iraq are wondering if the US president, before handing over power to Joe Biden, will not further escalate tensions through a

new military operation

that could, once again, destabilize the region and put the future US administration in embarrassment. 

► To read also: 

Iran: the assassins of General Soleimani will not be "safe anywhere"

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • Iraq

  • Iran

  • United States