Shiite pilgrims pour into Ashura

IRAQ: Hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims descended on Iraq's holy shrine city of Karbala on Saturday for the climax of Ashura commemorations, despite fears of violent attacks by Sunni extremists.

As they poured into Karbala, violence across Iraq claimed the lives of nine people, including three worshippers killed when bombs struck separate Ashura procession in Baghdad.

Security forces have beefed up their presence in Karbala and authorities are also checking on the 60,000-odd foreign worshippers expected to attend the ceremonies to ensure they do not have swine flu.

Black flags, representing the sadness of Shiites during Ashura, were seen all over the central Iraqi city, south of Baghdad, along with pictures of Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas, who are both buried here.

Masses of pilgrims, most of them dressed in black, gathered around the Imam Hussein shrine in Karbala's Old City on Saturday evening.

Karbala,Sunday, AFP