Bomb attacks near Karbala kill at least 45 people
Baku, January 21 (AZERTAC). Two bomb attacks near the Iraqi holy city of Karbala have killed at least 45 people and injured more than 130, officials say.
The blasts occurred on two routes being used by pilgrims taking part in the Shia Muslim festival of Arbaeen.
About 150 people were wounded in the two explosions, which occurred on the outskirts of the city, 80 km (50 miles) south of Baghdad, on different roads, said Mohammed al-Moussawi, head of the Kerbala provincial council.
“Two cars parked outside the checkpoints to the city exploded at the same time,” Moussawi said.
Police and Interior Ministry sources in Baghdad said they had heard suicide bombers wearing explosive vests were involved.
The blasts occurred amid a surge in suicide bombings by suspected Sunni Islamist insurgents in mainly Sunni areas north of the capital in recent days, seen as testing Iraqi security forces ahead of the full withdrawal this year of U.S. forces.
Hundreds of thousands of Shi`ite pilgrims are pouring into Kerbala for Arbain, which marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.
Killed in a 7th Century battle, Imam Hussein is a central figure of Shi`ite Islam.
The pilgrims are often targeted by Sunni Islamist insurgents like al Qaeda, who view Shi`ites as apostates. The festival culminates on Tuesday.
About 120,000 Iraqi police and troops have been mobilized to protect the pilgrims, many of whom walk for days to Kerbala, where Imam Hussein is believed to be buried.
Violence in Iraq has reduced in recent years, but attacks continue.
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