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| Fresh attacks hit Shia pilgrims | Fresh attacks hit Shia pilgrims |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Attacks on Shia Muslim pilgrims in Iraq are showing no signs of easing off, with at least 16 people killed on their way to the holy city of Karbala. | Attacks on Shia Muslim pilgrims in Iraq are showing no signs of easing off, with at least 16 people killed on their way to the holy city of Karbala. |
| Seven pilgrims died in a bomb blast in Doura in southern Baghdad, and one was killed by gunmen in the city centre. | Seven pilgrims died in a bomb blast in Doura in southern Baghdad, and one was killed by gunmen in the city centre. |
| Seven policemen guarding pilgrims were later killed by a car bomb in southern Baghdad. One pilgrim also died. | |
| On Tuesday, more than 100 people died when suicide bombers targeted a crowd of Shia pilgrims in the town of Hilla. | On Tuesday, more than 100 people died when suicide bombers targeted a crowd of Shia pilgrims in the town of Hilla. |
| Attacks on Shia worshippers have intensified as large numbers make their way to Karbala, south of the capital, for a religious commemoration on Saturday. | Attacks on Shia worshippers have intensified as large numbers make their way to Karbala, south of the capital, for a religious commemoration on Saturday. |
| 'Chance for paradise' | 'Chance for paradise' |
| US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad and coalition forces commander Lt Gen David Petraeus described the attack in Hilla, south of Baghdad, as a cowardly and brutal act against innocent, devout Iraqis. | US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad and coalition forces commander Lt Gen David Petraeus described the attack in Hilla, south of Baghdad, as a cowardly and brutal act against innocent, devout Iraqis. |
| Many pilgrims said they would continue their journey to Karbala - a large number of them on foot - despite the threat of further attacks. | Many pilgrims said they would continue their journey to Karbala - a large number of them on foot - despite the threat of further attacks. |
| Abbas Ali, 32, told the Associated Press news agency: "I'm wearing this card to identify me if I'm killed during the journey to Karbala." | Abbas Ali, 32, told the Associated Press news agency: "I'm wearing this card to identify me if I'm killed during the journey to Karbala." |
| Khadija Mouhsin told AP his brother had been killed last year en route to Karbala, but that he was determined to make the journey. | Khadija Mouhsin told AP his brother had been killed last year en route to Karbala, but that he was determined to make the journey. |
| "The terrorists give us the chance to go to paradise," he is quoted as saying. | "The terrorists give us the chance to go to paradise," he is quoted as saying. |
| Some Shia leaders blamed the government for not providing enough security, at a time when it had persuaded the powerful Mahdi Army militia to keep a low profile to avoid confrontation with US forces. | Some Shia leaders blamed the government for not providing enough security, at a time when it had persuaded the powerful Mahdi Army militia to keep a low profile to avoid confrontation with US forces. |
| In past years the militia has protected Shia pilgrims from attacks. | In past years the militia has protected Shia pilgrims from attacks. |
| But the US military is try to impose control over militia-dominated Shia Muslim areas, seen as a last attempt to prevent civil war in Iraq. | But the US military is try to impose control over militia-dominated Shia Muslim areas, seen as a last attempt to prevent civil war in Iraq. |