Protests erupted Sunday evening in Baghdad's Green Zone against the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran which led to the killing of Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, and several senior officials besides massive civilian casualties.
Security was visibly tightened around the heavily fortified district, which houses the U.S. diplomatic mission. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered along a main artery leading into the zone, chanting slogans and condemning the U.S.-Israeli attacks against Iran and killing of Khamenei.
"We condemn this criminal act against Khamenei. These actions by the U.S. and Israeli forces, which are seen as global forces of arrogance, will be met with a response stronger than the act itself," said protester Musa Amer.
"We condemn American aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran and the operation that led to the death of Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic resistance. We condemn and stand firmly against this aggression," said Abbas Mohammad, another protester.
"We are a free people and we do not want them in Iraq. This embassy symbolizes evil, murder and destruction. It is an embassy of blood and sabotage. We reject its presence in our country," said protester Abu Al-Ashtar Al-Maliki.
The Iraqi government deployed security forces and sealed off roads leading to the U.S. embassy right after the protests broke out.
On the same day, the Iraqi government denounced the killing of Iran's supreme leader as a flagrant act of aggression that violates international law and conventions.
Protests burst out in Baghdad against US-Israeli strikes on Iran
