Dozens gather in Niagara Square overnight in support of airstrike that killed Iranian general

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW/AP) — Iraqi-Americans living in Western New York gathered in Niagara Square late Thursday night in support of an airstrike that killed an Iranian general .

Iran has vowed a "harsh" response for the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force and the architect of its interventions across the Middle East.

The killing, and any forceful retaliation by Iran, could ignite a conflict that engulfs the whole region, endangering U.S. troops in Iraq, Syria and beyond. The U.S. ordered its citizens to leave Iraq and closed the embassy in Baghdad. The airstrike follows two days of attacks on the embassy.

But the Iraqi-Americans who rallied in Niagara Square said they were elated by the general's death.

"We are so proud of what the United States did," said Alia Alshammary. "And we are so happy because this guy killed a lot of Iraqi people. He's the only reason for what's going on in Iraq."

Those who came out chanted and honked their horns to show support.

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https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/dozens-gather-in-niagara-square-overnight-in-support-of-airstrike-that-killed-iranian-general