Shafaq News-Najaf
More than twomillion mourners have gathered in the Iraqi city of Najaf to participate infuneral processions for Iran's slain supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,according to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) media directorate.
Participantscontinued to arrive throughout Wednesday as more than 25,000 security personnelwere deployed.
The funeralprocessions, which began in the morning, drew crowds described by participantsas the Ashura and Arbaeen gatherings when millions of Shia muslims flocked tothe streets in Najaf and Karbala mourning Imam Hussein bin Ali, the third ShiaImam.
Saad Maan, headof the Security Media Cell, confirmed that the mourners had coveredapproximately 1.5 kilometers since the procession began, adding that securityand intelligence forces are closely monitoring the funeral procession in theholy city.
Followingceremonies in Najaf, the body was scheduled to be transferred to the nearbycity of Karbala for additional funeral rites, where between six and sevenmillion mourners are expected to take part in the funeral procession, according to securityofficials.