By Micah Jonah, March 3, 2026
United States Marines opened fire on demonstrators who stormed the US Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, over the weekend, in what officials described as a rare use of force at an American diplomatic mission.
Two US officials confirmed that Marines discharged their weapons after protesters breached the compound’s outer wall on Sunday. The unrest followed the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in strikes on Iran, an event that has triggered widespread protests across Pakistan.
Ten people were reported killed during the violence, though it remains unclear whether any were struck by rounds fired by the Marines. Officials said investigations are ongoing to determine who fired the fatal shots and whether private security personnel or local police also opened fire.
A provincial government spokesman confirmed that “security personnel” fired shots but did not specify which agency was responsible. A Karachi police official told reporters that gunfire came from inside the consulate premises.
Pakistan, home to one of the world’s largest Shiite populations, has seen protests spread to multiple cities. Authorities have imposed a nationwide ban on large gatherings after at least 26 people were reported dead in related unrest across the country. Demonstrators were heard chanting anti American and anti Israel slogans outside the consulate, while videos circulating online showed chaotic scenes including tear gas and gunfire.
The US Embassy in Islamabad and additional consulates in Lahore and Peshawar have tightened security, with roads blocked and heavy police deployment around diplomatic compounds.
The US State Department has not issued a detailed statement on the incident. The involvement of Marines highlights the seriousness of the threat faced by the consulate and could further strain tensions amid the wider regional conflict.
