Tens of thousands of people in Lebanon gathered on Friday for mourning ceremonies marking Ashura, the annual Shiite commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the prophet Mohammed, against the backdrop of severe tensions with Israel.
One of the largest Ashura processions in recent years took place along Beirut's old airport road, outside the southern suburbs. Residents said the large turnout was likely boosted by the presence of many people from southern Lebanon currently staying in the capital following months of conflict.
The procession unfolded under the constant buzzing of Israeli drones overhead. Most mourners were dressed in black, the traditional colour of mourning during Ashura, while many men wore green or black headbands bearing the inscription "Ya Hussein."
Numerous participants carried posters of Hezbollah fighters killed during the conflict with Israel, and crowds chanted slogans including, "America, America, you are the Great Satan," and "Death to America, death to Israel."
Ashura is observed as a day of mourning in Shiite Islam, commemorating the killing of Imam Hussein at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. While many believers participate in mourning processions and religious rituals, for others the occasion also serves as a social gathering to mourn loved ones.
Ceremonies outside Beirut
In the southern city of Nabatiyeh, hundreds of supporters of the Amal Movement took part in traditional Ashura rituals, with some participants striking their heads with blades, leaving blood running down their faces as they marched through neighbourhoods still scarred by widespread destruction from the war.
The ceremonies began early in the morning while the sound of Israeli strikes on nearby Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa could be heard in the distance. Similar Ashura processions were held in the southern port city of Tyre.
Addressing the central Ashura gathering in Beirut, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said Hezbollah had defeated what he described as the Israeli-American project and entered a new phase. He praised Iran for standing firm during the conflict and thanked Tehran for its support.
Despite a ceasefire reached earlier this month, tensions between Hezbollah and Israel remain high. Israeli forces continue to carry out military operations in parts of southern Lebanon even as Beirut and Tel Aviv are engaged in indirect negotiations mediated by the United States.
