Thousands of Iranians gathered in Kerman on January 3 to commemorate the 2020 death of General Qassem Soleimani, the country’s former top commander who was killed in a U.S. drone attack. The solemn ceremony turned tragic when a pair of explosions near Soleimani’s burial site claimed the lives of nearly 100 people and wounded many more, according to Iranian officials.
The Islamic State group (IS) claimed responsibility for the bombings on January 4, stating that two suicide attackers carried out the blasts. These attacks are among the deadliest Iran has faced in decades, casting a shadow over the nation’s efforts to honor a figure regarded by many as a national hero.
In the aftermath, CGTN Stringer spoke with residents of Kerman who are grappling with shock and grief. One resident recounted arriving at the scene shortly after the explosions. “I immediately started crying,” he said. “Why would they bomb innocent people? This is outrageous.”
The attacks have been widely condemned across Iran, with citizens expressing outrage and sorrow. As the nation mourns, calls for unity against extremism grow louder, highlighting the resilience of the Iranian people in the face of tragedy.
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Iranian people gather to mourn late commander despite terror attacks
cgtn.com
