NAJAF, Iraq — Large crowds of mourners gathered in the holy city of Najaf on Wednesday to follow the coffin of the late Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The funeral procession, which saw massive participation within Iran, has now crossed the border into Iraq.
Protesters lining the route carried large portraits of the deceased leader and chanted slogans directed at the United States and Israel as the coffin was transported through the streets on a large vehicle.
The procession featured a sea of Iraqi and Iranian flags, alongside the banners of prominent Iran-backed Iraqi militias whose members participated in the march.
As a central site for Shi’ite Muslims, Najaf carries immense religious weight as the burial location of Imam Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad.
The coffin arrived at Najaf International Airport on Tuesday evening, where it was met with an official reception attended by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, high-ranking government officials, and prominent religious leaders.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are also present to participate in the rites. The procession is scheduled to proceed to the shrine city of Karbala before the remains are returned to Iran for final burial.
