Iraqi people mark first martyrdom anniversary of anti-terror commanders

The Saturday rally, which was held in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, was attended by dozens of Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), better known as Hashd al-Sha’abi, and their supporters.

Iraq’s Shafaq News reported that military vehicles and ambulances were accompanying the demonstrators in support for their protest.

The Iraqi police also closed all the streets leading to the place where protesters from various parts of the capital had gathered together.

US terrorists assassinated IRGC Quds Force Commander General Soleimani and PMU Deputy Commander Muhandis along with their companions, by targeting their vehicles outside the Baghdad airport on January 3.

The act of terror was carried out under the direction of the outgoing White House occupant, with the US Defense Department, the Pentagon, taking responsibility for the strike.

Both distinguished commanders were viewed by the world's freedom-seeking people as the key figures in defeating Daesh, the world’s most notorious terrorist group, in the Middle East battles.

Several million people attended the funeral processions held for the commanders in the Iraqi cities of Kadhimiya, Baghdad, Karbala and Najaf as well as the Iranian cities of Ahvaz, Mashhad, Tehran, Qom and Kerman.

The US assassination of General Soleimani and Muhandis drew a wave of condemnation from officials and movements across the world, and triggered furious public protests in denunciation of the heinous act.

The IRGC fired volleys of ballistic missiles at two US bases in Iraq on January 8. According to the US Defense Department, more than 100 American forces suffered “traumatic brain injuries” during the counterstrikes. The Corps, however, says Washington uses the term to mask the number of the Americans, who perished during the retaliation.