U.S. Marines Open Fire at Karachi Consulate Amid Iran-Related Protests
WASHINGTON, March 2 (Reuters) – U.S. Marines fired on demonstrators during the storming of the Karachi consulate over the weekend, according to two U.S. officials on Monday. This rare use of force at a diplomatic post could sharply escalate tensions in Pakistan amid widespread protests following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Deadly Clashes and Conflicting Details
Ten people were killed on Sunday when protesters breached the compound's outer wall after Khamenei died in strikes on Iran. Citing initial information, the two U.S. officials said it was unclear whether rounds fired by Marines struck or killed anyone. They also did not know whether shots were fired by others protecting the mission, including private security guards and local police.
This marks the first confirmation by U.S. officials that Marines were involved in firing at the protesters. A provincial government spokesman, Sukhdev Assardas Hemnani, stated that "security" personnel had opened fire without specifying their affiliation.
Escalating Security Measures and Protests
Daily security operations at U.S. diplomatic missions are often carried out by private contractors and local forces. The involvement of Marines in this incident underscores how seriously the consulate viewed the threat. Pakistan, home to the world's second-largest Shi'ite community after Iran, banned large gatherings nationwide on Monday after protests spread, with 26 people reported dead across the country.
Protesters on Sunday chanted "Death to America! Death to Israel!" outside the consulate, where Reuters reporters heard gunfire and saw tear gas fired in surrounding streets. Video on social media appeared to show at least one protester firing a weapon toward the consulate and bloodied demonstrators fleeing as shots rang out.
Official Responses and Ongoing Tensions
A Karachi police official told Reuters that the shots were fired from inside the consulate premises. The U.S. Marines referred questions to the U.S. military, which in turn referred questions to the State Department. The State Department did not respond to a request for comment.
Shi'ite community leaders have called for more protests in Lahore and Karachi despite the nationwide ban on public gatherings. Roads leading to the U.S. consulate in Karachi were blocked off with a heavy police presence, with similar measures in place around U.S. missions in Lahore and Islamabad.
The U.S. embassy in Pakistan is located in the capital, Islamabad, with additional consulates in Peshawar and Lahore. The situation remains fluid as authorities and diplomatic officials assess the fallout from this unprecedented incident.
