More than 100 people were killed at an event honoring former Iranian General Qassem Soleimani on Wednesday in what local authorities called a “terrorist” attack.
Thousands of Iranians had gathered at Soleimani’s tomb in Kerman to mark the fourth anniversary of his death, carrying pictures of the former head of the Revolutionary Guard’s elite Quds Force, when authorities said two bombs exploded.
The first blast occurred just 700 meters from Soleimani’s grave, while the second blast was one kilometer away, Iranian national media reported.
Video graphics shared online then shows people fleeing as emergency crews respond, with bodies lying on the ground.
The footage suggests that the second blast occurred about 15 minutes after the first — a tactic often used by terrorist groups to target emergency responders and increase the death toll.
The two bombs were reportedly placed in suitcases and detonated remotely.
An explosion at an event honoring a prominent Iranian general killed in a US airstrike in 2020 has killed at least 103 people and injured 170 others, state media in Iran reported Wednesday. AP
“The explosion was caused by a terrorist attack,” a local official said. “Several gas canisters exploded on the road leading to the cemetery.”
The death toll from the explosion rose quickly on Wednesday morning, with the head of Kerman’s emergency services telling state media that it was at 103 as of 10 a.m. EST.
A total of 141 people were injured, he said.
The explosion hit an event marking the fourth anniversary of the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani. IRAN PRESS/AFP via Getty Images Iran has a variety of enemies who may be behind the attack, including exile groups, militant organizations and state actors. AHBAR IRAN/AFP via Getty Images
Following the apparent attack, the head of Iran’s judiciary, Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, said the perpetrators would be found and punished.
“The agents and perpetrators of this serious crime will definitely be punished,” said Mohseni-Ejei in a statement, according to Al-Jazeera.
“Responsible intelligence, security and law enforcement agencies are responsible for immediately pursuing all evidence and perpetrators and handing them over to the judiciary.”
Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guard. died in a US drone strike in Iraq in January 2020. IRAQ ARMY/AFP via Getty Images Footage suggests that the second blast occurred about 15 minutes after the first. MEHR NEWS/AFP via Getty Images
No group claimed responsibility for the attack.
But Iran has many enemies that may be behind it, including exile groups, militant organizations and state actors.
The country has provided financial support to Hamas, as well as Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi rebels — all of whom are fighting Israel.
The explosion occurred near his grave in Kerman, about 820 kilometers (510 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran. Anadolu via Getty Images People can be heard screaming in state TV footage. via REUTERS
Israel has in the past been accused of drone strikes on Iranian military facilities, and Sunni terrorist groups, such as ISIS, have carried out bombings of civilian targets in the Shiite-majority country.
Who is Soleimani?
Qassem Soleimani is considered a national hero among supporters of Iran’s theocracy, but is also seen as a threat to American interests after he helped armed terrorists with roadside bombs that killed and maimed US soldiers.
Soleimani is the architect of Iran’s regional military activities and is hailed as a national icon among supporters of Iran’s theocracy. ISNA/AFP via Getty Images Soleimani’s death has drawn large marches in the past. AHBAR IRAN/AFP via Getty Images
He helped secure the victory of Syrian President Bashar Assad after the 2011 Arab Spring protests against him turned into civil war.
In 2020, the US under President Donald Trump killed the general in a drone strike.
“If we get word of an attack, we will take early action as well to protect American troops, protect American lives. The game has changed,” Defense Secretary Mark Esper said after the attack.
He also said in a statement that Soleimani “is actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.”
“This strike is intended to deter future Iranian attack plans,” Esper added.
The blast hit an event marking the fourth anniversary of the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani (left of the mural), head of the Revolutionary Guard’s elite Quds Force. AP
But Soleimani’s death has sparked widespread backlash and protests against the United States ever since.
At his funeral in 2020, a stampede broke out and at least 56 people were killed and over 200 injured.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
