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Suicide blasts hit Iraqi pilgrims Suicide blasts hit Iraqi pilgrims
(10 minutes later)
Twenty-five people have been killed and 52 wounded in suicide attacks against pilgrims in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, police say. Twenty-five people have been killed and about 52 wounded in suicide attacks against pilgrims in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, police say.
The attacks, carried out by women, targeted Shia Muslims heading for the Kadhimiya shrine in the north of the city for annual ceremonies.The attacks, carried out by women, targeted Shia Muslims heading for the Kadhimiya shrine in the north of the city for annual ceremonies.
The bombers struck as pilgrim convoys passed through the central Karrada district. The three bombers struck as pilgrim convoys passed through the central Karrada district.
The city has been under heavy security measures because of the pilgrimage.The city has been under heavy security measures because of the pilgrimage.
Despite the security, gunmen shot dead seven pilgrims in the southern outskirts of Baghdad on Sunday.Despite the security, gunmen shot dead seven pilgrims in the southern outskirts of Baghdad on Sunday.
Among the dead in Monday's attack were women and children, security and hospital officials told AFP news agency.Among the dead in Monday's attack were women and children, security and hospital officials told AFP news agency.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says that major gatherings for Shia religious ceremonies have frequently been the target for bomb attacks, blamed on Sunni extremists.The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says that major gatherings for Shia religious ceremonies have frequently been the target for bomb attacks, blamed on Sunni extremists.
Such attacks were a feature of the cycle of sectarian violence that gripped Iraq last year.Such attacks were a feature of the cycle of sectarian violence that gripped Iraq last year.
The attacks have been greatly reduced by US and Iraqi government forces taking action against Sunni-based insurgents on the one hand, and the Shia militias on the other.The attacks have been greatly reduced by US and Iraqi government forces taking action against Sunni-based insurgents on the one hand, and the Shia militias on the other.
More than a million worshippers are expected to attend the pilgrimage
But our correspondent says that stopping suicide bombers who move among crowds on foot, especially women wearing voluminous clothing, is particularly difficult.But our correspondent says that stopping suicide bombers who move among crowds on foot, especially women wearing voluminous clothing, is particularly difficult.
The pilgrimage, which commemorates the death of the revered eighth-century imam Musa al-Kadhim, will reach a climax on Tuesday and more than a million worshippers are expected.The pilgrimage, which commemorates the death of the revered eighth-century imam Musa al-Kadhim, will reach a climax on Tuesday and more than a million worshippers are expected.
The Iraqi military spokesman in Baghdad, Brig Gen Qassim al-Moussawi, told AP news agency that 100,000 Iraqi security forces were being deployed - along with US reinforcements and air support - to protect the ceremonies in Kadhimiya.
Security forces are using about 200 women volunteers to search female pilgrims, AP said.
Despite the bomb attacks, some Shia pilgrims were determined to continue with the ceremonies.
"Today we are going to visit the holy Shrine of Imam Kadhim. We pay no heed to bombings and death. We are believing in God," said Jassim Jihad.
In 2005 more than 900 people died in a stampede on the route to the shrine. The panic had been started by rumours of a suicide bomber in the crowd.In 2005 more than 900 people died in a stampede on the route to the shrine. The panic had been started by rumours of a suicide bomber in the crowd.