Iranian consulates torched in Najaf and Karbala
Protesters attacked the Iranian consulates in the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala over the past month, yet officials deny that protesters are anti-Iran.
![IRAQ-PROTESTS/ A view of the Iranian consulate after Iraqi demonstrators stormed and set fire to the building during ongoing anti-government protests in Najaf, Iraq November 28, 2019. REUTERS/Alaa al-Marjani - RC27KD96TF4I](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2019/12/RTX7AUKQ1.jpg/RTX7AUKQ1.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=dlkNVxyZ)
KARBALA, Iraq — Protesters have reportedly attempted to burn down the Iranian consulates in both of Iraq's holy cities, Najaf and Karbala, over the past month, with the consulate in Najaf torched twice in a single week.
The attacks in Najaf took place Nov. 27 and Dec. 1, two days after the Iraqi prime minister offered to resign following Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani’s Friday sermon in the city.