Violence on Rise in Iraq Ahead of Ashura

A bombing attack has killed two civilians in Iraq as violence picks up amid mourning ceremonies marking the martyrdom anniversary of the third Shiaa Imam Hussein (PBUH).

The bombing attack on Sunday targeted a mourning procession in the eastern province of Diyala, which killed the leader of the mourners and his son and left three others wounded in, Aswat Al Iraq reported.

The terrorist attack occurred when a gunman blew up his explosive laden belt in the middle of the procession in Diyala's western Gatoun district.

On Sunday morning, at least 17 people, including six policemen, lost their lives in a massive bomb explosion in Iraq's western province of Anbar.

The blast took place near the provincial council building in the provincial capital of Ramadi, 70 miles (115 kilometers) west of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. At least 23 people were also wounded in the attack.

Ramadi police discovered a second bomb within a few minutes in a nearby parking lot and managed to detonate it in a safe area.

The violence comes days before the tenth day of Muharram, known as ‘Ashura,' which marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of the Prophet Mohammad's grandson, Imam Hussein (PBUH).

Every year on Ashura, millions of Muslims all over the world hold mourning ceremonies and many from across Iraq and neighboring countries head for the holy city of Karbala, where the shrine of Imam Hussein (PBUH) is located.

Iraq has deployed 30,000 police and security forces on all the ways leading to Karbala, which is located 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Baghdad.