Friday, March 09, 2007
2.5 million pilgrims arrive in Karbala
Security
(Aljazeera) Around 2.5 million Shia pilgrims have reported to have arrived at the Iraqi holy city of Karbala after three days of attacks on pilgrims that have killed more than 150 people. Aqil Al-Khazali, the governor of Karbala, also said at least 10,000 policemen were on around-the-clock patrol in an unprecented security operation.
The Arbaeen religious festival will take place ahead of a planned international conference in Baghdad on Ira'q's situation. Rituals begin on Friday to mark the end of a 40-day mourning period commemorating the death of Imam Hussein, Prophet Muhammad's grandson, more than 1,300 years ago
The Arbaeen religious festival will take place ahead of a planned international conference in Baghdad on Ira'q's situation. Rituals begin on Friday to mark the end of a 40-day mourning period commemorating the death of Imam Hussein, Prophet Muhammad's grandson, more than 1,300 years ago
Labels: Al Arbayeen, Karbala, Shiite pilgrims
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Al-Sadr speaks out against U.S. and attacks on pilgrims
Politics, Security
(Middle East Online) Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose whereabouts remain a mystery three weeks after US commanders said he had fled to Iran, renewed his demand on Thursday that US forces should leave Iraq. In a message distributed by his office in Najaf to mark Friday's Arbaeen religious holiday, Sadr told his countrymen: "Raise your voices shouting 'No, no to America. No, no to Israel. Use this great occasion to demand the occupier leaves our dear Iraq so that we could live in independence and stability," said the statement, which was stamped with his seal but not signed in ink.
Last month a US military spokesman said that Sadr had left Iraq for Iran ahead of a large-scale Iraqi and US joint security operation, which has since netted several members of his Mahdi Army militia. Sadr office denies this, as does Tehran, but it has been many weeks since Sadr appeared in public or attended prayers at his mosque outside Kufa. Previous statements have expressed support for the Shiite-led government's security forces in the operation, but have demanded that they halt their close cooperation with US troops, whom Sadr calls "the enemy occupier".
Sadr's statement also condemned attacks over the past three days on Shiite pilgrims heading to the holy city of Karbala to mark Arbaeen, which have killed more than 150 people in a series of bombings and shootings.
"May God bless the souls of the marytrs and may those responsible for these despicable crimes burn in hellfire," he said. Nevertheless, the Shiite leader called for unity rather than revenge on Sunnis, telling Iraqis: "I beg God to unite you and distance you from the spectre of sedition and sectarian war."
Last month a US military spokesman said that Sadr had left Iraq for Iran ahead of a large-scale Iraqi and US joint security operation, which has since netted several members of his Mahdi Army militia. Sadr office denies this, as does Tehran, but it has been many weeks since Sadr appeared in public or attended prayers at his mosque outside Kufa. Previous statements have expressed support for the Shiite-led government's security forces in the operation, but have demanded that they halt their close cooperation with US troops, whom Sadr calls "the enemy occupier".
Sadr's statement also condemned attacks over the past three days on Shiite pilgrims heading to the holy city of Karbala to mark Arbaeen, which have killed more than 150 people in a series of bombings and shootings.
"May God bless the souls of the marytrs and may those responsible for these despicable crimes burn in hellfire," he said. Nevertheless, the Shiite leader called for unity rather than revenge on Sunnis, telling Iraqis: "I beg God to unite you and distance you from the spectre of sedition and sectarian war."
Labels: Al Arbayeen, Moqtada Al-Sadr, Shiite pilgrims
Bloodshed continues as 1 million pilgrims head for Karbala
Security
(AP) A suicide attacker blew himself up in a cafe northeast of the capital Wednesday, killing 30 people as a wave of violence left 90 Iraqis dead throughout the country. The bloodshed persisted as Iraqi security forces struggled to protect more than 1 million Shiite pilgrims streaming toward the holy city of Karbala for annual religious rituals that begin Friday. The pilgrims are facing a string of attacks along the way that have claimed at least 174 lives in two days — among 284 killed across Iraq since Tuesday.
Iraqi security forces have been bracing for more trouble this weekend at the climax of Shiite religious rites as hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims were streaming by bus, car and foot into Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, many of them marching behind banners affirming their reverence for Imam Hussein.
Iraqi security forces have been bracing for more trouble this weekend at the climax of Shiite religious rites as hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims were streaming by bus, car and foot into Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, many of them marching behind banners affirming their reverence for Imam Hussein.
In Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, Iraqi security forces set up a six-ring cordon around the two main Shiite shrines as the city swelled with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. Local Gov. Aqeel al-Khazalie said 10,000 policeman were deployed in the city, with pilgrims undergoing multiple searches at checkpoints before they reach the two major shrines, the focus of the weekend rites.
During the past two years, the Mahdi Army militia of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr watched over pilgrimages to Karbala. This year, the militia bowed to government pressure and put aside their arms to avoid any confrontation with U.S.-led forces during the Baghdad security crackdown.
With the militia on the sidelines, Shiite leaders have expressed anger that the Shiite-led government security force had failed to protect the marchers. Attacks against pilgrims have also sharpened sectarian tensions at a time when U.S. officials had hoped the Baghdad security operation would encourage Shiite, Sunni and Shiite leaders to come together in power-sharing agreements to end the crisis. Instead, new strains have emerged, not only between the rival Islamic sects but within the dominate Shiite political bloc itself.
