UK: Anti-war demonstration planned in London January 11

Event

Activist groups have called for a demonstration to take place in London on Saturday, January 11, to advocate for de-escalation in the Middle East. Participants will gather outside of the BBC Broadcasting House on Portland Place at 12:00 (local time) and march to Trafalgar Square.

A heightened security presence and transportation disruptions, such as road closures, are expected in the vicinity of any demonstration sites.

Context

The US Department of Defense released a statement on January 3 claiming responsibility for an airstrike targeting and killing Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's Quds Force, near Baghdad International Airport (BGW) the same day. According to the statement, Soleimani was "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region." Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), was also killed in the strike along with six other individuals. Iranian forces have since retaliated by sending "tens" of missiles to two US bases in Iraq.

Advice

Individuals in London are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all demonstrations as a precaution, anticipate a heightened security presence and associated transportation disruptions, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.