A large crowd of Iranians took to the streets of Tehran on Friday to mark the International Quds Day, an annual event expressing support for Palestinians and condemnation of Israeli actions.
The event, established by Iran in 1979, is observed on the final Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan. This year, it fell on March 13 and amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran.
Many participants felt the gathering this year carried a broader significance -- representing not only solidarity with the Palestinian cause, but also a reflection of their own national identity amid rising regional tensions.
"This year we're seeing a lot of people here. I have come a long way. What are the sins of these people being killed? We should be all present and support the oppressed," said Zeinab, a participant.
"I have come here to just say to the United States that there is nothing you can do to us. Our Supreme Leader is dead, but his son is here and we stand firmly behind them, even behind his son's son," said Tahere, a Tehran resident.
Many families, students and workers joined the marches, waving Iranian and Palestinian flags, as participants said the situation has strengthened unity at home.
"I have come here both for Palestine and for my country, and I have come here to say that we are Iranians and no one can invade our country," said Behrooz, a resident.
"This is my first time here and I want to say that although Imam Khamenei was killed, there are thousands of others like him and we will stand behind Mojtaba Khamenei forever," said Mehri, another resident.
Iranians hold mass rallies to mark Al Quds Day amid US-Israeli attacks
Iranians hold mass rallies to mark Al Quds Day amid US-Israeli attacks
Pakistani warplanes struck several locations across Afghanistan on Thursday night and Friday, killing at least six people, including a woman and a child, and wounding more than a dozen others, local officials said.
The strikes hit a fuel depot near the country's Kandahar Airport, areas in the capital Kabul, and the eastern Nangarhar Province.
A Pakistani security source said the strikes targeted hideouts belonging to the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
In Kabul's 21st police district, one of the areas hit, a market was left in ruins. Several cars were destroyed, and windows of buildings in the market and nearby areas were shattered. A crater caused by the Pakistani airstrikes was also visible.
"This is my car. I had parked it here, and it was the only way I could bring food to my family's table. It was my sole source of income and my only means of employment. Now my car is in this condition, and I have no other way to provide for my family," said Mohamad Ghulam, a taxi driver.
The airstrikes destroyed a house, killing four members of a single family. More than a dozen other households in the area reported their homes either fully or partially destroyed.
One of the victims was 22-year-old Hedayatullah, who had just been married. He was killed alongside his pregnant wife, as well as his brother and sister.
"Hedayatullah got married nine months ago. His brother was 18 years old. He himself was 22 years old, he also had a 12-year-old sister, and his wife was about 19 years old and was pregnant," said Ghulam Sakhi, a relative of the victims.
"This neighbor of ours was a family of five. Their mother was not present at the moment of the bombardment, but the rest of them lost their lives. It was Hedayatuallah's family. From my own family, two of my daughters, my sister-in-law, my brother, and two nieces got injured," said Mohamad Homayoun, a survivor.
In the past weeks, scores of people from both sides have been killed or injured in the conflict between Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan, according to officials from the two countries.
The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has called for an immediate halt to cross-border clashes, warning that the escalating violence is driving a surge in civilian casualties and deepening a humanitarian crisis.
At least 6 killed, more than a dozen wounded in Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan: officials
