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3. Iraqi Protesters Attempt to Storm Baghdad’s Green Zone

Iraqi protesters attempted to storm the U.S. Embassy Compound in the Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq, according to Al Jazeera.

The demonstrations led to clashes with Iraqi security forces—reportedly deployed in large numbers as tensions escalated—as they tried to enter into the heavily defended Green Zone.

This round of protests in Baghdad are in response to the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike. 

Iraqi leaders part of the Shi’ite and Iranian-aligned Coordination Framework mourned Khamenei after he was found dead. A statement from the alliance expressed that his “blood will remain a guiding light for all generations.” Moqtada al-Sadr, an influential Shi’ite cleric, also expressed condolences and declared a three-day mourning period.

Large crowds are shown to have blocked roads leading to the security perimeter of the Green Zone.

Footage of the demonstrations reportedly show protesters throwing rocks at security forces, triggering the use of tear gas as a response, according to AFP.

A source told AFP that ​​"Their attempts had been thwarted so far, but they keep trying.”

As Iran strikes sites in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, Iraq finds itself entangled in the larger conflict unfolding in the region.