Protesters in Iraq have set fire to the Iranian consulate in the city of Karbala following the killing of prominent activist Ihab al-Wazni. Demonstrators have accused Iranian-backed militias of his murder.
A prominent anti-government activist, Al-Wazni has been a vocal critic of Iranian influence in Iraq. He survived an assassination attempt during violent anti-government protests in 2019, but was killed by an unknown gunman on Sunday morning outside his home in the city of Karbala.
Local authorities have vowed to find and bring Al-Wazni's killer to justice, but activists have already blamed Iranian militia groups for the killing.
Protesters in Karbala attacked the Iranian consulate during the 2019 protests and returned to the streets within hours of Al-Wazni's death on Sunday.
Video footage shows an angry crowd blocking roads and setting fires. A building, said to be the Iranian consulate, is seen surrounded by protesters with its perimeter wall smashed and ablaze.
