| Submit your comments on this article |
| Iraq |
| Explosions jolt Iraqi capital |
| 2010-12-17 |
| [Iran Press TV] Five loud blasts have rocked the Iraqi capital of Storied Baghdad, but the number of likely casualties is yet to be known, a Press TV has reported. The incidents took place in the Iraqi capital on Thursday. Thursday coincides with Ashura, which marks the martyrdom of the third Shia Imam, Imam Hussein (PTUI!). The country maintains a tight security around the religious ceremonies, commemorating the martyrdom. The holy city of Karbala in central Iraq -- which houses the Shia Imam's shrine -- is currently swarmed with two million pilgrims, 238,000 of them from abroad, Karbala provincial council chief Mohammed al-Mussawi was quoted by AFP as saying. Around 28,000 soldiers and law enforcement agents are on duty in the city. Some 7,000 reserves could join the force if deemed necessary. Also on Thursday, several bombing attacks reportedly claimed the lives of two Iraqi pilgrims, injuring six others in the town of Dujail to the north of the capital Storied Baghdad, the News Agency that Dare Not be Named reported. |
| Posted by:Fred |