Najaf, Iraq. Mourners marched through Najaf on Wednesday behind the coffin of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as his six-day funeral procession continued in Iraq after drawing large crowds in Iran. The procession is expected to move on to Karbala before the coffin is returned to Iran for burial.
Procession in Najaf
People carrying large portraits of the late Iranian leader gathered along the route as the coffin was driven through the streets on a large truck. Iraqi and Iranian flags were visible above the crowd, alongside banners of Iran-backed Iraqi militias whose supporters joined the procession.
Chants and participation
Mourners chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” during the march. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also arrived to take part in the procession.
Arrival and significance of Najaf
Khamenei’s coffin arrived on Tuesday evening at Najaf’s international airport, where Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, senior officials and religious figures attended an official reception. Najaf holds special significance for Shi’ite Muslims worldwide as the burial place of Imam Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammad.
