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Iraq's Shiite pilgrims gather amid tight security after attacks

Arab World Materials 27 July 2010 13:58 (UTC +04:00)
Hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims gathered for a religious ceremony amid tight security in the Iraqi city of Karbala Tuesday, a day after two bombs killed 35 people.
Iraq's Shiite pilgrims gather amid tight security after attacks

Hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims gathered for a religious ceremony amid tight security in the Iraqi city of Karbala Tuesday, a day after two bombs killed 35 people, DPA reported.

Some 30,000 troops and police forces were deployed in the city, 118 kilometres south of the capital Baghdad as pilgrims prepared to mark the anniversary of the birth of revered 9th century leader, Imam al-Mahdi in the evening.

Since the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime in the US-led invasion of Iraq 2003, such gatherings in the Shiite holy city have frequently been targeted in sectarian violence.

At least 35 people were killed and dozens injured in two attacks within 300 metres of each other just outside Karbala city centre on Monday.

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