29 Dec 2024 | 10:38 PM UTC
Iraq: Demonstrations marking Major General Qassem Soleimani's death likely in Baghdad through mid-January
Protests marking Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani's death likely through mid-January in Baghdad, Iraq. Increased security likely.
Demonstrations and large political rallies commemorating the fourth anniversary of the deaths of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani and prominent Iraqi Shi’a militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis are likely in Baghdad through mid-January. Soleimani and al-Muhandis were killed near Baghdad International Airport (BGW) in a US drone strike on Jan. 3, 2020.
In previous years, thousands of people have participated in protests and rallies in Baghdad. These events, likely organized by the Popular Mobilization Units (PMUs), will have a strong anti-US focus, with participants likely calling for the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.
Key protest sites include the International (Green) Zone, public squares, government buildings, foreign diplomatic missions, and other prominent locations. Vigils and rallies near the site of the attack are also likely, prompting road closures and disruptions to transport and businesses. Iraqi security forces will likely be deployed to monitor these events.
Avoid all demonstrations due to possible clashes. Exercise caution near gatherings. Immediately leave the area and shelter in a secure, nongovernment 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. Do not attempt to photograph or take a video of demonstrations. 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.
