Holy Karbala Commemorates Ashura, Dozens Martyred

Local Editor

Shiite Muslims from around the world thronged the Holy city of Karbala on Thursday amid heavy security after attacks martyred 17 worshipers during the annual commemoration of Ashura often targeted by terrorists.
The bloodshed over the two days that mark the peak of Ashura struck across Iraq, with separate bombings targeting gatherings of pilgrims north of Baghdad, and a procession tent south of the capital.
Twin bombings in the town of Hafriyah, where worshippers were gathered at a tent, martyred at least nine people and wounded dozens of others on Thursday, while the previous day, eight people were martyred in three coordinated blasts targeting another group of worshipers, officials said.
A car bomb also targeted a man distributing food in the northern city of Kirkuk, leaving eight wounded on Wednesday.

Millions will make the pilgrimage, often on foot, to the Holy Iraqi city of Karbala, which is home to the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussein [PBUH].
Provincial authorities expect two million pilgrims, including 200,000 from outside Iraq, will have visited Karbala in the 10 days leading up to Ashura, with all of the city's hotels fully booked.

Security measures have been stepped up, with more than 35,000 soldiers and policemen currently deployed to Karbala and surrounding areas, with concentric security perimeters barring vehicles from entering the city while helicopters hover overhead.
The annual Muharram ceremonies, which have been performed for many centuries, symbolize the eternal and unwavering stance of truth against falsehood and humanity's struggle against injustice, tyranny and oppression, the cause for which Imam Hussein was martyred.

Source: News Agencies