Attacks against Shiite pilgrims

Five bomb attacks against Shiite pilgrims during an important ritual of that branch of islam left 21 dead and nearly 100 injured on Monday, another example of the enormous obstacles of security that beset to Iraq at a time in which United States is preparing to withdraw its troops. Holidaysu000du000a religious Shiites, like the period of mourning called Ashura, are white attacks every year by extremist Sunnis and especially hard evidence for the security forces have become Iraqis, which are still passed works to protect the population.

In the first attack on Monday, a bomb exploded between Shia pilgrims in Latifiyah, 30 kilometers (20 miles) South of the capital, killing two of them and wounding three, police said. A medical official confirmed the number of victims.

Hours later,u000du000a a car bomb exploded near a group of pilgrims in the city of Mahawil when they were heading to Karbala, and u000aHe left eight dead and 56 wounded, said police officials of the province of Babil.

Mahawil is 56 kilometers (35 miles) South of Baghdad. Other three attacks with explosives against Shiites in the capital killed 11 people and wounding 41, said the police.

All officials spoke on condition that keep anonymity because they are not allowed to talk to the press.

Theu000du000a Ashura marks the anniversary of the death in the 7th century Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. His death in a battle on the outskirts of Karbala established the historical division of islam between Shiites and Sunnis, affecting even the Middle East. To commemorate the death, Iraqi Shiites walking from around the country to Karbala.

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