Thousands of mourners filled the streets of Iraq’s holy city of Najaf on Wednesday as the funeral procession for Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, continued after his coffin crossed into Iraq from Iran.
Crowds lined the procession route carrying portraits of Khamenei and chanting anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans as his coffin was transported through the city on a ceremonial vehicle.
The procession drew supporters from both Iran and Iraq, with Iraqi and Iranian flags displayed alongside banners of Iran-backed Iraqi militia groups, whose members joined the funeral march.
Najaf, one of the holiest cities in Shi’ite Islam and the burial place of Imam Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, holds deep religious significance, making it a symbolic stop in the funeral ceremonies.
Khamenei’s coffin arrived at Najaf International Airport on Tuesday evening, where Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, senior government officials, and prominent religious leaders received the Iranian delegation during an official ceremony.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, accompanied by senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also travelled to Iraq to participate in the funeral events.
The funeral procession is expected to continue to the holy city of Karbala before the coffin is returned to Iran for burial, bringing the multi-day funeral ceremonies to a close.
One important note: if this is intended as a real news article, please verify the claim that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died before publication, as that is an extraordinary factual claim requiring reliable confirmation.
Goodness Anunobi
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