Police: Bomb kills 3 Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad during religious observance

Bomb in Iraqi pilgrims’ tent kills 3

BAGHDAD — A roadside bomb killed three Shiite pilgrims in eastern Baghdad on Saturday, the latest round of violence to strike worshippers during a revered mourning observance.

Insurgents have targeted Shiite pilgrims, killing dozens and wounding more than 100 this week in an attempt to re-ignite sectarian violence.

In the most recent attack, a bomb was planted near a tent that offered drinks and food to pilgrims, a police official said. The blast injured 16, he said.

A medical official confirmed the casualties. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

Hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims are making their way to the southern holy city of Karbala for Ashoura. The ten-day mourning period culminates Sunday, marking the anniversary of the 7th century death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussein, who was killed in a battle near Karbala.

The outcome of the battle caused the split between Shiites and Sunni Muslims.

During Ashoura, pilgrims march through the streets beating themselves with fists and whips to demonstrate their grief.

Portions of the Ashoura observance were banned under former dictator Saddam Hussein, who barred walking to Karbala and other rituals.

Iraq’s government has deployed 25,000 security personnel in and around Karabla to protect the pilgrims.

An explosion Thursday in Hillah, south of Baghdad, killed 19 people at a busy bus terminal where pilgrims were gathering, police said. A children’s Ashoura procession was struck Friday in Baghdad’s Sadr City by a bomb that killed six and wounded 17.