Iraqi forces arrest perpetrators behind distribution of ‘divisive leaflets’

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Iraqi Police announced on Friday the arrest of a group of individuals on charges of distributing ‘divisive leaflets’ among Arbaeen pilgrims.

In a statement, the Iraqi Federal Police said that their forces have arrested eight people who distributed leaflets among Arbaeen pilgrims in southwest of Baghdad, Alforat News reported.

The leaflets carry extremist thoughts and divisive aims and try to undermine the national unity of Iraq, reads the statement.

Perpetrators have been handed over to judicial officials, added the police.

In another security development related to Arbaeen ritual, Iraqi security forces said on Friday that they have managed to foil attacks against pilgrims in Diyala Governorate, seizing four explosive belts.

Arbaeen is annually commemorated by tens of thousands of Shia Muslims 40 days after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia Imam. Pilgrims march towards the Iraqi city of Karbala to perform mourning rites. This year, Arbaeen falls on September 27.

Various sections of the Iraqi government and military forces, including Hashd al-Shaabi, have been mobilized to ensure the security of the event.

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