The demonstrations came days after deadly violence at U.S. diplomatic facilities in Karachi and northern Pakistani cities, where at least 23 people were killed in clashes with police following Khamenei’s death. The unrest reflects the deep ties between Pakistan’s Shiite minority and Iran, where Khamenei served as supreme leader since 1989.
Hundreds of Pakistani Shiites staged rallies Friday in Islamabad and other cities to denounce the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes, as the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad issued a security alert urging American citizens to limit their movement outside. About 300 protesters held a sit-in in the capital under heavy police presence, carrying posters of Khamenei and chanting “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”
Pakistani authorities said the demonstrators had agreed not to march toward the U.S. Embassy, located about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from the sit-in. Islamabad police parked shipping containers on roads leading to the embassy to block potential escalation. The protesters planned to end the sit-in later Friday.
Earlier violence left at least 23 dead
The Friday demonstrations came days after deadly clashes at U.S. diplomatic facilities in Karachi and in northern cities. Hundreds of Shiites stormed the U.S. Consulate in Karachi on Sunday, smashing windows and attempting to set the building on fire. Police used batons, tear gas, and live fire to disperse the crowd. The violence left 10 protesters dead in Karachi. At least 13 others were killed in protests in northern cities, including Skardu and Gilgit.
In Karachi on Friday, Shiite protesters gathered about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the consulate, where security had been reinforced following Sunday’s attack.
Smaller groups of Sunni protesters also rallied in Islamabad and Karachi on Friday against the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Those demonstrations were held far from U.S. diplomatic missions, and no violence was reported.
Embassy alerts Americans
Ahead of the demonstrations, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad urged Americans in Pakistan to limit their movement outside. An updated travel advisory also warned American citizens against travel to the country’s southwestern Balochistan province, northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir due to risks of “terrorism and kidnapping.”
Background
Khamenei, who ruled Iran since 1989, was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli operation at the start of the war last week, according to the Associated Press. His death sparked outrage among Shiite communities worldwide. Shiites make up roughly 15% of Pakistan’s population of about 250 million, the majority of whom are Sunni Muslims.