Millions of Muslims Converge on Holy Karbala for Arbaeen

Millions of Muslim pilgrims are converging on the Iraqi holy city of Karbala to commemorate Arbaeen.
The event marks the conclusion of a 40-day mourning period after the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (a.s.), Prophet Muhammad's grandson and the third Shia Imam.

Around 120,000 police forces have been deployed in and around the city to try to bolster security for the event.

According to Iraqi officials, more than 7 million visitors are expected to arrive to the Holy city of Karbala today.

This comes as at least 12 people were killed and more than 30 others injured in two bomb explosions that ripped through a Karbala neighborhood on Monday.

The car bombs went off at a parking lot, destroying several nearby vehicles and buildings in the Al Ibrahimiyah area in eastern Karbala, police sources said.

Iraqi officials also reported six separate attacks in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on Sunday.

Imam Hussein and his 72 faithful companions were martyred in an unequal battle with the enemies of Islam in Karbala over 1300 years ago.