Extract from ABC News
For the militant group Hezbollah, the Ashura procession was a chance to rally its supporters as the movement faces pressure to surrender its weapons. (ABC News: Cherine Yazbeck)
Beirut's southern suburbs were blanketed in black as tens of thousands of people gathered to mark the largest Ashura procession in the Lebanese capital in years, after months of deadly bombardment by Israel.
A sacred day of mourning for Shiite Muslims, the ceremony was also a display of Hezbollah's force, as the Iranian-backed militant group sought to demonstrate its influence in Lebanon despite mounting pressure for it to disarm.
Residents say the turnout in Beirut was likely bolstered by many displaced people from southern Lebanon. (ABC News: Cherine Yazbeck)
Dressed in black, mourners waved Hezbollah and Iranian flags in the biggest gathering organised by the pro-Iran group, considered a terrorist organisation under Australian law, since the outbreak of the war in March.
Some mourners carried posters of Hezbollah fighters killed during the conflict with Israel, and chanted "America, America, you are the Great Satan" and "Death to America, death to Israel."
Residents said the turnout was likely bolstered by many people from southern Lebanon staying in the capital, after being displaced from their homes because of the ongoing conflict.
Hadi was among the mourners who attended the Ashura procession. (ABC News: Cherine Yazbeck)
Medical student Hadi, 22, told the ABC his family business in Arab Salim in Lebanon's south was destroyed in the recent conflict.
"With each year, this [procession] becomes more important," he said.
"With all the destruction that's happened from the Israelis in Lebanon, it's really important today to show we are not afraid of their tactics and we will be not be intimidated by their continuing campaigns to take the spirit out of our people and out of our resistance."
Many mourners were overcome with emotion, holding their heads in their hands and sobbing as they commemorated the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, who was killed in battle more than 1,300 years ago.
For Shiite Muslims, Ashura commemorates the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. (ABC News: Cherine Yazbeck)
But for Sabah Al Abdallah, whose home town of Khiam is now inside the Israeli "security zone" along the Lebanon border, the holy day was also about remembering her 27-year-old son Mohamad.
He was killed while fighting for Hezbollah this year.
"My son is still missing, his body has not been recovered," Ms Al Abdallah told the ABC.
"He became a martyr for the sake of God … he was killed in southern Lebanon … alongside other men … he was part of the resistance."
The procession was meant to be held in the suburb of Dahieh, a traditional Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut, but was moved to another location nearby over security concerns.
The area has been repeatedly targeted by Israeli strikes during the war, leaving dozens of buildings damaged and many reduced to rubble, prompting fears about the safety of returning crowds.
For Sabah Al Abdallah, the holy day was also about remembering her late son who was killed while fighting for Hezbollah. (ABC News: Cherine Yazbeck)
For Ms Al Abdallah, the pain of losing her son was compounded by the devastation surrounding her.
"Our homes are gone, everything is gone,"she said.
"The destruction [in the war] has left us with nothing."
Ashura, which marks the end of the first 10 days of the Muslim month of Muharram, is also recognised as a symbol of sacrifice and standing against injustice. It is observed with prayers, processions, speeches and rituals of mourning.
"We are in the midst of a battle, we are living Ashura," 35-year-old businessman Hassan told the ABC.
"Despite the anger we feel, the challenges and the danger … we have come from every region to renew our pledge to Imam Hussein … we are standing up to defend this entire country and this whole nation."
Hassan says this year's procession is about standing up for Lebanon. (ABC News: Cherine Yazbeck)
For Hezbollah, Ashura was also a chance to rally its supporters as the movement faces calls to surrender its weapons.
The pressure has intensified since the war with Israel, with Lebanon's government arguing that only the state should control armed forces.
The US and other international partners are also pushing for Hezbollah's weapons to be brought under state control, arguing it is necessary to prevent another war with Israel.
They argued now is the time for Hezbollah to lay down arms, after claiming the group was weakened during the fighting following the loss of senior commanders and military infrastructure, destroyed by Israeli strikes.
Hezbollah rejects those demands and insists its weapons are needed to defend Lebanon, while it believes Israel remains a threat.
"Israel has no option but to withdraw completely from every inch of our Lebanese land … Israel must leave unconditionally," Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said in a televised speech to mark Ashura.
But Israel has said that for security reasons, it intends to maintain a military presence in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed.
Ceasefire brings new pressure on Hezbollah
Ashura comes just days before Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral will be held, after the 86-year-old was killed in an Israeli air strike on the first day of the war between the US, Israel and Iran on February 28.
In a show of support with Iran and to avenge the death of Khamenei, Hezbollah fired on Israel in early March, dragging Lebanon into the broader regional war.
A new ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was announced last week and has largely held since Sunday. (ABC News: Cherine Yazbeck)
Israel responded with air strikes and a ground invasion that the Lebanese Health Ministry says has now killed more than 4,200 people, including hundreds of women and children.
More than one million Lebanese people were also displaced.
Thousands of Israelis from border communities in the north of the country were also forced to flee the area, as Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks continued for months.
The conflict in Lebanon has repeatedly threatened to derail the new 60-day ceasefire deal between the US and Iran to try to bring lasting peace to the region.
Ongoing fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah has angered US President Donald Trump, who had urged Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show restraint in strikes on the country — particularly on Beirut — knowing it could jeopardise the broader peace talks with Iran.
More than one million people have been displaced inside Lebanon. (ABC News: Cherine Yazbeck)
Iran has repeatedly insisted that its deal must include the end to fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon.
A new ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was announced last week and has largely held since Sunday.
Under US pressure, Lebanon and Israel held their fifth round of talks in Washington this week, despite calls from Hezbollah for the Lebanese government to abandon the negotiations.
After four days of discussions, the countries agreed that Israel will conduct a limited withdrawal from two areas in southern Lebanon, transferring the sites to the Lebanese military, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Mr Netanyahu said in a video statement that the Lebanese army would "begin organising to take control of territory", adding the "pilot zones" are areas that the IDF does not need.
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