Shia community protests in Kargil supporting Khamenei against US and Israel

Members of the Shia community on Wednesday staged massive protests in the Shia-majority Kargil district of Ladakh, expressing strong support for Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and solidarity with the Iranian regime. They also raised slogans against US President Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing them of pursuing hostile approaches toward Iran and the broader Muslim world.

Large crowds gathered at key locations across the district, waving banners and placards in praise of Iran’s leadership. Protesters said the demonstration was meant to convey unity with the Iranian people and to reaffirm ideological and religious bonds shared with Iran’s Shia leadership.

Alongside messages of support, protesters also raised slogans criticising the policies of the United States and Israel. They specifically targeted US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing them of pursuing hostile approaches toward Iran and the broader Muslim world.

Local community leaders who addressed the gathering said the protest was peaceful and aimed at voicing collective sentiment. “Our demonstration reflects solidarity with those we consider our religious and moral leadership. It is a peaceful expression of opinion,” said one of the organisers.

Security arrangements were put in place to ensure that the protests remained orderly, and officials reported no incidents of violence.

The protest in Kargil comes amid heightened regional and international tensions involving Iran, with expressions of support and opposition emerging from different parts of the world. The political turmoil in Iran has escalated as the protests against the Khamenei government entered 20th day. The nationwide protests, which started over double-digit inflation and the continuous devaluation of the Iranian currency, has so far claimed about 2,500 lives.

US President Donald Trump called upon protesters to take over their institutions, urging them not to back down and saying help for them was on the way. The Trump administration also advised some personnel to evacuate the US-run Al Udeid Air Base as a precautionary measure after Iran issued a stark warning to neighbouring countries hosting US military bases and threatened to strike American installations if Washington launches an attack on Iranian territory.

- Ends