Iraq Prepares for Funeral of Martyred Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei
A Lebanese media outlet has reported that the funeral ceremonies for the martyred Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei will be held in the cities of Najaf and Karbala, expected to be attended by large crowds of people and pilgrims. The newspaper Al-Akhbar described this event as one of the most significant recent developments in the region, noting its political and security dimensions.
According to the report, the Iraqi government has sought to balance diplomatic considerations and its relationships with the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States. The newspaper stated that holding the ceremonies in Iraq is seen as more than just a mourning ritual and could reflect Baghdad’s relations with Tehran and Washington.
While there was initially speculation about a ceremony in Baghdad as well, the event’s media committee announced that due to limited time to complete preparations, the funeral will only take place in Najaf and Karbala. Some sources told Al-Akhbar that security and political considerations also influenced this decision.
The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) command in the Middle Euphrates region announced that 30,000 of its forces will be responsible for securing the funeral and farewell ceremonies for the “Martyr Leader of the Nation” from this morning until the end of the event. According to the command, forces have been deployed along the routes leading to the ceremony locations, with special plans implemented to manage the crowds and maintain security. Iraqi security officials have also confirmed that security forces are on high alert and that necessary plans have been drafted to maintain order.
The report also addressed rumors suggesting Baghdad’s opposition to the presence of certain Iranian military commanders, which have been denied by several Iraqi political leaders. These figures emphasized that Baghdad-Tehran relations have a long history and will not be harmed by such speculation.
