31 Dec 2024 | 03:30 PM UTC
Iran: Demonstrations marking Major General Qassem Soleimani's death likely in Tehran and Kerman through mid-January /update 1
Protests marking Major General Qassem Soleimani's death likely through mid-January in Tehran and Kerman, Iran. Increased security likely.
Demonstrations and large political rallies commemorating the fifth anniversary of the death of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani are likely in Tehran and Kerman, the city where he is buried, through mid-January. Soleimani was killed near Baghdad International Airport (BGW) in a US drone strike on Jan. 3, 2020.
Several demonstrations and commemorations have been announced:
Dec. 31: Event near the Holy Shrine of Imam Khomeini, Tehran. The ceremony will also honor individuals killed in the Israel-Hizballah conflict.
Jan. 1: Ceremony at the Institute for Political and International Studies, Tehran. The ceremony will also commemorate victims of the Jan. 3, 2024, terrorist attack in Kerman, which killed 94 people during a commemoration near Soleimani's burial site in Kerman. The event will be hosted by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
From Jan. 11-17: Events in the province of Kerman. there will be a week of commemorations called "Resistance Week" to honor Soleimani.
Jan. 12: A eulogy ceremony will occur at Kerman's Martyrs cemetery.
Additional demonstrations and commemorations could occur through mid-January. Increased security is likely as previous commemorations have been the target of militant attacks. Associated localized transport disruptions are likely in the affected areas.
Avoid all demonstrations due to possible clashes. Exercise caution near gatherings. Immediately leave the area and shelter in a secure, non-government building if violence erupts. Monitor local media for details concerning protest activity, as organizers may not announce plans in advance. Ensure sufficient time to travel in the affected areas. Confirm the availability of transportation; allow additional time to reach destinations. Plan for increased security and localized transport disruptions near demonstrations. Follow all police instructions. Always carry proper identification; be polite and nonconfrontational if stopped at a security checkpoint or questioned by police.
Soleimani was the commander of the Quds Force, the external operations arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which conducts special and clandestine missions outside Iran. Widely regarded as Iran's most formidable military leader, Soleimani played a key role in orchestrating Iran's activities in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. The US government justified his killing by asserting he was planning additional attacks on American assets in Iraq and the broader region.
On Jan. 3, 2024, the Islamic State (IS) militant group claimed responsibility for the twin bombings in Kerman Province, which killed 94 people. The blasts occurred near Soleimani's burial site in Kerman Martyrs' Cemetery. The explosions occurred as thousands of mourners had gathered to pay their respects on the fourth anniversary of Soleimani's death.
