Baghdad: 20 killed, 230 hurt in attack on Shi'ites

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Sniper attacks on a major Shi'ite religious procession Sunday killed at least 20 pilgrims and injured 230 in several Baghdad districts, officials said. Four alleged gunmen were shot dead by police. The attacks took place from roof tops of buildings and houses along the route of the procession as it wound its way to the shrine of Imam Moussa Kadhim, an 8th century saint, in Kazimiyah in north Baghdad. At least 20 people were killed and 230 injured "due to terrorist assaults against the pilgrims" in Fadhil, Haifa and Saligh districts, all predominantly Sunni, Health Ministry spokesman Qassim Allawi told The Associated Press. The toll could rise, he said. Other police officials said security forces killed two snipers in Fadhil and shot dead two armed insurgents in the mixed neighborhood of Zafraniyah when they tried to mingle with the crowd.