FEMALE BOMBER KILLED OVER 54 NEAR BAGHDAD
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At least 54 people have been killed, on Monday 02/01/2010 at about 11:15, by a female suicide bomber in North-East Baghdad, an interior ministry spokesman has said.
The woman detonated an explosives vest among a group of pilgrims making the journey to Karbala, 80km from Baghdad. At least 106 other pilgrims were hurt in the attack. Troops and police are on alert during the pilgrimage.
The ShiaA pilgrims were marking Arbaeen, the end of 40 days of mourning for the death of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson.
Security has also been increased around the shrine of the revered Imam Hussein shrine in Karbala during the annual festival, which culminates on Friday. In recent years the pilgrimage has been the target of similar attacks, blamed on Sunni extremists.
Twelve months ago, 32 pilgrims were killed by a female suicide bomber near Baghdad (see – Baghdad 03.08.09). The attack comes amid heightened tension between Sunni and Shiaa groups ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for 03/2010.
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