With the militia on the sidelines, Shiite leaders have expressed anger that the Shiite-led government security force had failed to protect the marchers. Attacks against pilgrims have also sharpened sectarian tensions at a time when U.S. officials had hoped the Baghdad security operation would encourage Shiite, Sunni and Shiite leaders to come together in power-sharing agreements to end the crisis. Instead, new strains have emerged, not only between the rival Islamic sects but within the dominate Shiite political bloc itself.
Labels: Al Arbayeen, Karbala, Shiite pilgrims, suicide bomber
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Pilgrim death toll rises as attacks continue
Security, Insurgency
(Reuters) Insurgents ambushed Shi'ite Muslim pilgrims in southern Baghdad on Wednesday, killing five and wounding 10, a police source said, the day after scores of pilgrims died in a string of attacks. The ambush in the Doura area of the Iraqi capital occurred after nearly 150 pilgrims were killed in bombings and shootings on Tuesday. A double suicide bombing south of Baghdad killed up to 115 pilgrims in a busy street.
Crowds of pilgrims were out on the streets of Baghdad on Wednesday, undaunted by Tuesday's attacks, causing traffic jams as they headed on foot along major roads, conspicuous in their black clothing with white shrouds on their shoulders. Masses of Shi'ite pilgrims are heading to Kerbala on foot and by bus to commemorate Al Arbayeen, the end of a 40-day mourning period since Ashura, which marks the death of Prophet Mohammad's grandson in 680. Kerbala, one the holiest cities in Shi'ite Islam, lies 110 km (68 miles) south of Baghdad.
Hilla, scene of Tuesday's deadliest attacks, is nearby. Two suicide bombers strapped with explosives detonated themselves almost simultaneously there on Tuesday on a busy street lined with tents, set up to offer food, drink and resting areas for pilgrims on their journey. Local hospital officials said at 115 people were killed and 200 more wounded. Another source, Babel health department head Mohammed Abd-Radha al Hafaj, put the death toll at 105, of whom 35 were still unidentified.
Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki blamed Sunni militants and supporters of former President Saddam Hussein for the "barbaric crime," according to a statement from his office. Security in and around Kerbala is tight for fear of a repetition of suicide bombings and attacks on Shi'ite religious rituals by suspected Sunni insurgents of the sort that killed 171 people in Baghdad and Kerbala in March 2004.
Crowds of pilgrims were out on the streets of Baghdad on Wednesday, undaunted by Tuesday's attacks, causing traffic jams as they headed on foot along major roads, conspicuous in their black clothing with white shrouds on their shoulders. Masses of Shi'ite pilgrims are heading to Kerbala on foot and by bus to commemorate Al Arbayeen, the end of a 40-day mourning period since Ashura, which marks the death of Prophet Mohammad's grandson in 680. Kerbala, one the holiest cities in Shi'ite Islam, lies 110 km (68 miles) south of Baghdad.
Hilla, scene of Tuesday's deadliest attacks, is nearby. Two suicide bombers strapped with explosives detonated themselves almost simultaneously there on Tuesday on a busy street lined with tents, set up to offer food, drink and resting areas for pilgrims on their journey. Local hospital officials said at 115 people were killed and 200 more wounded. Another source, Babel health department head Mohammed Abd-Radha al Hafaj, put the death toll at 105, of whom 35 were still unidentified.
Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki blamed Sunni militants and supporters of former President Saddam Hussein for the "barbaric crime," according to a statement from his office. Security in and around Kerbala is tight for fear of a repetition of suicide bombings and attacks on Shi'ite religious rituals by suspected Sunni insurgents of the sort that killed 171 people in Baghdad and Kerbala in March 2004.
COMMENT: The attacks are likely to continue until the insurgents achieve their objective of provoking the Shias to the extent that Shia militias such as the Mahdi Army return to the streets and increase the cycle of sectarian murders. If the Mahdi Army return, they are likely to have to face the American troops which in turn will weaken the fragile alliance between the Shia government and the U.S. Additionally, the people are likely to lose faith in the government forces and their ability to provide protection as previously the Mahdi Army has provided a large amount of security quite succesfully. COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: Al Arbayeen, attacks, Karbala, Shiite pilgrims
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Shiite pilgrims attacked
Security
(AP) Shiite pilgrims came under attack again Tuesday, police said, with at least eight killed as they streamed south from Baghdad on foot toward a shrine ahead of a Muslim holiday this weekend. Worshippers were heading to Karbala, 50 miles south of the Iraqi capital, before Al Arbayeen - the holiday that marks the end of a 40-day mourning period after the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson. There were at least three shootings and three bomb attacks against groups of pilgrims making the journey Tuesday.
COMMENT: Due to the upcoming religious Shiite holiday of Al Arbayeen, there is likely to be increased traffic heading to Karbala. Further attacks can be expected. If large scale casualty attacks are employed using suicide bomber tactics (typically by Sunni insurgents), there are likely to be reprisals with the possibility of larger players such as the Mahdi Army stepping up attacks on Sunnis. This will be the reaction Sunni insurgents are trying to provoke. COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: Al Arbayeen, Karbala, Shiite pilgrims
