Large-Scale Protests Expected at Soleimani Funeral... Increased Terror Alert in New York, LA, and More

Soleimani Killed in Airstrike at Baghdad Airport
Thousands of Citizens Gather, Chant Anti-US Slogans
US Warns of Iranian Retaliation in Major Cities

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] As major U.S. cities such as New York and Los Angeles (LA) have heightened security in response to potential Iranian terrorism, the funeral of Qasem Soleimani, a key Iranian military figure and commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike at Baghdad Airport on the 3rd (local time), was held on the morning of the 4th in Baghdad.

According to local media, the ceremony also included the funeral of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of the Iraqi Shia militia, who was killed alongside Commander Soleimani in the explosion.

Thousands of Baghdad citizens gathered at the funeral, reportedly chanting anti-American slogans and condemning the United States.

The body of Commander Soleimani is scheduled to be transferred to Iran in the afternoon. The Iranian government has also prepared a large-scale funeral over four days. Considering the Islamic funeral custom of completing burial within a day of death, this is unusually long. Large-scale anti-American protests are also expected to take place in the cities where the funerals are held.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, major U.S. cities have stepped up security in preparation for potential Iranian terrorism.

According to local media such as Bloomberg News, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio held a press conference earlier. Mayor de Blasio stated that the New York Police Department (NYPD) is taking enhanced security measures at key city facilities.

He said, "At this point, there is no specific and credible terrorist threat against New York City," but added, "We are currently facing a potentially different and greater threat than any we have faced in the past." He also claimed, "We are effectively in a state of war between the U.S. and Iran."

LA, which has a large Iranian population, also issued a security alert urging citizens to prepare for terrorist attacks immediately after the airstrike. LA is home to between 300,000 and 500,000 Iranians.

The city authorities requested, "All LA residents should report immediately if they see anything suspicious."

Security experts unanimously agreed that businesses and government agencies should especially strengthen defenses against cyberattacks.

Iran has a history of ordering government-supported hackers to carry out successive Denial of Service (DoS) attacks in response to U.S. sanctions imposed in 2012-2013. These attacks caused major disruptions by paralyzing websites of major banks including Bank of America (BOA) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).