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Security tight for Iraq pilgrims Security tight for Iraq pilgrims
(about 5 hours later)
A huge security operation is under way in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, ahead of a pilgrimage that is expected to draw more than a million Shia faithful. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims have converged in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on one of Shia Islam's holiest shrines, amid a big security operation.
Nearly 2,000 police and security agents are guarding the Kadhimiya mosque in northern Baghdad, and all traffic has been banned in the area. Nearly 2,000 Iraqi police and security agents are guarding the Kadhimiya mosque in the city's north, and local traffic has been banned until Saturday.
Each year many Shias walk to the shrine where the 8th Century saint, Imam Musa al-Kadhim, is said to be buried. Each year, a million pilgrims walk to the shrine where the 8th Century imam, Moussa al-Kadhim, is said to be buried.
Almost 1,000 pilgrims died in 2005 when rumours of an attack caused a stampede. In 2005, nearly 1,000 people died when rumours of an attack caused a stampede.
Many victims, mostly women, children or elderly, were crushed or drowned as panic spread that there were suicide bombers among the pilgrims.Many victims, mostly women, children or elderly, were crushed or drowned as panic spread that there were suicide bombers among the pilgrims.
At least 20 people were killed and dozens wounded at the festival last year, when militants shot at pilgrims from rooftops as they processed through mainly Sunni areas of Baghdad.
Tight security
Hundreds of thousands of Shia pilgrims made their way on foot to the famous golden-domed shrine of Moussa al-Kadhim on Thursday morning, many flogging themselves with iron chains or cutting their foreheads with swords.
Others chanted and beat their chests in mourning to commemorate the death in 799 of the seventh of the 12 imams. A symbolic green coffin was carried by some of the massive crowd.
Many had walked for days in intense summer heat from the Shia holy cities south of Baghdad to attend the festival.
"Of course, I am afraid. But, God willing, I will come home safe," Um Khaled told the Reuters news agency.
"I have made this pilgrimage every year, it will not stop me," she added.
Abd Sirhan, who had walked for two days from Aziziya, a town 80km south of the capital, said the pilgrims had been well protected by Iraqi police and soldiers.
"It is not like last year. This year it is secure," he said.
By 1400 (1000 GMT), Iraqi police said there had been comparatively few reports of violence, with three pilgrims being wounded by gunmen as they walked through the predominantly Sunni neighbourhood of Yarmouk in western Baghdad.
Undercover officersUndercover officers
More than 1,800 Iraqi police, including hundreds of security agents, have been deployed in and around the mosque, which is one of Shia Islam's holiest sites. Before the festival began, nearly 2,000 Iraqi police, including hundreds of security agents, were deployed in and around the mosque.
New checkpoints have been established in the area to deter possible insurgent attacks, especially in places where large crowds gather. New checkpoints have been established around the mosque
The Iraqi security forces also say they will be using undercover officers to mingle among the pilgrims. New checkpoints were established in the area to deter possible insurgent attacks, especially in places where large crowds were expected to gather.
American troops are keeping a low profile, staying away from the shrine out of religious sensitivity, the US military say. The Iraqi security forces also said they would deploy undercover officers to mingle among the pilgrims.
'Show of power' US troops have been keeping a low profile, staying away from the shrine out of religious sensitivity.
The mosque has long been a target of insurgents, the BBC's Andy Gallacher in Baghdad says.The mosque has long been a target of insurgents, the BBC's Andy Gallacher in Baghdad says.
Many Shias flog themselves during the pilgrimage These pilgrimages were banned under former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
The pilgrimage marks the death in 799 of Musa al-Kadhim, the seventh of 12 imams revered by Shias. But now they are something of a show of power for Shia Muslims in Iraq, our correspondent says.
On Thursday, more than a million pilgrims are expected to march to the mosque, many flogging themselves with iron chains or cutting their foreheads with swords.
These grieving rituals were banned under former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
But now they are something of a show of power for Shias in Iraq, our correspondent says.