Kerman: In a devastating turn of events, at least 73 people lost their lives in Iran as two consecutive bomb explosions rocked a gathering commemorating the late General Qasem Soleimani. The solemn occasion, marking the fourth anniversary of Soleimanis death in a US drone strike, took a tragic turn as explosions erupted near the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque in Kerman, the revered military figures hometown and final resting place.Details of the incidentThe twin blast occurred at the Kermans Saheb al-Zaman Mosque in Iran. People were gathered at the spot for commemorating the death anniversary of General Qasem Soleimani. The nature of the attack has been identified as terrorist bombings and it has ledt 73 dead and 170 wounded as per the statistics so far.First scenes from #Iran 🇮🇷 following mysterious explosions near Qassem #Soleimanis grave#Death TOLL INCREASES TO 103 KILLED 141 INJURED pic.twitter.com/4AQJgBpUW2— Hollow dreams (@ChrisKolen001) January 3, 2024What happened during the commmemoration ceremonyThe explosions occurred as supporters gathered to pay tribute to Soleimani, who led the Quds Force, Irans Revolutionary Guards Corps foreign operations arm. The deputy governor of Kerman labelled the incident a terrorist attack, denoting the severity of the situation. According to reports, two explosive-laden bags were detonated remotely, causing chaos and panic among the assembled crowd.‼️‼️ 🇮🇷 TERROR ATTACK IN #IRAN: 71 killed, 100+ injured in massive blast targeting ceremony mourning 4th anniversary of IRGCs #Soleimanis assassinationAt least 2 loud explosions, 10 minutes apart leave Islamic Republic shaken. pic.twitter.com/BrOGWY8ddR— Intel Republic (@IntelRepublic) January 3, 2024Blast leads to a scene of chaosThe aftermath depicted a scene of chaos, with crowds desperately fleeing the area while security personnel swiftly cordoned it off. State television broadcasted images of ambulances and rescue teams responding to the emergency. The tragedy unfolded against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Middle East, intensified by the recent drone strike in Beirut that claimed the life of Hamas official Saleh al-Aruri, an ally of Iran.Who is Qasem SoleimaniSoleimani, declared a living martyr by Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, wielded significant influence over Irans military strategy in the region. Despite being a formidable adversary to the US and its allies, Soleimani earned widespread popularity in Iran for his role in countering the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. His death in 2020 drew massive crowds mourning his loss, reflecting his stature in the nation.The dual bombings in Kerman cast a shadow over the anniversary proceedings, turning a solemn remembrance into a tragic event. As Iran grapples with the aftermath, questions linger about the perpetrators and the broader implications for regional stability. The incident adds another layer of complexity to the already tense geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.
