Iraqis express joy and fear at news

In Iraq, Azhar al-Rubaie is speaking to Iraqis who are both happy to hear of Soleimani’s death and wary of its consequences.

For Mohammed al-Alwan, a 24-year-old from Basra, Soleimani’s assassination is “not only a victory for Iraqis, but also for the international community”.

“I was so happy when I heard that the world's biggest criminal had been killed, as he killed many Iraqis once he intervened Iraq’s affairs and sent his militias to the country,” Alwan says.

Alwan says he feels the same way about Soleimani’s death as he did when he heard Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had been killed. But, he warns, Soleimani’s death will not end Iranian influence in Iraq.

“We also have to get rid of his hands in Iraq. If we do not, they will grow and replace him with a new figure to continue Soleimani’s objectives in the country,” he says.

Another Basra-based Iraqi, Haider Laith, says: “I have two moods, I am happy and sad at the same time.”

“Firstly, I am happy that we are taking our first steps towards curbing Iranian influence in Iraq. Secondly, I am sad that Iran will respond to the US in Iraq, and use it as a war and conflict zone again,” the 22-year-old says.

Laith, like hundreds of thousands of other Iraqis, has for months been in the streets protesting against the government, corruption and Iranian influence. Several hundreds of protesters have been killed in a crackdown by Iran-backed militias and Iraqi security forces.

“Iran also will try to take revenge upon the protesters, who were happy after receiving the news on this historic day.”