25 killed as Shi'ite pilgrims targeted by suicide bomber, gunmen

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A suicide bomber struck Shiite pilgrims Sunday as they were taking a break during the days-long walk to a Shiite shrine south of Baghdad for a major religious gathering, killing at least 25 people and wounding 35. The attack in Iskandariyah was the second of the day against pilgrims traveling to the holy city of Karbala to mark Arbaeen, the end of 40 days of mourning following the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, one of two revered Shiite figures buried there. The suicide bomber detonated at a tent where pilgrims can stop and get something to eat and drink, police said. Earlier, extremists attacked another group of pilgrims in the predominantly Sunni Baghdad neighborhood of Dora, killing three and wounding 36, police said. Officers describing the attacks spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to release information.