Shiite pilgrims of Iraq and other countries flocked into Karbala, some 100 km South of Baghdad, and into Kadhmiyah in Northern Baghdad to commemorate Ashoura, which marks the martyrdom of Imam Hossein (PBUH), grandson of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and the third Shiite Imam, who was martyred and buried in Karbala in 680 AD.
Karbala provincial officials estimated that some 3 million pilgrims are commemorating Ashoura, about half a million are from Iran and other countries.
"More than 28,000 security forces including back up troops from the interior ministry (police) in Baghdad were sent to control the security of the city," military officials said earlier this week.
